Ever consider putting the seed of a wonderful fruit to establish a new tree? Peach and apricot trees may be produced from seed, despite the fact that common fruits are often propagated by grafting. Read on to see how! While sowing the seeds of apples, pears, plums, and cherries might also result in a new tree, the seedling tree’s fruit will rarely resemble that of the parent tree.
In many instances, even seeds from the apple with the finest flavor can produce a tree with inedible or low-quality fruit. A seedling tree also lacks the dwarfing characteristics of a tree grafted on a dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstock, therefore a seedling apple tree may reach a height of 30 feet.
For these reasons, vegetative propagation by grafting is the principal method for producing new fruit trees. Peaches and apricots are often true to seed, meaning that a seedling tree will resemble the parent tree and produce identical fruit. Although peach and apricot trees are grafted in commercial orchards, a seedling tree is an excellent alternative for a backyard or community garden orchard. Save the pits from locally farmed, fully ripe, delicious fruits. Using a brush and water, remove all fruit particles from pits. Allow to air-dry for several days on your counter, if possible. The seed can be extracted by dismantling the pit. You can use a vise, nut cracker, or hammer as a last resort.
- Please do not allow anyone to consume this seed, as it contains a small quantity of lethal cyanide.
- Optional step that increases germination.
- Until you are ready to begin the germination process, store your seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- In the fall, plant numerous seeds or pits 3 to 4 feet deep in a container or in the ground.
Water well. If in a container, bury the container so that the top of the container and the soil line are even. Add several inches of mulch on top for more insulation. Choose a spot with care so that it does not become soaked with water. Your seeds must be protected from predators, particularly squirrels.
- Add a protective cage or hardware cloth around the pot, including a few inches into the soil.
- During the winter, water only when the soil is fully dry, but be careful to water deeply when the weather warms.
- In April, seedlings should appear.
- When the tallest of your seedlings reach over a foot in height, replant them.
Choose a sunny, well-drained location. In general, peach trees should bear fruit within three to five years. To germinate, peach seeds must endure a cold winter season, often known as cold stratification. If you reside in a warm climate, you can recreate the chilly temperatures necessary for seed germination in your refrigerator.
Start the process approximately four months before the final day of spring frost. Soak seeds overnight in room temperature water. Place seeds in a bag or container containing moistened potting soil. Store in refrigerator. The objective is to maintain them cold and wet, yet mold-free. Between one and three months, depending on the type of peach, you should observe the emergence of thick, white rootlets.
The optimal period to plant is around one month before the final frost. Even if grown earlier, refrigerate sprouted seeds until that time. Plant in a container at least 12 inches deep, or straight into the soil. Should receive 1″ each week of precipitation or irrigation. 
If you’ve started a peach from seed, please tag us on social media with @phillyorchards – we’d love to follow along! MORE INFO: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-fruit-trees-zmaz08jjzmcc.aspx?PageId=1 http://www.garden.org/foodguide/browse/fruit/peach/1387 This version of POP TIPS was revised by Education Director Corrie Spellman-Lopez with assistance from POP Intern Rachel Baltuch.
How to germinate and cultivate peach seedlings
Step 3: Stratification And Germination Of Peach Seeds – Peach seeds will germinate in the spring after falling to the ground in the autumn, being mulched with leaves in the winter, and covered with snow in the spring. Similar to apricot, nectarines, and plum seeds, peach seeds require more time to germinate.
In order to expedite germination, seeds might be stratified or tricked into sprouting. The refrigerator door is great for this procedure. Initiate the procedure by placing the seeds in pots containing potting soil. If you want a less messy method, you can lay the seeds on a paper towel, fold it to enclose the seeds, and then thoroughly moisten the paper towel.
Store it in a Ziploc bag, mark it with the date and type of seed, and then place it in the door of the refrigerator, where the temperature is optimal and it can be easily observed. After one month, evaluate the development.
Can peaches be grown from seed in the fall?
How to Plant a Peach Stone – As previously said, peach seeds are planted in the fall. They should be planted in well-draining soil, ideally amended with compost or other organic matter. Plant the hole around three to four inches (eight to ten centimeters) deep, then cover it with approximately one inch (2.5 centimeters) of straw or equivalent mulch for the winter.
Can a peach tree be grown from pits?
Here’s Proof That a Peach Tree Can Grow from Seed! – Here is a video I made showing some of my peach trees grown from seed bearing fruit: And here are two images of some of the lovely fruit I grew from peach pits germinated in my own refrigerator: My two seedling peach trees produced around 5 gallons of fruit in their second year.
They continued to produce more than the grafted peach trees I had planted previously, and they grew more vigorously. It’s a wonderful thing to understand how to develop a peach tree from a seed, and it’s also a great deal of fun to apply this knowledge to cultivating a variety other fruit trees. Watch this video to learn how I germinated additional fruit tree seeds! Occasionally, “experts” are not always accurate.
They are simply individuals who assert things vehemently because they have heard others do so. To hell with that! Learn how to plant a peach stone and you will receive a free fruit tree. Easy! You May Also Like: “Eleven Tips for Successful Fall Fruit Tree Planting” “Cultivating Lettuce From Seed” “Easily Clone Your Favorite Tree Using Air-Layering” The same procedure is applicable to both plums and cherries.