Powwow® Wild Berry Echinacea

Worth the wait!

I purchased one packet and had about 80% germination rate, which I consider good for perennial seeds, which always have slower and more challenging germination rates. I love these flowers so much that I later bought another packet to germinate and give to gardening friends. Same success rate the second time. The first packet was planted in starter soil and germinated on a heat mat under plant lights. The second packet was also planted in starter soil, but germinated outdoors in a sunny location since my Pacific Northwest weather had warmed up. They must be watered daily to prevent losing these tiny baby plants. The bottom line is this perennial seed and most perennial seeds take a great deal of patience and time. They germinate slowly and the growth rate is also slow in comparison to veggie seeds or annual flower seeds. When tiny green leaves finally appear they are fragile and require TLC. Over or under watering will result in loss and slugs or other pests may destroy them if placed in the garden too soon, when leaves are young and tender. The attached photo shows two months of growth, not quite ready for the garden unless you can protect them from pests. One should expect to nurture these precious baby plants for several months before placing them in the garden and anticipate another couple of months before flower buds appear. After that, you will be blessed with these perennial beauties in subsequent years.

No luck germinating

I seeded as per the packet instructions but none have germinated after two rounds of planting.