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Colchicum autumnale

Autumn Crocus · Meadow Saffron · Naked Ladies

Family ColchicaceaeGenus Colchicum

A tight group of lilac-pink goblet flowers on pale stems, rising leafless out of dead leaves and grass
FlowerStemonitisPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
BulbExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
6-8 in15-20 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-8 in15-20 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
FallExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Hardiness zones
4-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Worth knowing

  • Called naked ladies because the flowers come up long before the leaves. Its corms contain colchicine, used to treat gout and to breed polyploid plants. Wikipedia: Colchicum autumnale
  • Toxic, and not a true crocus. Despite the name meadow saffron, it is not the source of saffron. Wikipedia: Colchicum autumnale

Protocol

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 42 days.

33% germination in 42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121Public domain
Show the original text
Colchicum (Llliaceae). Germination was hypogeal in the two species studied. Germination occurred at 40 and the seedlings must be kept at 40 for a month after radicle development is complete and until the true leaf begins to emerge before the shift to 70. C. autumnale germ. 70-40(2/6 in 6th w)-70 and none when sown at 40 after four cycles. A second sample was received in August and had presumably .been DS for 9 m. This germ. 319 on December 1. Outdoor treatment needs to be further studied.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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