I saw a neighbor had seeds on a bare stalk where I know I’d seen a jack on earlier walks. They are red and they did look like photos I’d seen online. Some are slightly wrinkled, and fell off easily into my hand. I took about 10 seeds. What kind they are, I don’t remember. Green or the purple striped kind.

If I have luck, he would like some of the seedlings back. It will be an experiment for both of us.

I put them in a bowl in the house for the last few days. They are getting slightly more wrinkled.

I am trying to get a little woodland environment going. Ferns, solomon’s seal, Virginia bluebells, and mayapples are doing well.

Can I direct-sow these under my trees? (Ash and spruce).

Do I let them dry first? Or sow while still moist? Cover with soil or leaf litter, or leave exposed?

I can put them on a slight slope that has good drainage, or in a low spot that retains more moisture when it rains.

Or I can start them in a part-shade holding bed.

Thanks for any advice.