I heard from the trader, who tells me the seeds went directly into cold moist storage, upon harvest, so other than the few days in transit to me, they haven't had warm moist stratification.

I've sown them, and will keep them indoors for a month, and hope there's enough cool weather left after that for germination. If not, I can keep them until next spring.

Donn, 45 days warm moist might be a better choice than 28...

That's a shame the person sending them didn't leave them on a counter or desk before popping them into a chill. On the chance you do have a long period before germination and they don't germinate until next year, a layer of grit on top the seed pot will help to discourage moss or algae. If you don't have grit, you can pick up a box of bird (parakeet) gravel in the pet section of your grocery store.

Thanks, morz8. I'll keep them indoors until the end of February. I'm on the hunt for a used fridge, so maybe I'll get lucky and find one before the weather warms up.

SWMBO has offered me her old fridge...if I buy her a new one. ;>)

Donn: I grew hellebore seedlings using the wintersow method. It took a full year for germination, but it worked fine. I put them in a sturdy container with a lid and left in a dappled shade area where they would get regular watering.

I posted a seedling pic on this gallery and in the Winter Sow gallery.

Lisa