The columbine - as a young plant, it can be bought in specialist shops. But honestly, anyone can do it! It is much more fun to grow these perennials with your own hands and lots of love. Then you know what you have…
The soil should be loosened a little before sowing the columbine
Preparing the seeds at home
Towards the end of February/beginning of March, the seeds of the columbine can be grown at home. This requires a bright location, preferably on the window sill in the living room.
- Fill the pot or seed tray with seed compost
- scatter seeds
- cover lightly with soil (dark germs)
- moisten generously with a hand sprayer
- Keep substrate moist
- ideal germination temperature: 17 to 20 °C
- Germination time: 5 to 6 weeks
No-till: timing and procedure
The seeds obtained from the trade or harvested yourself can be sown directly outdoors from April, for example in the garden bed. They should be sown by the end of May at the latest. The flowers usually only appear in the second year.
Location and soil examined
Before you sow the seeds, you should take a look at the location! It should be sunny to partially shaded. If necessary, it can also be a shady place. But there columbines are only about 30 cm high instead of up to 90 cm.
The soil should be rich in nutrients, humic, loose, permeable and fresh. A slightly loamy substrate is advantageous as it dries out less quickly. Columbine needs a moist underground environment. The ground can be enriched with compost before sowing.
Sow the seeds
The fine seeds are mixed with sand. This allows them to be scattered more evenly and easily in the bed. After a thin layer of soil has been spread over it, water the whole thing with a fine spray of water.
Keep the soil moist! If necessary, the plantlets are later pricked out at a distance of 25 cm. Now it's just a matter of further care!
tips and tricks
Once the columbine has grown, it will multiply by itself over the next few years. Their seeds self-seed and germinate on the spot.