Nordman Fir (Abies Nordmanniana) 10 seeds (#348)

Nordman fir is a striking evergreen tree that originates from Asia Minor along the southern reaches of the Black Sea. It has an elegant, columnar form with horizontally tiered branches that reach down to the ground. Branches are covered with dense, lustrous, dark green (with a hint of black) needles that are soft to the touch when grasped. The female cones are quite large and narrow, becoming reddish brown when ripe and are displayed in the upper third of the needled canopy. The bark is grayish brown.
A preferred location for a Nordman fir is growing in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It offers year-round interest and is considered one of the more elegant, more adaptable and easiest to grow firs for the landscape. Plant it as a specimen plant, or in groups for privacy screens or imposing windbreaks. Deer are known to forage upon foliage and tender buds.

Genus - Abies
Species - Nordmanniana
Common name - Nordman Fir
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 6
Height - 30'-60' / 9 - 18 m
Spread - 15'-20' / 4.50 - 6 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, Sand, Well drained
Water requirements - Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Abies seeds need to be "overwintered" or stratified before they will germinate.
1. Soak overnight in warm water.
2. Then pre-chill (stratify) for 30 days. Seeds can be stratified in dampened peat, sand or moist vermiculite , in a plastic box or bag at +4C in a refrigerator. The seeds should not be frozen or in a wet medium.
Seed can be sown in early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March. Normally will only germinate with light, but the stratification (described above) can help to increase the germination rate.
Sow Abies seeds 5-8 (3/8") mm deep in the seed sowing mix.
Abies seeds will usually germinate in 21-40 days if overwintered and stratified or about 6 - 8 weeks if sown directly.