Arnold wrote >This is something similar to a paper I read on Colchicum >seeds. Theory was that when they were released from the plant there >were not fully mature and did so over the next months at a warm temperature. Colchicum seeds are notorious for erratic germination. I have grown many species from seed over the years and have rarely if ever seen germination the year they were sown. Instead, at a certain point in late winter, it is likely that seed pots from different years and different species will germinate within one or two weeks. So don't discard those pots! Ripe, dehiscing Colchicum seeds are hard, which makes them seem mature, but I have never looked at the inside under a microscope. However, the seeds are sometimes sticky, which implies that they have a coating to attract ants, which will disperse the seeds after eating the coating. In this case it may be necessary for this coating to be removed, perhaps by a detergent solution, before sowing. I'll try that next year. In flower today are two color forms of Colchicum doerfleri and the white-flowered Colchicum atticum (Merendera attica). All were grown from seed more than ten years ago. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA