Juniperus VIRGINIANA

Sowing and germination

The seeds are relatively large, about 5–6 mm, oblong, dark brown, located in fleshy cone-berries. To increase germination, preliminary scarification is required, which changes the hard shell of the seeds and increases the likelihood of uniform germination, followed by long-term cold stratification. The seeds are carefully lightly sawed and placed in a container with a solution of stimulants at room temperature for 12–24 hours, or dipped in hot (80–90°C) water for 30 seconds, after which they are stratified. To do this, the seeds are placed in a damp mixture of sand and peat or ground with ash, and kept for 2–3 months at 2–5°C (on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator). Seeds are sown in containers with loose substrate to a depth of 1–2 cm, moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a greenhouse or covered with film and germinated in low light, not in the sun, at a temperature of 20–27°C. The seedlings need ventilation.