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Growing Stone Fruit

Posted by mt_keg TN - Zone 7 (My Page) on
Tue, Aug 11, 09 at 18:45

I have some peach pits i want to try to germinate and was wondering what the steps were... I looked online and saw that there is a stratification period, but there were different methods and techniques. I know that the plant may never look like the parent but i think it would be cool to try it out. Any help on how to do this or any references to look at would be very helpful!

Thanks


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Growing Stone Fruit

I've been searching the web and have read that a person shouldn't waste their time with trying to grow a peach (or any other stone fruit). When would this statement be true? and why is this true? I went to a farmers market today and had the best peaches ever and was just hoping i could use the pit. What do you all think?

Thanks


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RE: Growing Stone Fruit

  • Posted by morz8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
    Tue, Aug 11, 09 at 23:24

The statement would be true if it's really a good tasting peach of a certain variety you are hoping to grow without waiting a few years to see what kind of tree you actually have :)

Starting peach trees from seeds is not recommended because the seed will not exactly produce the same variety as the tree the pit came from. Most varieties of peach trees blossom in early to late spring. It's vital to choose a peach tree that matches up with the weather conditions in your actual area; otherwise, you run the risk of having a tree that never blooms....and remember, started from seed you've waited a few years to find that out.
There are dozens of varieties of peach trees, and most peach trees are self-pollinating, so that a single tree may be planted at a time. A few varieties require cross-pollination; these trees must be planted in pairs or they will not bloom....so another reason to want to know what tree you are growing.

If you are still interested in starting one from your pits taken from the fruit you ate : Place the seeds in moist sterile sand or moist vermiculite in January and then in a zip-lock plastic bag in the refrigerator until April. At this time they will be ready to plant in a pot or in the ground - about 2" deep. Or place the seeds in a pot of loose potting soil in early winter, put it outside and allow Mother Nature to do the job for you. (you may have to protect from squirrels, rodents)


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RE: Growing Stone Fruit

Well i plan on going to the farmers market later in the week... if i find out what kind they are and if the tree was grafted would that allow for a better decision on if i should plant it or not?


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RE: Growing Stone Fruit

  • Posted by morz8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
    Wed, Aug 12, 09 at 10:40

Yes, that could help, but also ask if they are growing more than one kind of peach - the cross pollination factor again. And I should have said planted in pairs or they won't set fruit, not won't bloom - the fingers on my keyboard don't always have a clear connection to my mind :)


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RE: Growing Stone Fruit

Dry the pit out for a week or longer, put it in a moist/wet paper towel, put it in a plastic baggie, seal it good, put it in the refrigerator...wait until Feb/March and you'll have seedlings.

Source: me...i've done this for a few years now. Just remember they aren't going to fruit for a few years.


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