The columbine not only looks good. It is also extremely undemanding, location tolerant and easy to care for. Those who study it should also know about the seeds. Here is an overview of the most important characteristics of their seeds.

After flowering, the columbine forms poisonous seeds

What do the seeds look like and when do they ripen?

They are elongated oval and extremely small. Its color is black and its smooth surface is slightly shiny. The seeds of most columbine varieties ripen between July and August after the flowering period.

Sow the seeds

If you already have columbines in the garden and want to propagate them, you can collect the seeds yourself. A single plant forms numerous seeds, which are located in a capsule. When the pod dries up, it bursts open, revealing the seeds it contains. Harvest the pods when they are dry and the seeds are rustling inside.

Sowing is very easy:

  • Sow seeds directly into the bed in April/May
  • first mix the seeds with sand (then they can be better distributed)
  • cover with earth
  • Spray with a fine water spray
  • Germination time: 4 to 6 weeks

propagation at home

If you want to be on the safe side, you can also grow the seeds at home. This should start between February and March. Both pots and seed trays can be used as containers for sowing. Before sowing, it is recommended to put the seeds in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. The seeds of some Columbine varieties are cold germs.

That's how it's done:

  • sow in potting soil (e.g. distribute the seeds with tweezers)
  • Cover with 5mm thick soil and press down
  • moisten with hand spray and keep moist
  • put in a bright place
  • Optimum germination temperature: 17 to 20 °C (e.g. in the living room on the windowsill)
  • prick if necessary from a size of 5 cm
  • Place or plant outside from mid-May

Self-sowing - the hobby of these seeds

But these seeds do not necessarily have to be sown by you. They also like to seed themselves. But the disadvantage is that if you have different columbine varieties, they often cross paths. The result after self-sowing are not varietal specimens.

The columbine can become quite annoying due to its urge to self-seed. Over the years, it can actually become a weed that proliferates in the vegetable patch, for example. If you do not want the seeds to self-seed, cut off the faded flowers or the immature seeds.

The seeds are poisonous!

Don't forget: Columbine seeds are highly toxic! They contain magnoflorin and a glycoside that converts to hydrocyanic acid in the body. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath and cardiac arrhythmias. Most of the time these don't last long.

tips and tricks

Keep the poisonous seeds safe from children and pets!

Category:

Herbs