Echinacea from seed - worth growing early?

[faerieprincess]

I have some Echinacea Bravado seed, and want to sow the seeds this year. At the moment, however, I'm getting all of my other seeds going indoors and don't have a lot of room - I only have window sill space and some cold frames outside, no greenhouse.

Should I bother trying to squeeze them in now or just wait another couple of months when I get this lot of seedlings outside and will have more room? How much extra growth would a few months actually give me, given I won't get flowers until next year, anyway? Would the extra growth make them more likely to get through the winter? (I am growing them in pots as I am renting and don't know whether I will be here next year and I want to enjoy them, not leave them for the next tenant!

[srodders]

I grew E. Purpurea by seed and if planted early enough (i.e. now) they will flower in the first year. Not sure if Bravado are different though. I fyou are not bothered about flowering this year though it would be better to leave it a month or two to get a bigger plant next year with more flowers on.

[faerieprincess]

Hmm, so they could flower this year? Maybe worth juggling some seedlings around and getting a few sprouting early - worth a try!

Thanks!!!

[kirsty b]

've got some echinacea seed that I wanted to start this week too. I hope it flowers this year I do prefer perennials mostly anyways.

[zazen999]

I can never get them to germinate in soil - but they did germinate using the kitchen roll method - so I'm going to try some today.

[greendean]

better to let perennials develop a good root system this year for a better, stronger plant next year. even though many claim to be first year flowering i always prune out any flowers

[faerieprincess]

Really? Hmm, that does make sense. I might leave it a little bit then - they will need to survive a move to a new house next year, and even though they will be in pots they will probably get knocked around a little bit. Thanks greendean!