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columbine seed planting

18 years ago

Yesterday I collected a large number of columbine seeds from plants with mature pods. Can these seeds be immediately replanted and if so, is there time enough left during this season for them to sprout this year. We live at 7600 ft. elevation with about six weeks of summer left.

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Comments (7)

bakemom_gw
18 years ago
I can't answer your question regarding your specific environment, but here in good old Columbus, Ohio, I just scatter and forget. I know that a lot of people winter sow them, so perhaps you might want to check out the Winter Sowing Forum for more info. Seems there were some elevated gardeners there.

Good luck.
magus
18 years ago
Columbines self-seed all the time, so sow away! Fresh columbine seeds need a cold period to germinate, though, so they won't germinate this year, for the most part. Older seeds seem to be able to germinate without a cold period, though, so a few could germinate this year. I find they are quite slow germinators, and require about a month of warm (after the cold period) before they germinate.
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There have been posters in the past who have successfully grown plants like that in windowboxes. I think the key is good soil in the container and appropriate amount of sun and water (and obviously fertilizing can help). The case for foxgloves might be a possible exception considering how tall they grow. However if you have a deep box and stake them, you might do just fine. I think the question for you is that if you plant seeds now, would the plant be mature by your first frost? This is assuming you are going to try for something this season. There are many many plants that grow just fine in windowboxes that can be started from seed and an as example, wax begonias, which are tender perennials, can be overwintered indoors by a sunny window and put back outside in summer (I have a 6" pot of some that are on their 3rd year). I've also done the same with geraniums (ie., pelargoniums) and many people do it with coleus (I am trying that for the first time this year).
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Hi- I'd love some of your seeds, I have fresh Sweet William & Dianthus, both very fragrant- want to trade? or check out my list & see if there's anything else you might prefer! LMK! Thanks, kasha77
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My 'black barlow' has seeded around well. Most of them are similar to the parent. Some are more purple than black, and they usually have the multiple layers, like the parent. I also have a Nora Barlow seedling, which has multiple layers, but not as many. Her seedlings are mixed, some double or triple and some single. One of my 'black barlow' seedlings that just bloomed has really neat almost burgundy petals and bright yellow anthers. They are double, but the flower doesn't look like the other Barlows. Seeds of columbine aren't always "true" to the parents, but the "accidents" are sometimes cool. I'll try and get a picture tomorrow. (my daughter appropriately calls them "mystery flowers") Not that any of this is helpful or answers the question... I've found that broadcasting seeds of columbine gets you plenty of seedlings. However, for best results I would broadcast some and wintersow the rest. And it probably goes without saying, but don't mulch over your seeds.
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I'll have a whole bunch of columbine seeds in the next couple of weeks. Mostly the natives (red and yellow), but some purples and purple and white doubles. They come up very easily in good garden soil without mulch. They usually bloom the following year. Columbines don't last for more than a couple of years, but they just keep migrating throughout my garden. It's really fun waiting to see what color the new plants will be. Let me know if you want any seeds.
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Hollywog
18 years ago
will something eat them before they have a chance to germinate? i stuck some about 1/4 inch down in the ground a few weeks ago along with some Japanese toad lily seeds. Will they last until they can be overwintered, or will they rot?
susanzone5 (NY)
18 years ago
Surface sow them...on top of the ground. Winter weather will put them at the right depth for germination.
User
18 years ago
I agree with Susan--I direct surface sow in spring as soon as the snow melts off the bed, or in fall before snow. The only problem with the fall sowing is that if you need to rake out the bed come spring, you'll lose some seeds.
bakemom_gw
18 years ago
I guess the partial answer to that is sow a ton. Luckily the plant produces a ton. If I had a limited amount of seed from a trade or something, I would winter sow. (in containers pursuant to forum instructions).

I have read where folks sow on top of the snow and let ma nature "plant" when the snow melts. I guess you would run into potential critter problems and spring raking problems there as well, but it's interesting nonetheless.
jqpublic
16 years ago
Ok so I think I am going to put the seeds in the freezer for a week and sow soon. Would that be a bad idea? They are burpee seeds and I'm having luck with everything else I've sowed from Burpee this spring. What do y'all think?

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