Prunus mume (Ume)

Japanese Apricot
Prunus Mume
Ume

10 seeds
+90% germination rate

See Seed Stratification document in the Resources section of the website.

Additional information:
- Keep refrigerated
- Soak in water for 24 hours
- Cold stratify 60-90 days
- Then sow 0.5-0.75" deep (mulch the seed bed)
*Protect from rodents!*

Personally, instead of cold stratifying in a fridge I sow my seed (all types, not just Prunus) into their trays, and I keep the trays with my overwintering bonsai at +2 to +4C.  The seeds then go out when the trees go out (I transfer to a heated greenhouse on March 1st, but that isn't necessry).

OPTIONAL: You are receiving a seed inside a shell.  I have tried cracking the Ume seed very carefully (using 2 vice grips, see image) in order to extract the seed.  Some books from Ume growers in Japan recommend doing this, while others do not mention it.  Using the same batch of seed, I cracked half and did not crack the other half.  I did not notice any difference except that some (but not all) of the cracked seed had an earlier start, which could be totally random and have nothing to do with the cracking.  I put this idea out there for those who are interested to try.

Price reflects the difficult reality and labour of making these available in Canada