Hi everyone,
This is my first post although I'm registered for long and been lurking the forum even longer. I'm biologist with MSc in applied genetics and breeding and PhD in molecular biology. Mostly, I'm working in front of computer looking for scientific information but I enjoy nature and lab work the most.
Few year ago, I moved to Estonia and we bought a house with a nice yard. Nothing big, but enough to enjoy.
Climate here is very harsh in comparison with what I got used to at south of Europe. Officially, my place (north-west, 2 km from sea) is borderline 6/7 USDA zone.
http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-estonia-plant-hardiness-zone-map-celsius.php
Don't be tricked, it is completely different type of beast then what people have in mind for zones 6 and 7 (especially if USA zones/territories are used as reference). Much less heat, very dump, cold winds, ocessional very cold spels...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Estonia
I got and I'm trying to grow more obscure fruits (at least for Estonia). E.g.
Sorbus domestica "Sossenheimer Riesen", Cydonia oblonga, Crataegus anomala, Sorbomespilus "Desertnaja", Sorbopyrus auricularis "Bulbiformis", Pyronia veitchii, Mespilus germanica, Prunus tomentosa...
However, on my property and around Rosaceae are predominating. Local apples, plums, pears...taste great. I'm very satisfied but I'm looking to plant biologically more diverse trees and shrubs.
So far, I got edible and cold hardy selections of Cornus mas, Cornus kausa, Viburnum opulus, Elaeagnus umbellatam, Sambucus nigra, Schisandra chinensis, Vitis sp., Rubus sp., Ribes sp., Actinia sp, Hippophae rhamnoides,...
There is very limited availability of edible non Rosaceae trees for local climate. Thus, I would like to try and grow them from seeds. Shotgun method. I don't have enough land to do real mass-selection but I can still do some. I do not aim for tasty fruits but even a fact that I can grow them and enjoy looking at live plants will be enough.
I'm looking for following seeds
Asimina triloba (pawpaw)
Castanea sp. hybrids (chestnut; preferably with american chestnut in pedigree)
Hovenia dulcis (Japanese raisin tree)
Torreya sp.
Cephalotaxus sp. (plum-yew)
Diospyros virginiana (American persimmon)
Cudrania tricuspidata
Poncirus trifoliata hybrids (bitter orange)
It is preferable if seeds are from edible fruits/trees but any will do.
I would very much appreciate if you could help me with it.
Best, Srdjan