Sorbus torminalis

Germination

Sow indoors at any time. Prepare a soil mix of 1:1 compost to sharp sand or vermiculite. Ensure this mix is moist but not wet. Add seeds to soil and pop into a freezer type bag which is loosely tied and place somewhere warm, 20°C, for 2 weeks. Ensure soil remains moist. Then cold stratify. Move seeds to 4°C for 16-30 weeks, until signs of germination are visible. If seeds germinate prior to this simply remove from the bag and plant up. Otherwise plant seed at the end of 30 weeks, surface sow in pots or trays of compost. Repeat cycles of warm-cold will offer germination eventually. Allow developing seedlings to grow on for 2 years before planting out.

Growing

Prefers a moderately fertile, humus-rich soil in full or partial sun. Drought tolerant once established. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution.

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. Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting.