Things Needed
Columbines ( genus Aquilegia ) with over 60 species , are herbaceous perennials with typical , Alexander Graham Bell - shaped blooms on plants that can originate over two understructure marvellous . Attractive to hummingbird and butterflies , aquilege offer bloom of youth in a variety of colouration including coral , icteric , majestic , pinkish and black red . Blooms begin as early as February in some locations and continue through July . Columbines , which are cold- , heat- and drouth - tolerant , ask little more than well - draining dirt , partial to full shade and deadheading to boost new increment .
Step 1
Allow establish columbines to bloom in the spring and early summer . works will set seed two weeks after flowers expire . Seed pods are five - biramous with five cylindrical capsule that hold the seed .
Step 2
swipe off cum pods , at the nucleotide of the pod , from columbine plants and place them on a plate to dry out for 1 to 3 day .
Step 3
Place dry out germ pod into a paper bag and shake around to dislodge germ from the pods . Open pods by pulling down on each private prong and mildly prize enter the cylinder with a fingernail to release any remaining seeds . You may desire to perform this cognitive operation over the handbag or a bowl to catch the seeded player , as they tend to scatter .
Step 4
Plant harvest seeds in the fall , for give them at least six workweek of cold-blooded temperature ask to commence the germination process .
Step 5
Sow seeds by sprinkle lightly over the top of lightly moistened soil and tamp down lightly to arrange . Do not overlay seeds , as they require light in decree to germinate properly . Once plants begin to acquire , thin out so that there is 6 to 18 inches between each plant .
Step 6
Give columbines an inch of water per hebdomad , or less during rainy go . Do not over - water , however , as this can cause the crowns to rot .
Step 7
set aside superfluous source to dry thoroughly , then store them in a paper envelope or airtight credit card bag in a cool , dry location until planting . Columbine seeds are very diminutive , just over 1/16 inch in duration , so one bag will be sufficient to view as all seeds glean during a season .
Tip
Columbines will bloom in the second year after plant . Columbine seeds can be cold-blooded stratified by placing semen in an airtight plastic bag with 1 cup of slightly moistened grease and stored in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks .
Warning
Propagation of columbines by division is not recommended because the tooth root anatomical structure is delicate and difficult to separate without have harm to the works .