[hubballi]

I planted some echinacea seedlings about a month ago on J Innes No1 in the greenhouse. So far nothing has come up. I have dug some seeds up to have a look and they are still the same. One has a tiny sprout.

Should I give up or do they take a long time ?

[Hey Jude]

If they don't seem to be doing much I'd cover them with a plastic bag and stick them in the airing cupboard if you've got one, sometimes they need a bit of extra heat to get them going (or use a heated propagator if you have one). If you get some signs of life then put them on a window sill for a couple of days then back to the greenhouse. Make sure they're not completely wet or they'll rot off.

[Trillium]

Of all the seeds I've grown, I've had the least luck with echinacea (followed by lavender seeds). My solution was to simply buy an echinacea plant and set it in place, then sprinkle some echinacea seeds around it and water. Left to their own, they all sprouted beautifully and now I am swamped in echinacea and will have to move some plants.

[viettaclark]

I also had problems and sowed twice but eventually got several little plants in 3" pots. That's when I realised they don't flower til the next year so potted on and planted out the next spring.
Now, a year later The original plants have spread and I let them seed so I've got loads!
Which is fine 'cos I love 'em.....