Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale), packet of 50 seeds

Family:  Lily (Liliaceae)

Hardy to Zones 4 to 9

(Naked Ladies, Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus, Suranjan) Cormous herbaceous perennial monocot native to Europe.   Traditional usage (TWM): low dose botanical or homeopathic, gout and rheumatism. Source of alkaloidal colchicine.  Plant prefers a sunny exposure and likes moist soils.  Plant remains dormant much of the year, produces blossoms in the autumn followed by the leaves.  Sow in pots.  Sprinkle seed on surface of soil in pot and cover with 1/2 inch of coarse, sharp sand or the kind of grit that is sold (cheaply) at farm supply stores for chickens.  Make sure the seed is buried to a sufficient depth, because light retards germination.  Allow the pots to be out in the shade house or unheated greenhouse.  In the autumn, water very thoroughly, and the seeds will make roots at this time. If you would like to speed this process, stratify at 68 degrees F for 8 weeks, then lower temp to 50  to 60 degrees F for germination.  Seeds will make aerial sprouts in the spring.  Hypogeal germinator.  Allow seedlings to grow at close spacing for a year, then transplant the small corms to their beds or individuate into pots and work up that way.  They will swell and increase.  Space 6 inches apart, or cluster the plantings, which is the way the plant often occurs in nature.

50 seeds/pkt. Open Pollinated, untreated, no gmo’s