Sow bulb seeds now?

[Matt T]

Lewis, see here for a pic of Fritillaria seeds I received in January 2015, kept in a cool room until October 2015 when I sowed them as usual. They appear to have retained good viability and I have no doubt they're doing better than if I had sown them a year ago.

[Lewis Potter]

Lewis, see here for a pic of Fritillaria seeds I received in January 2015, kept in a cool room until October 2015 when I sowed them as usual. They appear to have retained good viability and I have no doubt they're doing better than if I had sown them a year ago.

Thanks Matt, Should I keep all Fritillaria seed to be sown in October then? Because it looks to have work well for you. Or dose this apply just for certain species.

[Matt T]

I'm mainly sowing the Mediterranean species Lewis, for which the usual advice is to sow before Christmas. Seeds received after that are better saved to be sown the following autumn because 1. they will not experience the necessary conditions (a long, cool and moist period) to trigger germination and 2. being thin papery seeds are more likely to rot if left in pots for a year. It's easier to keep them in good (viable) condition in a cool dry place. So, for Med species I'd definitely keep them for sowing in October.

I have only an odd potful of species from other regions and would defer to Maggi's advice below. I was pleased with how quickly the F. liliacea (N. American) germinated compared to other frits - the first seedlings from that batch of sowing in mid-October and up well before Christmas.

[Lewis Potter]

Ok, Thanks for that Matt. Ill see what region they are native too. Then sow them at the right time from there.

[Susan Band]

Matt, due to American Frit germinating so quickly I am moving their sowing time to the beginning of December. They are only starting to germinate now which I feel is better as it reduces the time having to survive dark dingy days. It's only the American Frits I do this to, others I sow before October.