Prunus Mahaleb

Hardiness zones 5-8, (-26°C/-15°F, -10°C/15°F) in Winter. Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil, growing best in a poor soil. It is very drought resistant, but cannot tolerate poor drainage. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Germination First, scarify the seeds. For faster germination, soak the seeds in slightly hot water for 24-48 hours, followed by 2-3 months cold stratification before sowing in your soil. Sow at 1 inch deep in moist soil. Lights aid germination. The seeds can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Scarification Seed coats may be so hard that they are impermeable to water. They need to be scratched or broken using a knife or sandpaper, in order to germinate. Chip the seeds with a sharp knife or make a few swipes with a sharp edged file or use sandpaper to allow moisture being more readily absorbed. Cold stratification This will break their dormancy. It creates a cold and moist environment for the seeds. Mixed in seeds with slightly moistened vermiculite or peat, only damp in a ziplock bag. Close zip bag shut and store it in the salad crisper compartment of your refrigerator. If any seeds begin to sprout during the cold stratification, simply remove the seed and plant.