Madeira rowan Sorbus aucuparia subsp. maderensis

Water

The Madeiran Rowan should be watered deeply but infrequently, ensuring the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging. It is typically sufficient to water this tree once every week to two weeks, providing about 1 to 2 gallons per watering session, depending on the local weather conditions and soil moisture levels. During the growing season, you may need to water more frequently, whereas in winter, the tree requires less water. It's crucial to check the top few inches of soil for dryness before watering again to avoid overwatering.

Light

The Madeiran Rowan thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The best spot for this tree would be an area where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hotter parts of the day, but too much shade can reduce flowering and fruiting.

Temperature

The Madeiran Rowan prefers temperate climates and is hardy in a range of temperatures. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it grows best in areas where average temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not suited to extremely hot climates and may require protection from frost in colder regions.

Pruning

Pruning the Madeiran Rowan is essential for maintaining tree health, shaping, and encouraging prolific fruiting. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches, thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation, and, if necessary, reduce height or spread to maintain the desired size. Pruning should be done annually or as needed to keep the tree's structure sound and aesthetically pleasing.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Madeiran rowan (Sorbus aucuparia subsp. maderensis) thrives best in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH range of mildly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). A soil mix composed of two parts loam, one part peat, and one part sand can provide the ideal balance of drainage and nutrient retention.

Repotting

Madeiran rowan trees do not require frequent repotting; it is typically needed every 3 to 5 years. Young trees benefit from annual repotting, but as they mature, the frequency can be reduced.

Humidity & Misting

The Madeiran rowan prefers moderate humidity levels, consistent with its native habitat. Maintaining ambient outdoor humidity or typical room humidity indoors is generally sufficient.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, cool temps, and avoid dry heat for Madeiran rowan.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-drained soil, with sun or partial shade for Madeiran rowan.

• Hardiness zone

  9-10 USDA

Life cycle

Sorbus aucuparia subsp. maderensis, commonly known as Madeiran Rowan, begins its life as a seed, typically dispersed by birds who feed on its fruit. Upon finding a suitable environment with well-drained soil and some sunlight, the seed germinates in spring, developing a root system and a shoot that emerges from the soil. As a seedling, it spends a few years growing and establishing a robust root system while the shoot develops into a sapling. Upon reaching maturity, the sapling transforms into a fully-grown tree, characterized by pinnate leaves and the development of white flowers in dense corymbs during late spring or early summer. After pollination by insects, these flowers develop into bright red berries by autumn, which are attractive to birds, ensuring seed dispersal. The tree can live for several decades, going through repeated cycles of flowering and fruiting annually until it reaches senescence and eventually dies.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-early summer

• The most popular method for propagating the Madeira Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia subsp. maderensis) is through seed collection and sowing. Seeds should be collected in the fall when the fruit is ripe. They require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy, which can be achieved by mixing the seeds with moist sand and storing them in a refrigerator at about 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit (1-4 degrees Celsius) for approximately 18 weeks. After stratification, the seeds can be sown in pots or a seedbed with well-draining soil in spring. Germination may be slow and uneven but seedlings should emerge in time. Care should be taken to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and to protect young seedlings from extreme weather or pests.