I've sown seed of perhaps a dozen species of Colchicum as well as a few Merendera, mostly outdoors in autumn and winter. About half have germinated, in times ranging from 4 months to 2 years. Long-term survival has been modest. A successful example is C. autumnale: sown 12/89; germ. 2/91; bloomed 9/99. May I point out that it is readily available commercially, including improved forms. Jim Jones Lexington, MA