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Scilla bifolia

Alpine Squill · Two-leaf Squill

Family AsparagaceaeGenus Scilla

Two clusters of pale blue star flowers with dark anthers, on short stems between broad strap leaves, over dry grass.
FlowerFlorian GrossirCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Flower
Deep violet-blueWikipedia
Native range
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

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

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

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 September 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 9, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 28 days.

76% germination in 14–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212Public domain
Show the original text
Scilla (Liliaceae). S. bifolia germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 70 in 40(70% in 2-4 w)-70(6%)- 40(2%). The seedlings must remain at 40 for the full 3 m cycle. If shifted to 70 too quickly, the cotyledons fail to develop. Curiously, germination failed completely if the 05 seed were sown at 70. Fresh seed gave a different pattern and a more extended germination as shown by 70-40(64%)-70(21%)-40-70(2%)-40-70(2%) and 40-70(1%)- 40(76% in 2-4 w)-70(2%). Seed 05 6 m at 40 gave an intermediate behavior as shown by 70-40(34%)-70(11%)-40-70 and 40(52%)-70(22%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212. 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 September 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 9, 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

    6 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 28 days.

70% germination in 14–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212Public domain
Show the original text
Scilla (Liliaceae). S. bifolia germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 70 in 40(70% in 2-4 w)-70(6%)- 40(2%). The seedlings must remain at 40 for the full 3 m cycle. If shifted to 70 too quickly, the cotyledons fail to develop. Curiously, germination failed completely if the 05 seed were sown at 70. Fresh seed gave a different pattern and a more extended germination as shown by 70-40(64%)-70(21%)-40-70(2%)-40-70(2%) and 40-70(1%)- 40(76% in 2-4 w)-70(2%). Seed 05 6 m at 40 gave an intermediate behavior as shown by 70-40(34%)-70(11%)-40-70 and 40(52%)-70(22%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212. 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 High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  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

    21 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

64% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212Public domain
Show the original text
Scilla (Liliaceae). S. bifolia germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 70 in 40(70% in 2-4 w)-70(6%)- 40(2%). The seedlings must remain at 40 for the full 3 m cycle. If shifted to 70 too quickly, the cotyledons fail to develop. Curiously, germination failed completely if the 05 seed were sown at 70. Fresh seed gave a different pattern and a more extended germination as shown by 70-40(64%)-70(21%)-40-70(2%)-40-70(2%) and 40-70(1%)- 40(76% in 2-4 w)-70(2%). Seed 05 6 m at 40 gave an intermediate behavior as shown by 70-40(34%)-70(11%)-40-70 and 40(52%)-70(22%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212. 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 September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    22 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

52% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212Public domain
Show the original text
Scilla (Liliaceae). S. bifolia germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 70 in 40(70% in 2-4 w)-70(6%)- 40(2%). The seedlings must remain at 40 for the full 3 m cycle. If shifted to 70 too quickly, the cotyledons fail to develop. Curiously, germination failed completely if the 05 seed were sown at 70. Fresh seed gave a different pattern and a more extended germination as shown by 70-40(64%)-70(21%)-40-70(2%)-40-70(2%) and 40-70(1%)- 40(76% in 2-4 w)-70(2%). Seed 05 6 m at 40 gave an intermediate behavior as shown by 70-40(34%)-70(11%)-40-70 and 40(52%)-70(22%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212. 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 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

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    11 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

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

34% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212Public domain
Show the original text
Scilla (Liliaceae). S. bifolia germ. best with seed DS 6 m at 70 in 40(70% in 2-4 w)-70(6%)- 40(2%). The seedlings must remain at 40 for the full 3 m cycle. If shifted to 70 too quickly, the cotyledons fail to develop. Curiously, germination failed completely if the 05 seed were sown at 70. Fresh seed gave a different pattern and a more extended germination as shown by 70-40(64%)-70(21%)-40-70(2%)-40-70(2%) and 40-70(1%)- 40(76% in 2-4 w)-70(2%). Seed 05 6 m at 40 gave an intermediate behavior as shown by 70-40(34%)-70(11%)-40-70 and 40(52%)-70(22%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Scilla p. 212. 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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