Germinating Oregon Grape Seed - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have harvested several Oregon Grape/Mahonia seeds and soaked them to remove the pulp and separate the seeds.
I'd like to grow to try and gr...
Knowledgebase
Germinating Oregon Grape Seed #768751
Asked August 23, 2021, 2:50 PM EDT
Hello,
I have harvested several Oregon Grape/Mahonia seeds and soaked them to remove the pulp and separate the seeds.
I'd like to grow to try and grow them but am having trouble finding clear instructions on how to chill them in the refrigerator, what to chill them in (paper towel, growth medium), and when to plant them.
Thank you!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Recommendations from nursery growers online suggest putting seeds in a damp (not wet) paper towel inside a sealed baggie for 3 weeks in the freezer. Then put them on peaty well drained soil tray where the temps stays below 50F for 90-120 days. Keep the soil tray moist.
Mahonia plants can be easily propagated by taking root suckers with a little bit of above ground shoot. I have done it many times because Mahonia plants spread rather vigorously with underground rhizomes. I dig them up to keep the plants from taking over too much area in my garden.
