@TheDerek (Derek) posted a new topic, subject "Juneberry from seed". It read:

   Smoky juneberry.  
    
    
    4032×3024 2.05 MB
    
      
    blended berries and rinsed out pulp until just seeds remain  
    
    
    2851×2138 1.76 MB
    
      
    Planted in promix bx potting soil.  
    
    
    3024×4032 2.9 MB
    
      
    Dampened well, covered and put in mini fridge.  
    
    
    3024×4032 1.63 MB
    
      
    
    
    4032×3024 1.84 MB
    
      
    Made another one thats larger, also in mini fridge  
    
    
    3024×4032 1.6 MB
    
      
    Keeping some seeds in water also to watch for germination, will rinse and change occasionally.
    
    Some more info I found about growing JB from seed:
    
    “Propagation of Juneberry: Seed - it is best harvested “green”, when the seed is fully formed but before the seed coat has hardened, and then sown immediately in pots outdoors or in a cold frame. If stored seed is obtained early enough in the autumn, it can be given 4 weeks warm stratification before being left out in the winter and it should then germinate in the spring. Otherwise seed can be very slow to germinate, perhaps taking 18 months or more. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a sheltered outdoor position, planting them out once they are 20cm or more tall. If there is sufficient seed it is best to sow it thinly in an outdoor seedbed. Grow the seedlings on for two years in the seedbed before planting them out into their permanent positions during the winter. Layering in spring - takes 18 months. Division of suckers in late winter. The suckers need to have been growing for 2 years before you dig them up, otherwise they will not have formed roots. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required.”
    
    Anyone else done this before? If so any input, tips or tricks?

@TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Germination, Sowing and After Care Information for  
    Canadian Serviceberry (amelanchier canadensis)  
    Seeds of Amelanchier species have a deep dormancy within them, this requires a degree of patience to overcome and it is usually quite easy to get high levels of germination if the correct procedures are followed.
    
    To begin with soak the seeds for 24 hours in water at room temperature.
    
    Prepare a free draining substrate into which the seeds are to be mixed, this can be a 50/50 mixture of compost and sharp sand, or perlite, vermiculite. The chosen substrate needs to be moist (but not wet), if you can squeeze water out of it with your hand it is too wet and your seeds may drown and die. Mix the seeds into the substrate, making sure that their is enough volume of material to keep the seeds separated.
    
    Place the seed mixture into a clear plastic bag (freezer bags, especially zip-lock bags are very useful for this -provided a little gap is left in the seal for air exchange) If it is not a zip-lock type bag it needs to be loosely tied. Then write the date on the bag so that you know when the pretreatment was started.
    
    The seeds first require a period of warm pretreatment and need to be kept in temperatures of 20 Celsius (68F) for a period of around 4 weeks . During this time make sure that the pretreatment medium does not dry out at any stage or it will be ineffective!
    
    Next the seeds require a long cold period to break the final part of the dormancy, this is achieved by placing the bag in the fridge at (4 Celsius or 39F) for 16 weeks. It is quite possible for the seeds to germinate in the bag at these temperatures when they are ready to do so, if they do, just remove them from the bag and carefully plant them up.
    
    When the period of pre treatment has finished the seed should be ready to be planted. Small quantities can be sown in pots or seed trays filled with a good quality compost and cover them with a thin layer of compost no more than 1cm deep. For larger quantities it is easiest to sow the seeds in a well prepared seedbed outdoors once the warm and cold pretreatments have finished and wait for the seedlings to appear.
    
    It has also been found that fluctuating pretreatment temperatures can give the best germination results and I have myself had excellent results by keeping the mixed seeds in a cold shed through the winter for the cold stage of their pretreatment and allowing the temperature to fluctuate naturally. Ungerminated seeds can have the whole warm and cold process repeated again to enable more seeds to germinate. Fresh seedlings can keep germinating for several years after the original sowing date.
    
    Do not expose newly sown seeds to high temperatures (above 25 Celsius). Keep the seedlings well watered and weed free. Growth in the first year is usually between 10 and 30cm depending on the time of germination and cultural techniques and developing seedlings are usually trouble free. Allow them to grow for 2 or 3 years before planting them in a permanent position.

After which, @tonyOmahaz5 (Tony ) added

    Derek,
    
    You grow everything in mass. What do you do with all the seedlings.
    
    Tony

Then @TheDerek (Derek) said

    For now Im just planting most of them in non permanent locations in my yard. Been watching for land near here as I would like to eventually move out of town onto some acres, but the market is kind of crazy right now and theres not much available… Also theres a stream near my house that is public land and Im planing to do some wildlife plantings there for birds or people who want to forage, whatever.

@TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Just an update, the seeds kept in my fridge in water have started to sprout. I took the 3 that had growth showing and 2 that looked healthy but hadnt germinated yet and put them all into a small pot. Earlier than I expected but hopefully they grow ok. Ill post updates as things progress…  
    
    
    20171220_1304403024×4032 2.82 MB
    
      
    I also had 2 containers with seeds in potting soil in the fridge. One I put outside in a shaded area for the winter and another I put in my freezer to halt growth until I see what happens with these seedlings. Dont really need 100 plants to care for right now, mid-winter.

To which @Chestnut (Akiva Silver) replied

    I have had good success germinating amelanchier seeds by sowing them in a pot immediately after harvesting berries in the summer. I clean the seeds before planting. I leave the pots out all winter with a piece of screen on top to keep out cats. In the spring, lots of seedlings emerge.

To which @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Yeah, I didnt figure it would be too hard. Will be interesting to see how big I can get these before the snow is off the ground tho. Maybe get 2 seasons of growth in its first…

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    20180116_0850154032×3024 4.28 MB
    
      
    Seeds coming up in soil…

To which @Barkslip (Dax Herbst) replied

    Love that sight.
    
    Dax

@TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Updated pic of juneberry in soil.  
    
    
    20180122_1409264032×3024 1.95 MB
    
      
    Juneberry in coir…  
    
    
    20180122_1803582851×2138 2.39 MB

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Another update, seem to be doing well, coir are winning but they are in a warmer, more humid environment also…  
    
    
    20180129_1044102851×2138 1.53 MB
    
      
    
    
    20180129_0742582851×2138 2.57 MB

After which, @TheDerek (Derek) added

    20180204_221045[1]4032×3024 4.53 MB

After which, @haldog (haldog) added

    I had some Juneberry seedlings 2 years ago. I put them outside in a protected area to harden them off when they got about 6 inches tall. Killed even though there was no freeze. Keep babying them.

To which @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Been a couple weeks. Seedlings growing well…  
    
    
    20180221_0757404032×3024 4.53 MB
    
      
    
    
    20180221_0829082851×2138 4.43 MB

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Seedlings in coir doing great, some over a foot tall now and seem very heathy.  
    
    
    20180304_850-857-0202×3024 3.47 MB

To which @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Broke up my 2 gallon (about 1.6 gallons actual volume) pot of seedlings this weekend and transplanted them into individual grow bags. Its amazing they all fit and grew so well in the small pot they have been in!
    
    Before  
    
    
    20180430_1755312138×2851 2.93 MB
    
    After  
    
    
    20180430_1814582851×2138 3.49 MB

@TheDerek (Derek) replied

    About a month till my seeds start growing Im guessing… I also buried some outside in my garden to see if thats a good way to delay germination a while longer. These are smoky but I also got some from my small Lee 8 plant this year.  
    
    
    20181107_122149%5B1%5D3024×4032 3.68 MB

So @Katie_didnt_Z4b (Katelyn) replied

    Is that toothache plant you have growing there around the baby juneberries?

After which, @TheDerek (Derek) added

    yeah, i usually have one around…  
    
    
    20181006_1507374032×3024 3.47 MB

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    20181108_094301%5B1%5D2851×2138 4.38 MB
    
      
    Got a few dried flowers saved up!

To which @Katie_didnt_Z4b (Katelyn) replied

    Oh cool. I grew one outside a few years back and it only made two flowers. I probably had it in a less than ideal location. The one I put in my mouth to try gave me a surprising sensation, though! They really work! Do you plan to use all of those for toothaches…?

To which @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    not sure what Ill do with them, if you keep picking the flowers it will keep producing… I was thinking about adding them to a batch of wine next summer, would make for an interesting taste sensation!

Then @TheDerek (Derek) said

    Checked the fridge and my lee8 seeds are sprouting already, was hoping theyd stay dormant for another month or so. Planted all 9 of them to a single 2gal fabric pot with coir today. Smokey and aronia havent started sprouting yet… Ill post a pic once they break ground.

To which @roth2000 (Trevor) replied

    Derek what is your take on lee8 vs other juneberries. What is your favorite?

To which @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    Sorry I cant really say much about others yet, the only one Ive had substantial production from so far is smokey… The others were year 2 last year, should get a few more berries this year. My dad sprayed my JB30 with roundup last summer and killed it, hes 80 and has a thing about grass growing around bushes in his yard, through the mulch, not the first time hes killed stuff I have planted there. He also killed off their rhubarb plants last summer, for the 2nd time! Right now all I have planted is Martin, Lee8 and smokey. If anyone has or would save me some jb30 seeds next summer Id appreciate some!

