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Colchicum bulbocodium

Spring Meadow Saffron

Family ColchicaceaeGenus Colchicum

Several lilac-pink flowers with very narrow pointed petals and orange anthers, open among dry brown leaves
FlowerJames SteakleyCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
Bulb, PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
6-9 in15-25 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-9 in15-25 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, Red/Burgundy, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
FallExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, NW. Balkan Pen., North Caucasus and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good DrainageExtension 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; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Spring meadow saffron is an alpine bulb of the mountains of Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. Its flowers are considered ideal for the rock garden, where it looks best planted en masse. Wikipedia: Colchicum bulbocodium

This source reports 5 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around May 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 30, 2026.

  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

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 70 days.

83% germination in 49–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108Public domain
Show the original text
Bulbocodium (Llliaceae). B. vernum germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40-70- 40(5/6 in 7-10 w). Germination is hypogeal. It is best to keep the seedlings at 40 until the true leaf is well started before shifting to 70. Fresh seed sown at 40 germ. 40-70- 40-70-40(1/6). DS is not tolerated well as shown by 40-70(1/3) and 70(none) for seed 05 6 m at 70 and 70-40(1/4) and 40(none in 2 y of alternating cyles) for seed DS 6 m at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108. 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.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 10, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 180 days to germinate.

33% germination in 180 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108Public domain
Show the original text
Bulbocodium (Llliaceae). B. vernum germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40-70- 40(5/6 in 7-10 w). Germination is hypogeal. It is best to keep the seedlings at 40 until the true leaf is well started before shifting to 70. Fresh seed sown at 40 germ. 40-70- 40-70-40(1/6). DS is not tolerated well as shown by 40-70(1/3) and 70(none) for seed 05 6 m at 70 and 70-40(1/4) and 40(none in 2 y of alternating cyles) for seed DS 6 m at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108. 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.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 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

about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

33% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108Public domain
Show the original text
Bulbocodium (Llliaceae). B. vernum germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40-70- 40(5/6 in 7-10 w). Germination is hypogeal. It is best to keep the seedlings at 40 until the true leaf is well started before shifting to 70. Fresh seed sown at 40 germ. 40-70- 40-70-40(1/6). DS is not tolerated well as shown by 40-70(1/3) and 70(none) for seed 05 6 m at 70 and 70-40(1/4) and 40(none in 2 y of alternating cyles) for seed DS 6 m at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108. 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.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

25% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108Public domain
Show the original text
Bulbocodium (Llliaceae). B. vernum germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40-70- 40(5/6 in 7-10 w). Germination is hypogeal. It is best to keep the seedlings at 40 until the true leaf is well started before shifting to 70. Fresh seed sown at 40 germ. 40-70- 40-70-40(1/6). DS is not tolerated well as shown by 40-70(1/3) and 70(none) for seed 05 6 m at 70 and 70-40(1/4) and 40(none in 2 y of alternating cyles) for seed DS 6 m at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108. 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.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

17% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108Public domain
Show the original text
Bulbocodium (Llliaceae). B. vernum germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40-70- 40(5/6 in 7-10 w). Germination is hypogeal. It is best to keep the seedlings at 40 until the true leaf is well started before shifting to 70. Fresh seed sown at 40 germ. 40-70- 40-70-40(1/6). DS is not tolerated well as shown by 40-70(1/3) and 70(none) for seed 05 6 m at 70 and 70-40(1/4) and 40(none in 2 y of alternating cyles) for seed DS 6 m at 40.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Bulbocodium p. 108. 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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