Sowing Elderberry Seeds

For some odd reason, I've got an obsession with Elderberry this year! I've been trying to get starts from mine by taking cuttings, but I haven't been very successful. I've got a few growing, but most have dried up and died. I just did a few more today, and they'll go in the unheated greenhouse for the winter.

A book that I have says that you should sow the seeds in Autumn outside in an open frame. I'm not sure exactly what an open frame is. Having a frame that isn't covered makes no sense!

I'd love to know if anyone here has had luck getting them to grow from seed, and if you have, did you just leave the pots outside for the winter? I plan on leaving some outside, and putting some in the non-heated greenhouse, just to see if anything works, but I'd prefer to know if one is better than the other, or if I'm just wasting my time! My Elderberry is the common green one. Nothing fancy, but I do love it!

Thanks for any advice!

Natalie

The seeds need to be planted in autumn, either in an unheated greenhouse, either outside.
The big problem is that birds and other animals love the seed, so they are often eaten.
To avoid this you can use the winter sowing method: Use plastic containers with a lit and make small holes in the container and the lit to have rain and drainage.
The seeds will germinate next spring.

Jonna

Thanks Jonna,

My husband and I just finished building our greenhouse a few minutes ago! It's unheated, so I'll give it a try in there! It's also sealed all along the bottom, so no birds or animals can get in. I'm so excited about the greenhouse!!

Natalie