AbstractThis paper discusses the different strategies for delaying seed germination to improve chances of seedling establishment through matching germination time with suitable environmental conditions to maximize establishment success, and risk-spreading, which results in some seeds germinating while others wait in case conditions are not good enough. Environments were divided into three main categories: those that are constantly favourable for germination and seedling establishment; those in which favourable conditions occur at predictable times; and those in which favourable times for germination are unpredictably distributed.