Germinating Japanese weeping sakura cherry tree (Prunus serrulata) seeds can be a rewarding but challenging process, as cherry seeds have a hard seed coat that can inhibit germination. It's important to note that Japanese weeping sakura cherry trees are often propagated through other methods such as grafting, budding, or taking cuttings to ensure consistent traits in the new plants. However, if you still wish to try germinating cherry tree seeds, here's a general guide:

1.     Seed Collection: Harvest mature cherry fruit and extract the seeds from the fleshy pulp. Rinse the seeds to remove any remaining fruit residue.

2.     Seed Treatment: Cherry seeds have a hard seed coat that can inhibit germination. To enhance germination rates, consider scarifying the seeds. This can be done by gently nicking or sanding the seed coat to create small openings.

3.     Seed Soaking: Some gardeners recommend soaking the scarified cherry seeds in water for 24 hours to further aid in germination.

4.     Stratification: Cherry seeds typically require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy and improve germination. Place the scarified and soaked seeds in a sealable plastic bag with slightly moistened vermiculite, peat moss, or a paper towel. Seal the bag and store it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 32-41°F (0-5°C) for about 8 to 12 weeks. This mimics the winter conditions that the seeds would experience in their natural environment.

5.     Seed Sowing: After the cold stratification period, prepare a seed tray or small pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Moisten the soil lightly before sowing the cherry seeds. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and gently press them into the soil, but do not bury them too deep.

6.     Germination Conditions: Place the seed tray or pots in a warm location with indirect sunlight. Maintain a temperature around 68-75°F (20-24°C). Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

7.     Seedling Care: Germination can take several weeks or even months for cherry seeds. Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be carefully transplanted into individual pots with well-draining soil. Provide them with bright, indirect light and continue to maintain appropriate moisture levels.

8.     Transplanting Outdoors: Cherry seedlings can be transplanted outdoors once they are well-established and the weather is suitable. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.

Keep in mind that growing Japanese weeping sakura cherry trees from seeds can be a slow and uncertain process, and not all seeds may germinate or produce plants with desirable characteristics. For a more reliable and faster way to grow Japanese weeping sakura cherry trees, consider propagating through other methods such as grafting or budding, which ensure that the new plants retain the desired traits of the parent tree.

The germination rate of Japanese weeping sakura cherry tree (Prunus serrulata) seeds can vary widely depending on several factors, including the cherry tree species or variety, the age and quality of the seeds, the specific germination method used, and the growing conditions provided. On average, the germination rate of cherry tree seeds, including Japanese weeping sakura, is typically between 30% to 50%.

It's important to note that cherry seeds, including those of Japanese weeping sakura, can have a hard seed coat that inhibits germination. Enhancing germination rates often involves scarification (nicking or sanding the seed coat) and cold stratification (a period of cold and moist conditions) to break dormancy and improve germination success.

While Japanese weeping sakura cherry trees are indeed grown from seeds in some cases, they are more commonly propagated through other methods such as grafting or budding. These vegetative propagation methods ensure that the new plants retain the desirable traits of the parent tree, including the characteristic weeping growth habit.

If you are specifically interested in growing Japanese weeping sakura cherry trees and want a more reliable and consistent way to propagate them, consider exploring grafting or budding techniques, which are commonly used by professional growers and nurseries to produce identical and true-to-type plants. These methods result in faster and more predictable propagation compared to growing from seeds.