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Cotoneaster microphyllus

Small-leaved Cotoneaster · Small-leaf Cotoneaster

Family RosaceaeGenus Cotoneaster

A dense flat mat of tiny dark leaves on wiry spreading branches, covering bare ground
The whole plantJerzy OpiołaCC BY 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
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-8 ft1.8-2.4 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Assam, China South-Central, East Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Nepal and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-7Extension 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

  • Rockspray cotoneaster, from the Indian subcontinent and south-west China, is a rabbit-tolerant shrub recommended for rockeries and hedges, but care is needed not to plant it where it can become invasive. Wikipedia: Cotoneaster microphyllus

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

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 11, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 11, 2023.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

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

about 3 years from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 56 days.

21% germination in 35–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 26Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). The germination of C. microphyllus was described in the 1st Suppl. for both fresh seeds and seeds DS 2 y. Seeds DS 3 y germ. 70D(2/22)-40-70D(1/22 in 2nd w) and 40-70D(4/19 in 5-8 w). Seeds of
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 26. 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, 1998

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

Start around March 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 15, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

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

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

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

    1/22 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 years from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

9% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 26Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). The germination of C. microphyllus was described in the 1st Suppl. for both fresh seeds and seeds DS 2 y. Seeds DS 3 y germ. 70D(2/22)-40-70D(1/22 in 2nd w) and 40-70D(4/19 in 5-8 w). Seeds of
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 26. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 4, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 3, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 730 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2 years from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 63 days.

46% germination in 7–63 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. microphyllus v. cochleatus experiments are now complete, and it is found that there are altematives to GA-3. The seèds germ. 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w)-40- 70(3%), 70D(2%)-40-70D, and 40-70(29% in 2-11 w)-40-70(2%). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70(46% in 1-9 w) and 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w).
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.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  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

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.

40% germination in 28–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. microphyllus v. cochleatus experiments are now complete, and it is found that there are altematives to GA-3. The seèds germ. 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w)-40- 70(3%), 70D(2%)-40-70D, and 40-70(29% in 2-11 w)-40-70(2%). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70(46% in 1-9 w) and 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w).
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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 25, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 730 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Gibberellic acid soak

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2 years from start to sowing. Then 70 days to germinate.

40% germination in 28–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. microphyllus v. cochleatus experiments are now complete, and it is found that there are altematives to GA-3. The seèds germ. 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w)-40- 70(3%), 70D(2%)-40-70D, and 40-70(29% in 2-11 w)-40-70(2%). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70(46% in 1-9 w) and 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w).
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 High Rated by us, not by the source.

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

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  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

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 77 days.

29% germination in 14–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cotoneaster p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae). C. microphyllus v. cochleatus experiments are now complete, and it is found that there are altematives to GA-3. The seèds germ. 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w)-40- 70(3%), 70D(2%)-40-70D, and 40-70(29% in 2-11 w)-40-70(2%). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70(46% in 1-9 w) and 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w).
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, 1996

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

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

  1. Warm moist stratification

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

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

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

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

2% 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. microphyllus v. cochleatus experiments are now complete, and it is found that there are altematives to GA-3. The seèds germ. 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w)-40- 70(3%), 70D(2%)-40-70D, and 40-70(29% in 2-11 w)-40-70(2%). Seeds DS 2 y germ. 40-70(46% in 1-9 w) and 70 GA-3(40% in 4-10 w).
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 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 70 days to germinate.

40% germination in 28–70 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. microphyllus v. cochleatus germ. 70D GA-3(40% in 4-10 w), 70D(2%), and 40(none).
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 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

2% 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. microphyllus v. cochleatus germ. 70D GA-3(40% in 4-10 w), 70D(2%), and 40(none).
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

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

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