Description
A deciduous shrub or tree for small gardens, with wavy, silvery fruits that turn red in autumn. The edible berries are an excellent source of lycopene, a type of nutrient that helps stimulate the body's natural defences.
Sowing Instructions
| Sowing time: | immediately on receipt. |
|---|
Sow seeds in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and place into a refrigerator (not freezer) for 3 months. Then, return container to a temperature of around 20C (68F). Germination can be slow. Examine container regularly and carefully transplant individual seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. If germination has not occurred within this period, then repeat the cycle as shown above. The method recommended to germinate this particular variety of seed is a simulation of how the seeds germinate in natural conditions. By following these instructions, you should achieve maximum success.
An alternative method of germination is to sow as follows: Sow seed in pots or trays of good seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and place in a cold frame or sheltered part of the garden. Check regularly and ensure compost does not dry out. Germination can take up to a year.
Growing Instructions
When well grown, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out 2m (6 feet) apart in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
