Elaeagnus angustifolia

Germination

Sow indoors at any time. Mix some moist but well-drained seed compost 1:1 with vermiculite or sand, add the seeds. Place the mixture in a zip-lock type freezer bag, secure but leave a small gap. Place in warmth, 16-20°C for 4 weeks. Keep moist at all times. Then cold stratify, move to 4°C, a fridge is ideal for 4-12 weeks. If seeds germinate during this time simply pot up, if not remove after 12 weeks and pot up. Sow 10mm deep into soil. Germination takes 140-180 days approx. Even under ideal conditions germination can be erratic. Can be sown in a cold frame in autumn and left to overwinter allowing natural winter cold to offer ideal conditions for germination to occur in spring as the weather warms. Allow to grow on for 1-2 years prior to planting in final location.

Growing

Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of coastal winds. Not tolerant of shallow, chalky soils.

Cultivation

Pruning group 1. No routine pruning required. Remove diseased, damaged or congested crossing shoots. Prune in late winter or spring. After pruning mulch and feed. Not self pollinating so you will require more than one tree to cross pollinate and produce fruit.