I did the same thing with some echinacea prairie sun seed that I bought late. They are now about 1/4" tall, after being out of the fridge for about a week. I sowed mine in a small pot, watered, and stuck in a ziplock, then in the fridge. Took them out, and left in the baggy until they sprouted then removed baggy.
Tammy

Mine isn't the voice of experience but I think the plants themselves have to go dormant for a winter before they produce flowers. They (Echinacea) don't need cold stratification so simulating winter for the seeds isn't required for germination. I hope you get flowers but don't want you to be disappointed if the plants don't flower until next season. I'm fairly certain the sleep/creep/leap adage about perennials applies to Echinacea. Good luck!!

I agree with gardenweed, the actual plant/roots have to go through cold and not just the seed. if you look up 'critical vernalization period +echinacea' or something along those lines you should be able to find the minimum temperature and length of time the plant needs before it is triggered to flower.

I think you still have to wait for year 2 for flowers. I planted lots of them the WS method last summer and this year they are all coming back and I am exctied to see the flowers!

Karen

The seeds have to be moist for refrigerator temps to help at all, dry in the packet doesn't count towards a chill. Most echinacea will sprout without a chill but not all of them.

echinacea sown/germinated early enough will sometimes put out a bloom or two the first year (again, depends on which one) but not a real showing....just maybe enough to see what the flower color/type will be like, a little tease.

Now I really feel stupid,lol. After rereading this post, I realize i made a mistake. I said "echinacea" prairie sun, when in fact its rudbeckia irish spring. I am constantly mixing up rudbeckia and echinacea names.Dont know why. The only Echinacea I have grown from seed were purple coneflower and white swan, and that was a few yrs ago, and I just direct sowed.Hope I didnt totally confuse you. I am surprised no one caught me on this,lol.
Tammy