Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:02 pm
The snowdrop is one of the first plants to show itself to the world in full bloom in the spring. Each snowdrop has only one flower. When this has withered, the fruits with their numerous tiny seeds form
When are the seeds ripe?
The seeds of most snowdrop species are mature in April. But maturity can vary from site to site. While snowdrops that are in sheltered and mild locations bloom in January, snowdrops in cooler locations bloom in March. Thus, seed maturity may be earlier or later.
Seed formation weakens the snowdrop.
While seed maturation varies, one thing is certain: forming its seeds takes an enormous amount of energy from a snowdrop and subsequently weakens it. If you want to prevent this from happening, don’t spare the effort of cutting off the wilted inflorescences.
Ants love to eat the seeds
After flowering, the capsule fruits hang down from the stems. Ants can easily get to the fruits. Each ant can carry around a seed contained in it. But why do ants like to do this?
They are after the nutritive body that is on each seed. The ants carry the seeds to their burrow. Out of hunger, they sometimes eat the nutritive body on the way, leaving the seed on the ground. Thus, the ants take over the reproduction of the snowdrop quite incidentally….
Characteristics of the seeds
The seeds of snowdrops are in inconspicuous capsule fruits that hang down from the plant. Each snowdrop has only one capsule fruit. Inside it hide between 18 and 36 seeds. The seeds are:
- light brown
- roundish
- smooth
- average size 3,5 mm
Procedure for sowing
Those who want to use the seeds to propagate snowdrop, should know that the results are not varietal. Nevertheless, sowing is worthwhile for amateur growers.
Procedure:
- Place seeds (cold and dark seedlings) in an open box.
- Keep soil moist
- germination time: 4 to 6 weeks
- place in the shade in summer
- plant outdoors in autumn
- do not plant near conifers
Tips & Tricks
To germinate reliably, seeds should be sown fresh and exposed to temperatures between -4 and 4 °C.