Aconitum - Lots of people have trouble with these from commercial seed, Clothier notes seeds are short viable. A warm moist period preceding cold moist seems to help. Aquilegia vulgaris - can have erratic germination and may take several months at 40F Rodgersia - don't cover seed, may take 14 - 60 days at 60F Caltha - 'Marsh marigold' - I direct sow fresh seed in Fall Gentiana asclepiadea and seems recommended for most - warm, cold, cool germinator, barely cover seed if at all Stylophorum diphyllum - Sow 41F, germination irregular, often several months - which makes it an easy self sower here with our mild wet Fall and Winter into Spring

Just_me: Last year was my first year, and I put my containers in several spots, some being in full sun, just to see what worked best. The containers didn't care where they were, they all grew equally. The only difference I found was that the ones in full sun dried out a lot quicker, and if I didn't either take the top off during the day if it got too warm they fried. I too would wait until they get their first true leaves. They will be a little stronger come plant out time. Good luck!

we planted a BUNCH last year and got 90+% germination. I am in zone 4 so your mileage may vary slightly: 1) peel off the flesh. This is gross and smelly. Do it outside and wear gloves because the flesh has the active ingredient of poison ivy in it! 2) soak seeds in water for a day, scar the coating (nail file or something to provide easier exit for seed as it grows), and finally a 10 min bleach rinse to prevent mold (this is a weak like maybe 2-5% solution - straight bleach would be bad) 3) cold stratify your seeds. This is fairly standard... basically I put them in an OPEN ziploc bag full of damp sand or peat moss. You want the bag not dripping wet (mold) and not too dry or the seeds will dry out. Place the bag in your fridge until spring. 4) in the spring, bring them out and plant them. Be PATIENT! I was concerned it didn't work when I planted in March. But they FINALLY came up months later in like June. Mileage may vary based on seed source - some might need to go back in fridge for a month or two. On the cold stratification - it worked for me, but there is also a thought that you can just plant them, or maybe scar the coating (scarification) and then plant directly. I didn't try this. some links: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc368/student/papers02/jpaulson/ginkgopropagation.html See the attached link below. It is my favorite gingko site. The guy is obviously CRAZY about ginkgos! Here is a link that might be useful: crazy dutch guy grows ginkgos

Have they been stored in your refrigerator dry? Chilled while dry does nothing to break seed dormancy. The usual recommendation for hellebore seed that has been allowed to dry instead of being sown immediately - Pour hot water over seeds, let soak 1-3 days until swelling noticeable. Sow at 71ºF for 6 wks or more (you can do this by putting them in a bit of moist sterile sand or vermiculite in a small zip lock bag and leaving that on your desk if you wish). Then give them a moist chill for 6-8 wks (approx 40F). Then raise the temperature to cool - 50ºF. If no germination in 4-6 wks, repeat the cycle from the beginning.