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crocus seed germination

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maryam:
Hello
I got some crocus seeds. How should I keep it?
And how should I plant it? What soil can I use and  what temperature?

mannextdoor:
Hello members,

I know, this is reactivating an old thread but I also want to ask this question. How should I sow the crocus seeds (spring and autumn flowering species)? I would say I am a experienced gardener (germination/cultivation  of Mandragora, Przewalskia, mediterranean Colchicum, ...) - no problem. Seeds from crocus growing in my garden (around 20 species) germinate themselve in my beds. BUT, I ordered a few seeds from the last seed exchange (2021) and I had a zero germination :-(. Any hints for germinating the seeds from the exchange? I handled them as recommended on the internet: soaking for 24 hours in plain water, sowing in a gritty, sandy substrate, allowing the nature do her thing (outdoors, also over the winter). Can someone help me with some hints or methods for a good germination rate? Or should I be more patient and the seeds will germinate in autumn this year or next spring?

Thanks in advance!

Greetings
marcel

p.s.: I forgot, I´m located in middle Germany (just to got some idea about the climate).

tonyg:
Hello Marcel
It sounds to me as though you have done very much as I do - so the lack of germination is a bit of a mystery.  A few thoughts, no real answers though.   
I don't pre-soak the seed.  I don't see why this would hurt - maybe someone else has a thought on this.
I sow the seed around 2cm deep - if surface sown the seed may germinate less well due to the surface drying out and/or exposure to extreme temperature.
I have had losses of some species soon after germination when the pots freeze hard - and this is UK frost.   Central Germany would perhaps have lower temperatures.  Seed in the process of germinating might be killed by frost without the seedlings breaking surface.   In the open garden the effect of freezing is mush less than in pots.
Slugs and snails can make little crocus seedlings disappear quickly but in this case there may be hope if a tiny corm is already formed.
It's worth waiting another year just in case but it's very unusual for 100% to fail to germinate in the first season in a sample of 20.  I would hope for perhaps 75% to germinate.
Hope this helps
Tony

WimB:
Hi Marcel,

those are really bad results, as Tony said, there are always some which don't germinate (bad seeds) but for me that's also around 20-25%.

I can't really add anything to Tony's remarks. Sowing them at depth is what I do as well. I do soak the seeds for 24h before sowing, which seems to help them germinate a bit quicker. If you soak them you should take care the pots don't completely dry out anymore afterward, since cycling between wet and dry again can be detrimental for the seeds.

And I don't really use sandy substrate, I use 50% regular potting soil (most are still peat-based in Belgium) and 50% sharp grit.

Do keep the pots for one more year though, some might still germinate.

Can't really add anything else, I hope some of Tony's and my advice helps.

pehe:
Hi Marcel,

In my experience Crocus seeds from the SRGC seed exchange do not germinate the first spring as I often receive them rather late - often in December/January. But the next spring most of them germinate.
Crocus seeds from the Crocus Group seed exchange which is send out in September germinates the following spring.
So my advice is the same as Tonys and Wims: Be patient and hope for germination next year.
For me Colchicum seeds are more difficult to germinate than Crocus, so maybe you could give me an advice for germinating these?

Poul

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