Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) 50 seeds (#276)

Black mulberry is a fast-growing, rounded deciduous tree with inconspicuous flowers and edible fruits. The flowers are pale green and tiny and appear in clusters that produce bead-like fruits attached to a fleshy core in an oblong cluster. The clusters go from red to black as they mature, and resemble blackberries, but are only mildly sweet and flavorful. Planted mainly for shade and its tolerance of hot, dry conditions, black mulberry is also valued by some gardeners as a pie fruit and as food for birds. A mature tree produces huge numbers of fruits which fall when ripe, so avoid planting the tree along paths, paving, patios and decks. The tree is prone to diseases which disfigure its handsome heart-shaped leaves. It is also a weedy tree, producing many seedlings.
Like other species in the mulberry genus, black mulberry grows best in full sun on average, well-drained soil, but it tolerates almost any well-drained soil. Train it to a single trunk and high branches to reveal its handsome bark.
Information source: learn2grow.com.

Genus - Morus
Species - Nigra
Common name - Black Mulberry
Pre-Treatment - Not-required, but recommended
Hardiness zones - 5 - 8
Height - 30'-35' / 9 - 11(15) m
Spread - 20' / 6 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, Loam, sand, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Shade Trees
Bloom season - Late Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White, Gray Green

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Can be sown directly, but 30 cold/moist stratification is really recommendede.
Time to sow - January to April inside or in cold frame.
Prior to sowing soak seeds for 24 hours and sow on the surface of moist clean soil or stratify prior sowing - it will increase the germination rate. Create a mix of 1:1 seed compost and sharp sand or vermiculite which is moist but not wet. Add soaked seeds to the mix and place in a ziplock bag. Place in the fridge at +2-+4 for 1 month and after sow on the surface of moist soil. Press seeds lightly.
Cover with glass or clear plastic and keep at room temperature in bright place.
Seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks.