To propagate Jack in the Pulpit, the most common method is to divide the cormlets that grow off the main corm during the plant’s dormant period in fall, by carefully digging up the root clump and separating the smaller offsets to replant them in a suitable location; you can also propagate by collecting seeds and cold-stratifying them before planting in a moist, shaded area.
Key points about propagating Jack in the Pulpit:
Division by cormlets: Dig up the entire root clump in late fall when the plant is dormant.
Gently separate the smaller cormlets (offsets) from the main corm. Replant the individual cormlets immediately in a new location with rich soil and light shade.
Propagating from seeds:
Harvest seeds: Collect ripe berries from the plant in late summer, gently squeezing them to remove the seeds.
Stratification: To mimic winter conditions, mix the seeds with moist sphagnum moss and store them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for 60-75 days.
Planting seeds: After stratification, plant the seeds about ½ inch deep in a moist, shaded area.
Note: It may take several years for plants grown from seed to flower.
Important considerations:
Timing: Always divide or collect seeds when the plant is dormant in late fall.
Soil conditions: Jack in the Pulpit prefers moist, well-drained soil with rich organic matter.
Light requirements: Plant in a partially shaded location.
Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around newly planted corms or seeds to maintain moisture.