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Cotoneaster divaricatus

Spreading Cotoneaster · Stretch-fruit Cotoneaster

Family RosaceaeGenus Cotoneaster

Many tiny pink-white cup flowers scattered along arching stems of small glossy leaves
FlowerOriginal uploader was Sten Porse at da.wikipediaCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online
Height
5-6 ft1.5-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-8 ft1.8-2.4 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Tibet, XinjiangGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

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; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The Missouri Botanical Garden considers spreading cotoneaster a valuable landscaping plant, but it is also listed in CABI's Invasive Species Compendium, and has been introduced from China to Canada, the United States, Europe, Kenya and New Zealand. Wikipedia: Cotoneaster divaricatus

Two sources report 9 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 18, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  10. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2 years from start to step 10. Germination happens during step 10; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

40% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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 June 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 16, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    12 germinated in this phase.

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  10. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  11. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    23 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 9 run on after germination.

about 1.5 years from start to step 9. Germination happens during step 9; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

27% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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 December 19, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 18, 2024.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    14 germinated in this phase.

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  10. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    19 germinated in this phase.

  11. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  12. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2 years from start to step 12. Germination happens during step 12; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

26% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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.

Sow around April 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in April; up in April.

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

22% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 20, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 19, 2024.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  10. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  11. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  12. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  13. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2.5 years from start to step 13. Germination happens during step 13; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

10% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around October 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in October.

7 days from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

3% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata data is now complete. Germination extends over many cycles and always occurred in 2-6 d after shifting to a cycle at 70. Studies should be conducted on varying the length of the cycles to see if faster germination could be achieved. the data are 40-70-40-70-40-70(14%)-40-70(19%)-40-70(26%) and 70-40-70-40-70(6%)- 40-70-40-70-40-70(10%) for fresh seed WC 7 d and 40-70-40-70(12%)-40-70(27%)- 40-70(23%) and 70-40-70-40-70(2%)-40-70(40%) for seed DS 6 m in the WC state. Outdoor treatment is no better. Fresh seed set outdoors in October germ. 3% in the April 1.5 years later, 13% in March 2.5 years later, 4% in March 3.5 years later. Seeds DS 6 m set outdoors in April germ. 22% in April a year later.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34. 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 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 3, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 2, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 15 months from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7, in 8 days.

14% germination in 3–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata germ. 40-70-40-70-40-70(14% in 3-8 d) and 70-40-70-40-70(4%) using fresh WC seed and 40-70-40-70(12% in 3-21 d) using WC seed that had been DS 6 m at 70. Seeds placed outdoors in October did not start germinating until the April 18 m later (10-20%). Grinding a hole in the seed coat had no effect. It is likely that germination would have continued in further cycles.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126. 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 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 21 days.

12% germination in 3–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata germ. 40-70-40-70-40-70(14% in 3-8 d) and 70-40-70-40-70(4%) using fresh WC seed and 40-70-40-70(12% in 3-21 d) using WC seed that had been DS 6 m at 70. Seeds placed outdoors in October did not start germinating until the April 18 m later (10-20%). Grinding a hole in the seed coat had no effect. It is likely that germination would have continued in further cycles.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126. 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 9

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 6. Germination happens during step 6; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. divaricata germ. 40-70-40-70-40-70(14% in 3-8 d) and 70-40-70-40-70(4%) using fresh WC seed and 40-70-40-70(12% in 3-21 d) using WC seed that had been DS 6 m at 70. Seeds placed outdoors in October did not start germinating until the April 18 m later (10-20%). Grinding a hole in the seed coat had no effect. It is likely that germination would have continued in further cycles.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cotoneaster p. 126. 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

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