Azerole – 10 Seeds, Ancient and Rare Fruit, Sour Flavor, Rustic and Curious, Easy to Grow, High Germinability, Non-GMO

Immerse yourself in the fascination of biodiversity with our Azarole seeds (Crataegus azarolus), a unique opportunity to grow an ancient and almost forgotten fruit directly in your garden or vegetable patch. Intended for gardening enthusiasts, collectors of historic botanical varieties, and anyone wishing to enrich their "vegetable seed" collection with something truly special, these seeds offer a superior quality selection. Each pack contains 10 carefully selected seeds, guaranteeing high germination rates and non-GMO origin. Azarole stands out for its curious fruits, with a tart and refreshing flavor, and for being an extremely hardy and easy-to-manage plant, ideal for introducing a resilient and productive variety to your green space. Technical and agronomic details: Botanical Name: Crataegus azarolus Seed Quantity: 10 seeds per pack Plant Type and Cultivation Cycle: Deciduous shrub or small tree, perennial and long-lived. Maximum Plant Height: Generally reaches 3-5 meters, but can be kept at a smaller size with regular pruning. Uses: The fruits are excellent for fresh consumption and for making jams, jellies, syrups, and liqueurs. The plant is also a valuable ornamental thanks to its spring flowers and colorful autumn fruits, and its hardiness makes it useful for defensive hedges. Tasting Notes: It produces small, globular fruits (2-3 cm in diameter), similar to tiny apples, with colors ranging from yellow to orange, to deep red when ripe. The pulp is firm, slightly floury, with a distinctive tart and aromatic flavor, reminiscent of a mix of apple and currant. The small, white flowers appear in spring. Hardiness and Origin: An extremely hardy plant, native to the Mediterranean basin. It displays exceptional resistance to intense cold (down to -15°C and below), drought, and most common fruit tree diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice. Sowing Period: Requires cold stratification for optimal germination. It can be sown directly into the ground in autumn (to take advantage of natural stratification) or in late winter/early spring after 2-3 months of artificial stratification. Harvest Period: The fruits ripen between late summer and early autumn (August-September). The plant typically begins to bear fruit between the third and fifth year after planting. Optimal Germination Conditions: Requires a period of cold stratification (2-3 months at temperatures of 2-5°C in a moist substrate). After stratification, the ideal temperatures for germination are between 15°C and 20°C. Soil Type: Adapts to a variety of soil types, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers slightly calcareous or sandy soils, but can tolerate poor soils as well. Recommended Exposure: It prefers full sun exposure to encourage abundant flowering and fruiting, but it also tolerates partial shade. Germination Time: Germination is erratic and slow, and can take several weeks or even months after stratification. Patience is rewarded by the plant's robustness. Pot or Ground Cultivation: Ideal for open ground, where it can thrive. However, it can also be grown successfully in large pots, provided good drainage is ensured and containment pruning is used. Quality Specifications: Our Azzeruolo "organic garden seeds" are guaranteed Non-GMO (not genetically modified) and come from plants selected for their vigor and productivity, ensuring high germination and varietal fidelity of this ancient and precious fruit. Choosing azarole seeds means investing in a plant that will not only enrich your table with authentic, yet somewhat forgotten, flavorful fruits, but will also contribute to the biodiversity of your green space. Its easy cultivation, high resistance to adverse conditions, and low maintenance requirements make it an ideal candidate for anyone looking to add a touch of originality to their garden or start a successful organic garden. Offering excellent yields and unparalleled versatility, azarole is the perfect choice for rediscovering the flavors of yesteryear and enjoying the beauty of a plant that has been treasured for centuries.