'Waxwing' Siberian Crab Seed

Latin Name: Malus baccata

DESCRIPTION

Family: Rosaceae

Native Range: Native to central and eastern Siberia.

Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan.

Height and Spread: 6m x 5m (5 years).

Overview: The 'Waxwing' seed strain was developed for prairie tree planting. It is a composite of selected Siberian crabapple trees. This seed strain is ideally suited for agroforestry planting. It is fast-growing and provides excellent food and cover for wildlife.

Fruit: Multi-seeded apples are either red or yellow and vary in size from 1-2 cm.

Average number of seeds/packet: 800

SEED TREATMENT / SOWING

Stratification: Water soak for 72 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 10 days at 5°C.

Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring.

Sowing instructions: Sow 1.0 cm deep,50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell.

Growing conditions: ‘Waxwing’ Siberian crab favors medium to heavy soils that are somewhat poorly to well-drained with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Full sun is preferred for best performance, but they will tolerate light shade.

AGROFORESTRY VALUE

'Waxwing' Siberian crab is used in shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. It provides good food and cover for birds. The fruit is eaten by birds during winter, they attract large flocks of cedar waxwings.