How to Germinate Wild Hyacinth Seeds
Wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) occurs naturally in the meadows and prairies of the eastern United States and is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its showy, fragrant flower clusters. The flowers are comprised of small, star-shaped blossoms, which are densely clustered along 5- to 7-inch-long spikes, lending them an appearance similar to true hyacinth. Although wild hyacinth is most commonly grown from bulbs, it also grows well from fresh seeds. However, the seeds must be chilled for two months under moist conditions to break their dormancy and increase the likelihood of successful germination. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 3-inch-deep starter pots
- Seedling compost
- Coarse sand
- Plastic bags
- Spray bottle
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill 3-inch-deep starter pots with a moistened mixture of 2 parts seedling compost and 1 part coarse sand. Leave a 1/2-inch space between the growing medium and the top edge of the pot.
-
2
Sow one wild hyacinth seed in each starter pot. Bury the seeds 1/4 inch deep. Spread a scant layer of coarse sand over the surface of the growing medium to help hold in moisture.
-
-
3
Cover the starter pots with a plastic bag or a piece of plastic wrap. Set the pots inside the refrigerator for two months. Mist the pots with a spray bottle whenever the soil surface dries out.
-
4
Remove the starter pots from the refrigerator after the chilling period. Place the pots outdoors in a warm, sunny spot where temperatures stay above 60 F and where they will be protected from strong wind.
-
5
Watch for germination two weeks after moving the starter pots outside. Keep the soil around the seedlings moist at a depth of 1 inch. Transplant the seedlings into a sunny bed with loamy or slightly sandy soil once outdoor temperatures reach 68 F during the day.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Germinate wild hyacinth seeds in autumn or late winter.
Wild hyacinth grows best within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8.
