Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale), packet of 50 seeds

$3.95

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

In stock

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  1. Question

    Josh Daley (verified owner)

    This might sound elementary but for stratifiying these, are they soaked for a certain amount of time before the stratification process? I germinate pinus balforiana and poppy with cold strat but I begin the process with soaking.

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Josh,
      Pre-soaking usually works best on fast germinating seeds. For long germinators such as colchicum it is sufficient to stratify in moist medium.
      Richo

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  2. Question

    Dave Kuiawa

    Do you have an in-expensive way to ship these seeds to me in Pennsylvania? Like first class US Postal service?

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  3. Richo Cech

    Admin Richo Cech

     Colchicum flower at a time of year when most other garden plants are going to seed, and as such can be gainfully employed to add color and interest to borders and beds. The flowers are light purple, large chalices that rise up unexpectedly and disappear almost as quickly, their wilted remains like deflated balloons left over after the birthday party. The flowers rise up from the soil to a height of only about 6 inches, so it is best to plant the corms near the edge. Corms sold for propagation are usually quite expensive, so it makes sense to grow the plant from seed. 

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