Need help with weeping cherry seeds

Hi guys,

I've just obtained weeping cherry tree seeds from an online store and I was wondering how do you germinate them? Do they need a cold stratification or do they need warm + cold?
What is the generalized method for all prunus species (Do they ALL need to go through cold stratification etc?).

Thanks!

Eliz

The only info I can find indicates that cherry species' seed needs a two to three month cold stratification period, which I guess means over-wintering, then they sprout in the spring. I'd just pot them up and leave them outside for the winter, then see what happens in the spring. Good luck.

Hi HoosierGreen,

I've in some academic journal articles where they've done warm stratification for about 1 month and then cold. Has anybody tried that? But yes, I'm assuming from what I've read that most people who sow P. sp. just do the cold stratification and then overwintering. I think this is a safer way. I'll try it soon! This is my first year of winter sowing and I'll let you know what happens!

Thank you!

Eliz

Note that weeping cherry is a cultivar, and won't come true from seed. You'll most likely get a rather anonymous non-weeping cherry.

Resin

I wonder if some seedlings would be weeping, some not, and some perhaps "in-between"? Would be fun to see what happens though. I've always thought it'd be interesting to have a non-grafted weeper that sprawls and crawls on the ground over some rocks.

What is the likley out come of single vs double flowered form in the seedlings, if the parent is even known in this case?

they're all pretty to me =) doesn't matter if they turn out weeping or not. I've also received seeds from a another trader and they're labeled P. taiwanensis. he (trader) told me to put them in the fridge but they were moist-packed with sphagnum. When you cold stratify do the seeds have to be moist? I was looking on the internet on how to germinate maples and some just put them in a ziplock bag and then put them in the fridge..I'm really really new to the cold method treatment.

lol this is what happens when I go ebay shopping - I don't do my research. But I think it'll be worth a try learning new things/experiencing new stuff for a dollar or so....

I could always buy prunus sp. here in Canada but I like starting my bonsai specimen from seeds ;)

Eliz

Ask these questions on the seed germination forum.

I have potted up seeds and put them in a paper bag then into the fridge for 2 months. It worked. My ouside temps can be over freezing all winter so I have to use the fridge.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/germination/all/