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Alnus serrulata

Brook-side Alder · Common Alder · Hazel Alder

Family BetulaceaeGenus Alnus

Broad oval leaves with doubly toothed edges and deep parallel veins, on twigs laid out against a white surface.
LeafFepupPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online
Height
10-15 ft3-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
8-15 ft2.4-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, WinterExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

  • A thicket-forming alder of streambanks, riversides and swamps in eastern North America. It uses a lot of water. Wikipedia: Alnus serrulata

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in May and June.

No stated waiting before sowing.

23% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18Public domain
Show the original text
Alnus (Betulaceae). All samples were received in March, and had already undergone at least 6 m of DS and probably more. Since DS was clearly detrimental in A. serrulata germ. 70L(18% in 2-7 w), 70 GA-3(18% in 2-6 w), 70D(none), 40- 70D(20% in 4-10 d), and 23% in May and June in OT.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 26, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 10 days.

20% germination in 4–10 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18Public domain
Show the original text
Alnus (Betulaceae). All samples were received in March, and had already undergone at least 6 m of DS and probably more. Since DS was clearly detrimental in A. serrulata germ. 70L(18% in 2-7 w), 70 GA-3(18% in 2-6 w), 70D(none), 40- 70D(20% in 4-10 d), and 23% in May and June in OT.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 49 days to germinate.

18% germination in 14–49 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18Public domain
Show the original text
Alnus (Betulaceae). All samples were received in March, and had already undergone at least 6 m of DS and probably more. Since DS was clearly detrimental in A. serrulata germ. 70L(18% in 2-7 w), 70 GA-3(18% in 2-6 w), 70D(none), 40- 70D(20% in 4-10 d), and 23% in May and June in OT.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 42 days to germinate.

18% germination in 14–42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18Public domain
Show the original text
Alnus (Betulaceae). All samples were received in March, and had already undergone at least 6 m of DS and probably more. Since DS was clearly detrimental in A. serrulata germ. 70L(18% in 2-7 w), 70 GA-3(18% in 2-6 w), 70D(none), 40- 70D(20% in 4-10 d), and 23% in May and June in OT.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Alnus p. 18. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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