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About this seed
Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis) seed needs two treatments before it will sprout: a 24-hour hot-water soak, then 90 days of cold stratification. After that it germinates in 4–8 weeks at 18–22 °C. Packets hold 20 or 50 seeds.
Also known as: Chinese sumac, Nutgall tree, Yanfumu (Chinese), Nurude (Japanese), Bulknamu (Korean). Family Anacardiaceae.
Pretreatment and sowing
- Scarify: soak the seed in hot water for 24 hours.
- Cold-stratify for 90 days.
- Sow in moist soil at 18–22 °C.
- Expect germination in 4–8 weeks.
Skipping either step is the most likely reason for no germination, so plan about four months from soaking to seedlings.
What the plant becomes
A deciduous shrub or small tree 4–6 m tall with compound leaves that turn red and orange in autumn. Small yellow-green flowers appear in summer, followed by clusters of red fruits in autumn that draw birds. The tree is known for its galls (nutgalls), which are high in tannins and have been used in leather tanning and natural dyeing.
Where it grows
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 6–11. It prefers full sun and adapts to dry, rocky or poor soils if they drain well. Water moderately; established plants tolerate drought.
What you get
A packet of 20 or 50 Rhus chinensis seeds, depending on the option you choose. We do not state a germination percentage for this lot.
FAQ
Can I sow the seed straight away?
Not with good results. Soak in hot water for 24 hours first, then give 90 days of cold stratification.
How cold-hardy is it?
It is listed for USDA zones 6–11.