Viburnum lentago

Seeds Type

Orthodox, that is to say seeds with the capability to withstand desiccation and freezing temperatures (-20°C) and may therefore be conserved for years, if not decades.

For germination, you must...

1. allow TWELVE MONTHS for seed treatment;
2. subject them to a scarification AND a warm stratification, THEN a cold stratification, before sowing (follow the steps below in order).

Scarification : Soak the pyrenes in water at room temperature for 24 hours.
Stratification (warm and cold) : Place the pyrenes in a bag (Ziploc Slider type) containing slightly premoistened peat moss. Seeds should be surrounded by the latter. Close the bag and place it at room temperature for about eight months, then in cool storage (between 1°C and 5°C) for approximately four months.
Seedlings : Remove the content from the bag and sow the pyrenes one by one. Bury lightly, less than five millimeters from the soil surface.
Comments : Some references mention that, during the warm stratification, seeds would benefit from being subjected to fluctuating temperatures, between 20°C C and 30°C.

⚠ Hard to germinate ⚠

Seeds of this species have a combined dormancy, both deep physiological and morphological (or morpho-physiological). Embryo’s growth, inside the seed, is prevented by its immaturity (morphological dormancy), as well as by its sensitivity to temperature (thermodormancy). Embryo’s maturation progresses as the stratification takes place. Germination may occur several months after sowing. It’s important to not throw seeds away if they didn’t germinate after the first attempt. Repeating all the germination process could be necessary.