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Trillium from seed?

11 years ago

I have a wonderful collection of T. grandiflora that came with the house. They are very happy here and are even producing seedling volunteers. I'm wondering if I can collect seed, plant them and get even more seedlings. I know the process is slow, but will it work, if done correctly, and what is "correctly?" I just read a thread about people poaching native flowers from national parks, and I'd like to replenish the supply, if possible.

Martha

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Comments (3)

docmom_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Never mind. I just did a search and I think I will just toss the seeds onto the ground and let nature do it's thing. As long as there are leaves to maintain some moisture, the seeds have a better chance of germinating on their own. It takes seven years for a seed to bloom, and then only if everything works perfectly. When you see one of these in bloom, it really is some kind of miracle. Also, a mature plant can live for forty years! We humans are in too much of a hurry.

Martha
Lynda Waldrep
11 years ago
You gave yourself good advice. I am fairly good at growing things from seed, but Trilliums have not been one of them. However, out in the natural area, they replenish themselves quite well. Knowing what that first leaf looks like keeps you from pulling them up. Of course, I am not a gardener, really, so I only pull up what I KNOW is something "bad." Newest one I learned to ID: oriental bittersweet. Birds must bring it in.
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From what I found, it not neither illegal to dig them up nor is it to pick the flowers. Growing un in Ontario, I've always had people telling me its illegal to do anything to a trillium as its the provinvial flower. It's just not right, in my opinion, to be digging them out of the wild, or picking the flowers. Some say it sets the plant back as far as seven years when you pick the flower. I know there is a wil plant nursery where they sell all sort sof native plants and even lady's slippers, but they are really expensive. I just don't think $20 is worth it for a trillium granduflora. sI plan on buying some cheap ones at walmart to see if they can grow, I'll be more than happy to sernd you a plant (they come in packs of three) when i get them...
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Case claims, in his reference book on trillium, that green seed will sometimes germinate without going through the winter cold period. He also notes that mature seed germinates the first year but that the growth occurs underground so that the seedlings are not visible. I received T. ovatum seed from another GW member and got a pretty good stand of seedlings after one year but T. albidium did not emerge this spring so it will take the full two years. You may want to consider putting a baggy over ripening seed pods about this time of year to prevent their abcising and being scattered by the ants.
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Matt Webster
11 years ago
I think I destroyed some in my vigilance in getting rid of poison ivy. I'll be trying to reestablish them once I get my poison ivy problem somewhat managed.

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