I was sent some very fresh seed of this species by a kind forum member last year: (the seed doesn't keep well). I sowed some in pots with mixed meadow grass seed, and have quite a few coming up now. The seed germinates after the first decent frost, but the cotyledons don't show until about March.
The rest I sowed in my front garden at the same time as I cut the long grass which is partly managed as a hay as a meadow with bulbs and Rhinanthus minor to keep the vigorous grasses down.
I was very pleased to spot some young Melampyrum popping up amongst the Rhinanthus yesterday. Looking forward to seeing if I can keep it going every year...
Melampyrum x 2 on the right, Rhinanthus on the left
