Prunus cerasoides Wild Himalayan cherry
USDA zone: 7
Prunus cerasoides a middle sized or large tree indigenous to the temperate Himalayan region, extending from kashmir to Bhutan and in Aka and Khasi hills in Assam and in Manipur at altitudes of 900-2300m. The plant attains a height of 15-30mt. Bark smooth, brown, peeling off in horizontal strips exposing a shining copper-coloured surface; leaves variable in length and breadth, doubly serrare; flowers in fascicles or umbels, rose-red to white; drupes ovoid, c 1.25cm long, yellow or reddish.
The tree thrives in well-drained and moisture-retentive loamy soil. It requires an open, sunny and sheltered location. Seeds can take many months to germinate and should be cold stratified for 2-3 months to speed up the process. The cherry fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Maximum germination coincided with 50.24 ± 0.19 % fruit and 30.11 ± 0.57 % seed moisture content. Negative correlation existed between germination and seed moisture content (r = 0.294; P< 0.01). Significantly higher germination occurred when seeds were placed above the paper at 25º C.
3,300 seeds/kg