Mountains actually multiply themselves. But if you want to multiply them in a targeted manner, you can sow the seeds, for example. We'll show you how.
Mountains are attractive and easy to care for. Well adapted to the local conditions in Central Europe, the plants actually thrive in every garden between the North Sea coast and the Allgäu. With its bright orange berries, the mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is an eye-catcher in the winter garden. If you want to propagate your rowan tree, you can do this with seeds. The mountain ash makes it easy for the hobby gardener and even sows itself under ideal site conditions. Find out below what you need to consider when propagating the rowan tree.
Winning the seeds from the mountain ash
The seeds needed for sowing can be found in the berries. However, direct sowing the berries yourself would not work. Because the pulp contains certain substances that make germination difficult or even completely prevent it. So let's take a look at the natural process of self-sowing in nature: the birds eat the berries, including the seeds. The pulp is digested, the seeds are excreted and begin to germinate in the soil.
When propagating mountain ash, the pulp must therefore be removed from the pits. The fruits are cut open or simply crushed. In this way, the small black seeds can be detached and we can start sowing without having to do like the birds.
Propagating the mountain ash by seed - step by step
1. Collect seeds
2. Plant seeds in the ground
3. Keep warm and bright
4. Keep evenly moist
5. Wait for germination
The seeds are removed from the berries as described. If you have won the small black seeds, they can be sown immediately. For this purpose, the hobby gardener chooses a flat planter if possible. The seeds are distributed on the substrate and lightly covered with soil. The planting bowl should then be placed in a light and warm location. Germination can be accelerated by covering the planter with a plastic or glass coveris provided.
Tip: The cover over the planter should be aired regularly to prevent mold from forming.
Keep the seeds evenly moist. The soil must not dry out on the surface either. However, avoid working with the watering can. This often leads to the seeds being washed out again by the water pressure. If you use a water sprayer, on the other hand, the watering is gentle and even.
A warm window seat favors germination. In an ideal location, the first germs can appear after just a few weeks. Depending on the location and season of sowing, germination can also be delayed and you will have to be patient for a few months. It is therefore important not to give up hope. As a rule, the mountain ash germinates quite reliably.
Propagation by seed - everything important at a glance
| Work step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Win Seeds | • The seeds are obtained directly from the fruit. • Since certain substances in the pulp can delay or prevent germination, the pulp must be removed from the pits. |
| Select planter | • Seeds are placed in a shallow planting tray. • An additional plastic or glass cover creates a microclimate conducive to germination. |
| Bring seeds | • Scatter the seeds over a large area and cover them lightly with substrate. • Then water well. |
| Select Location | • Seeds will germinate faster if the planter is placed in a light and warm place. • Germinating indoors increases the chances of successful propagation. |
Mountain ash also reproduces by itself
Open your eyes - propagation in a different way
You don't have your own rowan tree and it's actually too complicated and tedious for you to carry out the propagation with the help of seeds? Then simply walk through nature with open eyes. Since the rowan tree self-seeds, you will often find young plants during a walk in the forest. Young plants can still be transplanted quite well. So you could theoretically dig up the little trees and plant them in your own garden.
Tip: Get permission from forest owners beforehand. This can be a private person, a municipality, the state or the federal government.
Offspring in our own garden
AtIf you take a closer look at the rowan tree in your own garden, you will often find root sprouts. So new plants are already growing from the rootstock of the mother plant. These can be cut out in spring, when new foliage has already formed, and used directly in a new location.
What happens to the young plants?
After successful germination, you will probably be amazed at the rapid growth of the seedlings. If further pairs of leaves appear in addition to the first two cotyledons, the seedlings are transplanted into separate planters.
Tip: Select the strongest plants for further cultivation.
If you have grown the plants in early spring, the young mountain ash can already spend the summer outdoors. It can be planted out from a growth height of about 20 centimeters.
Tip: Planting out in autumn would not be advisable. The young plants would not have enough time to develop their roots sufficiently before winter.
Overview of important questions about propagation
When should rowan be propagated?
Late winter or early spring are ideal for sowing. Then the young plants can be planted out in summer and they have enough time to develop a stable root system by winter.Which substrate should be used for sowing?
The mountain ash is not very picky about this. You can place the seeds in normal garden soil or in potting soil.
How long does germination take?
This depends on various factors. In a bright and warm location, the seeds will germinate after about three weeks. If the conditions are less favorable, it can also take several months before the first seedlings appear.
Why aren't my seeds germinating?
This can have various causes. The seeds were probably not sufficiently freed from the pulp. The pulp of rowanberries contains substances that can impede germination.
When can I put the young plants outside?
When the seedlings are sufficiently developed and the season permits. Planting a young plant before winter is not a good idea. The mountain ash is hardy, but in any case needs a stable root system in the cold season. If the plant is about 20 centimeters tall, it can be placed in a bucket or in summer it can go directly outdoors.
Where should I put the treeset?
The choice of location needs to be well thought out, because older plants in particular no longer want to be moved. When choosing the location, keep in mind that the trees can reach ten meters in height. A rowanberry likes to stand alone. The distance to other trees should be three to four meters. The sunnier the location is chosen, the more lush the flowers and fruits will be.