I don't know of any trick for speeding up the growing of hellebores from seed. Given that they seed all over our garden we just lift some of the seedlings and pot up then leave them to get on with it. Of course as they are al hybrids we've no idea until they get to flowering size whether they are going to look good or not.

Freshly sown seed germinates best. Prick out either as soon as they get their first true leaves or wait until they are well established. In between these two times they resent disturbance. Basically there is little one can do to speed up the time it takes for them to grow to flowering size.

Thanks Moon growe....thats a good point about not knowing what they are going to look like until they flower, I hadn't really thought about that (you can tell I'm new to this!!).

and Thanks Owdboggy, I knew they were'nt happy being disturbed....but I didn't know when.

I think I'll still give them a go and see what turns out.