Can I start columbine indoors?

Question

I harvested my columbine seeds and I would like to start them indoors to transplant next spring. When is the best time to start them? I'm in zone 6

Answer 1

I don't know the best time for you to start them, but no do not start a columbine indoors. The only time you may want to start a Columbine indoors would be in a barn that you want to get rid of mice & stuff. Otherwise you are going to kill all living things in that building.

Answer 2

Yes, you can start columbine indoors and since columbine is a perennial, you can start them now!  But I wouldn't transplant them next spring. I'd transplant them in the fall or start the seeds in early January for transplanting outdoors next spring.

   First you need to get the seeds cold for about 3 weeks. Pour the seeds into a folded paper towel and fold the towel again to hold the seeds. Put the towel into a plastic bag and seal. Place in fridge for 3 weeks.  When you plant, plant the seeds by scattering on top of soil that already has been moistened. Lightly dust with peat. This is one seed that would benefit from using a clear plastic dome on top to keep the soil moist.

   If you have a lot of seed, simply sprinkle on the ground in October, sprinkle with sand or peat, lightly and let nature do the work for you.

   I have a whole bunch of seed starting tips that you might find handy:

http://home.att.net/~ekyorigins/seedsx.h...

Good luck with your seeds!

Answer 3

Zone 6 is the ideal place to grow these wonderful colorful plants. Aquilegia as it is sometimes known, is a Spring flowering plant and therefore you should plant the seeds in September. They will not flower the first year, but they will the second. They are also very prone to bugs, particularly "leaf-miners", but this can be overcome by the use of a pesticide.