Hippophae rhamnoides SEA BUCKTHORN (10 seeds)

Sea buckthorn, also known as sandthorn, Siberian pineapple, or Hippophae rhamnoides in Latin, is a wild, thorny, dioecious perennial shrub from the Elaeagnaceae family. It is native to the European and Asian continents and typically reaches a height of 4 to 5 meters, with relatively slow growth. It is now found throughout Europe along watercourses.

Its orange, oval, edible, and very acidic fruit, called a sea buckthorn berry, appears in early autumn. It has a tart flavor and measures 1 cm in length by 0.5 cm in width. Fruiting generally begins in the 4th year.

Its flowers appear as small orange clusters in the leaf axils all along the branch.

Sea buckthorn seeds are brown, relatively thin, oval-shaped, very smooth, and shiny.

The leaves of this shrub are deciduous, slender in shape, and quite thick and robust.

- Uses:

Its berries offer numerous health benefits. In the kitchen, the berry can be consumed fresh, as juice, in smoothies, or in jams. Its vitamin concentration is 5 times higher than that of a kiwi and 30 times higher than that of an orange.
Do not use for medicinal purposes without seeking medical advice.

This variety has several medicinal applications for treating various ailments. Finally, the oil extracted from its seeds is also used in the cosmetic industry.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best period to sow sandthorn begins in early March and lasts until early May, allowing for natural stratification. It is also possible to stratify them artificially by placing them in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 months before cultivation.
• Sow the seeds in a tray of fine potting soil or in separate small pots using a substrate of horticultural soil and fine sand.
• Cover them with a few millimeters of this substrate.
• Water the sowing delicately and manually by spraying.
• Place the culture in a greenhouse in a warm, humid location at a temperature near 25°C. Germination typically begins 3 to 5 weeks after stratification and sowing.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Sea buckthorn is not difficult regarding soil type; it grows very well in ordinary, sandy, or calcareous substrates, even in nutrient-poor soil, as long as it is well-drained.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

Siberian pineapple grows very well under bright light; it needs full sun exposure to flourish fully. If it lacks light, the plant will not be able to flower and therefore will not produce fruit.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

It is a very hardy shrub that grows well when temperatures vary between 15 and 30°C. Above this, the plant suffers and generally loses some leaves; below this, its growth stops. It can withstand extreme negative temperatures down to -20°C. Its USDA Zone is 7a.

- Watering / Irrigation:

It requires a lot of water and typically grows along riverbanks. It will need regular watering during the first 3 years of cultivation. Mulching can be applied at the base of the plant to limit soil evaporation and reduce the frequency of watering.

- Reproduction / Multiplication:

Sea buckthorn can be reproduced by seed, by dividing suckers, or by stem cuttings starting in early autumn.

- Maintenance:

It is important to prune the shrub regularly to limit its spread. From November onwards, it is recommended to collect its leaves and compost them in the garden.