Crab Apples

Do Crab Apple seeds need to be stratified before sowing, if so how ? Thank you.

 

Not 100% sure, but normally birds and such like would eat the crab apples, with the seeds either being left behind or passing through the gut and out. Either way the seed would then lie on the ground until the spring.
So I would get the seeds out and leave them in a seed tray in a corner outside until spring and see what happens. I'd use a gritty compost so they don't get too wet.

 

Let's face it stratification, or whatever they call it these days, won't do any harm and can only help.
It will also ensure the seed germinates at the right time of the year.

 

A lot of the seeds that need stratification will actually germinate fine without it. Seeds will come up when they feel ready. When I used to muck about germinating anything I could get my hands on, trees and shrubs were sown in pots and left somewhere sheltered outside. The majority of stuff would germinate more in spring. I never chucked seeds in the fridge.

 

The fridge is for seed you buy in early spring and probably too late to get a decent cold spell outside.

 

Thanks for all your replies. I've taken a chance and sown a couple of dozen seeds in cells. We'll see how they get on. Fingers crossed.