How Long Before Jack-in-the-Pulpits Grow From Seed?
Arisaema triphyllum, also known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, can be propagated using the seeds produced in the plant's red berries. The seeds require a cold period to germinate and can be slow to grow and even slower to flower. Does this Spark an idea?
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Jack-in-the-Pulpit
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Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a perennial wildflower native to most of the United States. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 9 in moist conditions but is not recommended in the dry western states. The Jack is a hardy flower that may grow successfully in many gardens even outside the recommended range.
Propagating Jack-in-the-Pulpit
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Jack-in-the-Pulpit can be propagated by planting corms, the bulb-like base structure of the plant which acts as winter nutrient storage, or by collecting and planting the seeds produced by the plant in the fall. The seeds should be harvested from the berry (using gloves) for best results.
Plant seeds immediately after harvesting in partial sun and moist soil. If seeds are to be started indoors and planted in spring, they must first be stored in a moist, cold location at about 41 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three months. Sphagnum moss, moist sand or a paper towel in a plastic bag, stored in the refrigerator, works nicely.
Because a cold period is required before germination can occur, Jack-in-the-Pulpits can take up to six months to appear after planting.
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Warning
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The entire Jack-in-the-Pulpit plant contains a form of calcium oxalate. The plant is toxic in its raw form and can produce a burning sensation on the skin, respiratory distress, and even death, so keep the plant completely inaccessible to children or pets.
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References
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