Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Seeds Germination

A prior treatment with Stratification (mimicking winter to encourage germination for certain types of seeds)  is recommended for most Sakura (Cherry Blossom) seeds to achieve high germination rate.

Here are the steps for stratification:

Preparation for Stratification:

1. Zip loc bag

2. Some moist kitchen paper

3. Plant labels

4. 10% Hydrogen peroxide solution(common bleach) *optional but recommended

5. Sieve

6. A pair of gardening gloves 

7. A pair of Tweezers

Steps for Stratification:

1. Rinse the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) seeds gently in a sieve.

2. Use a gardening gloves and soak the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) seeds into the 10% hydrogen peroxide solution for about 10 minutes.* This step is optional but it helps prevent possible molding drastically.

3. Pick up the seeds with a pair of tweezers and put them into a moist kitchen paper, then put them into a zip loc bag. Finish by labeling  them and then refrigerate them. (Do not put into a freezer. Let them stay in the lower part of a refrigerator - the part where you usually store vegetables or fruit will be fine.)

4. Sprouting should start in 2-8 weeks, depending on the variety. Some variety takes up to months to start germination. Check for germination once a week and if necessary ,moisturize the kitchen paper to maintain humidity.   

*If you prefer not to use stratification,starts here:

Here are the steps for direct germination or transferring of seedlings after stratification:


Preparation:

1. Potting mix (detailed in the product listing information and on the seed package).Basically,ask the nursery for a compost for compost designed for Rose should fits well. Preferably,add about 30% of coarse sand (or any sandy soil) to achieve better drainage).The compost should be slightly acidic and a bit sandy. To minimize possible molding problem, make sure the compost you bought is sterile (most commercial compost are). Preferably, buy a new pack instead of using an already opened one.

2. Seed Tray.

3. 10% Hydrogen peroxide solution(common bleach) *optional but recommended

4. Gardening glove

5. A pair of Tweezers

6. Copper based fungicide
7. Sieve

Steps:

1. Rinse the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) seeds gently in a sieve.
2. Use a gardening glove and soak the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) seeds into the 10% hydrogen peroxide solution for about 10 minutes.* This step is optional but it helps prevent possible molding drastically.

3. Pick up the seeds with a pair of Tweezers. Sow your seeds on to the top layers of your growing medium in your pot or in seed trays. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil - not more than 2 cm.
*If you have already treat the seeds with stratification,starts here:  transfer the seedlings with a pair of tweezers and plant them into the soil.

4. Light can enhance germination. Try putting the seed tray or pot under sunlight as much as possible. 

5. Maintain a medium level of humidity for the germination by regular watering. 

6. Germination of this type of seed should naturally occurs in 2-8 weeks.

7. (Optional but recommended)Once germinate, or after transferring seedlings from stratification,use a Copper based fungicide to prevent molding problems. Follow instruction on the fungicide label for amount and frequency of application.

Notes:

1. Do not plant the seeds or seedlings under extremely temperature. Temperature below 15 degree Celcius or above 30 degree Celcius normally guarantee a poor result. 

2. Stratification is not necessary if the seeds are very fresh (e.g. just harvested in season). Germination rate decreases longer the seeds is stored. Thus, if you are unsure how long your seeds has been stored, treatment of stratification is highly recommended.