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Prunus serotina

Black Cherry · Black Chokecherry · Rum Cherry

Family RosaceaeGenus Prunus

A hanging cluster of round green unripe fruits on a red stalk, among long drooping leaves, above an orchard.
FruitFlor Rosaura Antonio C.CC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
Perennial, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
60-80 ft18-24 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
30-60 ft9-18 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
2-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: MediumPLANTS 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

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 5, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 4, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    18 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 5 days.

66% germination in 1–5 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Prunus p. 201Public domain
Show the original text
Prunus (Rosaceae). All seed was WC for 7 d. P. serotina germinations were extended, occurred at 70 (and not at 40), and were better when started at 40. (instead of 70). Seeds DS 6 m at 70 or 40 germ. the same as fresh seed. The seeds expand slightly in a cycle at 40 causing the seed coats to fall away, but only about half of such naked seeds germinate in the next cycle at 70. Germination was 40-70(18%)-40-70(66% in 1-5 d) and 70-40-70(23%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Prunus p. 201. 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, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 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

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

23% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Prunus p. 201Public domain
Show the original text
Prunus (Rosaceae). All seed was WC for 7 d. P. serotina germinations were extended, occurred at 70 (and not at 40), and were better when started at 40. (instead of 70). Seeds DS 6 m at 70 or 40 germ. the same as fresh seed. The seeds expand slightly in a cycle at 40 causing the seed coats to fall away, but only about half of such naked seeds germinate in the next cycle at 70. Germination was 40-70(18%)-40-70(66% in 1-5 d) and 70-40-70(23%)-40-70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Prunus p. 201. 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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