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Sorbus americana

American Mountain-ash · Dogberry · Mountain-ash · American Mountain Ash

Family RosaceaeGenus Sorbus

A heavy cluster of orange-red berries held in a hand, among leaves divided into many toothed leaflets.
FruitBruce MarlinCC BY-SA 2.5

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
treePlants of the World Online
Height
15-35 ft5-11 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
8-20 ft2.4-6.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhitePLANTS Database
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 states, St. Pierre and MiquelonPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
2-6Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension 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

  • Grouse, ptarmigans, robins, thrushes, waxwings and jays eat its berries. Moose eat its foliage, twigs and bark. Wikipedia: Sorbus americana

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing.

80% germination.

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

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62Public domain
Show the original text
Sorbus (Rosaceae). S. americana germ. 40-70D(26% in 1-8 w), 70D-40- 70D(16% in 1-3 w), and OT(80% in April). Germination was not initiatëd by GA-3. Seeds DS 6 m germ. 40-70D(29% in 1-3 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62. 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 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. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 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 9 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.

29% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62Public domain
Show the original text
Sorbus (Rosaceae). S. americana germ. 40-70D(26% in 1-8 w), 70D-40- 70D(16% in 1-3 w), and OT(80% in April). Germination was not initiatëd by GA-3. Seeds DS 6 m germ. 40-70D(29% in 1-3 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62. 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, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 10, 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 56 days.

26% germination in 7–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62Public domain
Show the original text
Sorbus (Rosaceae). S. americana germ. 40-70D(26% in 1-8 w), 70D-40- 70D(16% in 1-3 w), and OT(80% in April). Germination was not initiatëd by GA-3. Seeds DS 6 m germ. 40-70D(29% in 1-3 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62. 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, 1998

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 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

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.

16% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62Public domain
Show the original text
Sorbus (Rosaceae). S. americana germ. 40-70D(26% in 1-8 w), 70D-40- 70D(16% in 1-3 w), and OT(80% in April). Germination was not initiatëd by GA-3. Seeds DS 6 m germ. 40-70D(29% in 1-3 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Sorbus p. 62. 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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