Dear Etsy Fans, Please find for sale 25 fresh Sorbus Aucuparia seeds - known in the UK as Rowan, but also & slightly confusingly as Mountain Ash of which several tree species go by this common name. Rowan trees are useful, hardy, & attractive trees for British gardens - they bear attractive spring blossom followed by bright red or yellow berries, against a backdrop of fresh green, pinnate leaves & are suitable for growing in small gardens. Their flowers are visited by pollinators & their berries are an important source of autumn fuel for birds such as blackbirds & robins. They make good screening trees if you want to hide an ugly building or a bit of privacy from neighbours. PLEASE NOTE: All orders received before 8pm (Mon-Fri) will be dispatched same day SAVE PACKAGING MATERIALS - SEE OTHER INTERESTING & UNUSUAL SEEDS & PLANTS in MY SHOP INSTRUCTIONS - TO SAVE PAPER I NO LONGER SEND OUT WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTIONS ARE BELOW SO PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS PAGE. FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME WITH ANY GROWING QUESTIONS. Germination Guide Rowan seeds benefit from cold stratification. Stratification is a process of simulating natural conditions that the seeds must experience before germination can occur (if a seed germinates in the middle of winter it will die). in the wild, seed dormancy is usually overcome by the seed spending time in the ground through a winter period & having its hard seed coat softened up by frost & weathering action. This cold, moist period triggers the seed’s embryo; its growth & subsequent expansion eventually break through the softened seed coat in its search for sun & nutrients. Get a handful or two of vermiculite, perlite or sterile compost (microwave compost in a plastic bowl for 3 minutes) then allow to cool. Add a little water to the mix. Should be moist but not wet Place in small ziplock bag Place in bottom fridge or in cold shed/outbuilding for 4-6 weeks Spread bag contents on a tray of moist compost. Cover very lightly with compost or vermiculite Keep in a warm place 15-25c Seedlings should appear after 15-25 days Keep moist - best to place seed tray inside a waterproof container & water from the bottom Pot on as required Olly’s General Guide to Seed Sowing! I love sowing seeds & it runs in the family - dad, granddad & finally my great-granddad for whom the hobby helped him get over his experiences in the Great War. I still get a big kick when I see the first seedling poking through from a new plant that I have never sown before or been successful at. However, even the most experienced gardeners draw blanks from time to time. Whilst I sow all the seeds that I sell so I know that they are viable, some are trickier than others & problems can arise so here are some tips to make blanks few & far between: 1) Don’t Rush! Tempting though it is when that packet arrives in the post to simply bung the seeds in some compost! 2) Google & YouTube are your friends! Take some time so see the methods other people use to
