![]() To treat coneflower seeds to these conditions, you have a few options. Coneflower seeds exposed to 40 degrees F for about two months show dramatically improved germination rates. While the seeds of coneflowers don’t require this dormancy-breaking period of cold temperatures in order to germinate like many other perennials do, you will see a great improvement in the germination rates by treating the seeds with a cold-moist stratification. The seeds cannot germinate until they have been exposed to a prolonged period of cold temperatures and moist conditions. Essentially, many perennials have a hard seed coat and genetic programming that prevents the seeds from germinating at the wrong time (say, during a mid-winter warm spell). ![]() Once you have the seeds, there are a few different methods you can use to improve your chances of success and increase the rate of seed germination.Ī process called cold-moist stratification is required for seeds of many different perennials to break dormancy. You can collect the seed off of your own plants or the plants of a friend, or purchase coneflower seeds from any number of seed companies. With the right technique, coneflowers are easy to grow from seed. Potted coneflowers are common finds at local nurseries and garden centers, but if you have a large area to fill with these colorful perennials or if you like a good gardening challenge, you might consider growing them from seed instead of purchasing plants. There are many other species of Echinacea too, each of which has its own unique traits. While the straight species of this plant is my personal favorite, there are many cultivars and varieties that produce blooms in a broad diversity of colors, including white, yellow, orange, and red. Known botanically as Echinacea purpurea, this North American native perennial produces colorful magenta blooms in late summer and is a butterfly and bee magnet. ![]() View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.Purple coneflowers are a favorite among many gardeners. Pay careful attention to watering in their new outdoor location and be sure to mulch adequately to protect their roots.They will be ready to transplant into the garden in about 12 weeks or when they are fully rooted in their individual cells. Mix a small amount of liquid seaweed and fish emulsion into the water to fertilizer. To water, lift the pots to feel if they’re light and bottom water.Start with an hour of sun and gradually move them into more sun as they grow. After a couple of weeks or so, consider moving them outside in a protected morning sun/afternoon shade location. Mist the leaves of your new transplants with a liquid seaweed and fish emulsion mix right after transplanting and repeat daily two or three times. Plant individual seedlings into a cell of the bedding pack using the germinating mix and place on a sunny windowsill. Once the seedlings have filled the cells of the bedding packs and their roots have grown to the sides of the soil, they are ready to transplant.Water when the container feels light by setting it into a shallow pan of water and letting the soil-less mix soak it up (bottom watering). You shouldn’t need to water them until after the seeds have germinated and it’s time to remove the plastic bag. The seeds will begin to germinate in about 7 to 10 days. Put the bedding packs into an inflated plastic bag on a bright window sill. Cover lightly with about an eighth of an inch of the germinating mix and gently firm. Then sow the Echinacea seeds onto the surface of the germinating mix, taking care not to overlap them onto each other. First, fill the bedding packs with the germinating mix and water thoroughly.Soggy pots with too much soil-less mix will rot out young seedlings. Plastic quart yogurt containers or milk cartons are too large! A smaller, shallower container is easiest to maintain even moisture. I like to use bedding plant packs as they are not too deep or too wide. Use a soil-less seed germinating mix, not real soil, and sow the seeds into small containers.To plant outdoors, use our Wildflower Seed Planting Guide. The seeds require no pre-treatment (like cold stratification or scarification). ![]() Starting Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) from Seed IndoorsĮchinacea are easy-to-germinate and their seedlings are easy-to-grow.
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