After which, @TheDerek (Derek) added

    20181203_0354302851×2138 3.92 MB

@TheDerek (Derek) replied

    20181208_1315152138×2851 3.51 MB
    
      
    might b a little too much light, some leaves appear stressed.

Then @TheDerek (Derek) said

    20181223_0500152138×2851 3.3 MB
    
      
    added some osmocote to coir between plants today, made holes with pencil.

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    20190112_1956282851×2138 2.74 MB

Then @Barkslip (Dax Herbst) said

    Hey Derek,
    
    I've tried to find a decent price on brown grow bags but they're so much more expensive than standard black. Have you found a decent deal?
    
    Dax

@Drew51 (Andrew Fignar) replied

    Barkslip:
    
    > I've tried to find a decent price on brown grow bags
    
    I use brown root pouches. I noticed price has gone up about 40% I used to pay 5 bucks for 20 gallon, now they are 8 bucks each.  
    https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/containers-trays/bags-pouches/root-pouch-boxer-brown-fabric-pot-longest-lifespan?returnurl=%2Fcontainers-trays%2Fbags-pouches%2F

Then @Barkslip (Dax Herbst) said

    That's exactly what I've found. It doesn't matter if it's Greenhouse Megastore or Amazon. I even went so far as to contact manufactures in China to purchase 100 or 300 and I would've gone broke. Here's the price quote I got:
    
    I noticed a niche for 15-gallon so that's the route I began with. With shipping that put me at more than $4.50 a bag and I haven't even begun shipping the items. I couldn't compete.
    
    Dax

To which @Barkslip (Dax Herbst) replied

    Not that you're saving a bundle but $6.50 a piece. Gotta buy 10 of them:  
    https://www.amazon.com/Root-Pouch-Quality-Gallon-Bundle/dp/B016YLIGPY/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1547522631&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=brown+grow+bag+20+gallon&refinements=p_n_srvg_2947266011%3A2972984011
    
    Dax

Then @Drew51 (Andrew Fignar) said

    Yes about the same price for ten. Both my link and yours is the same place, Greenhouse Megastore… Ten appear a bit cheaper on Amazon, thanks for the link!

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    i got mine from greenhouse MS also…

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    20200406_0856473024×4032 3.58 MB
    
      
    Been fighting thrips for months now, seedlings still alive…

@Kraber15 replied

    Any seeds you might have available from the Smokey's? I'm interested in starting my own little orchard. Just planted 4 of the Regent variety. Hoping to add some other varieties to my selection and get upwards of 30-40 trees growing

After which, @Hillbillyhort added

    @Kraber15  
    Shefeilds has Smokey seed ,  
    A packet or a OZ. Is a modest investment , plant in the fall ,some will come up second year too.
    
    Sheffields Seeds Online Ltd
    
    ### Amelanchier alnifolia Smokey - Tree - Saskatoon Serviceberry, Saskatoon Berry...
    
    Amelanchier alnifolia Smokey and over 1000 other quality seeds for sale. Call us at 850-857-0202. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow to 1–8 m 3–26 ft rarely to 10m 33ft in height. Its growth form spans from suckering and forming...
    
    Price: USD 5.95

After which, @Olin (Olin) added

    Just harvested some (mid August). Now trying to decide how to process - or not? Fall plant or wait until spring? Refrigerator germination has worked well for apples as long as things don't get moldy. Should I just freeze whole fruits and then clean in March and pop them in the fridge at that time?

So @TheDerek (Derek) replied

    id blend at low speed to separate seeds from pulp and cold stratification for 4 months and then freeze until a month or so before you need them. put back in fridge until they start to grow, then plant.


{'source': 'discourse', 'url': 'https://growingfruit.org/t/juneberry-from-seed/11861', 'title': 'Juneberry from seed', 'views': 5820, 'has_accepted_answer': False, 'word_count': 2198, 'like_count': 48, 'reply_count': 16, 'participant_count': 11, 'posts': 40, 'tags': '', 'author': '@TheDerek (Derek)', 'participants': '@TheDerek (Derek), @tonyOmahaz5 (Tony ), @Chestnut (Akiva Silver), @Barkslip (Dax Herbst), @haldog (haldog), @Katie_didnt_Z4b (Katelyn), @roth2000 (Trevor), @Drew51 (Andrew Fignar), @Kraber15, @Hillbillyhort, @Olin (Olin)', 'image_url': ['https://d55v7rs15ikf5.cloudfront.net/optimized/3X/5/0/5036cbb28c7e9ad98bf310f153ceb70a5eea6170_2_1024x768.jpeg'], 'created_at': '2017-07-12T19:48:28.650Z', 'last_posted_at': '2021-09-13T03:05:19.310Z'}