Howdy! What do I need to do to have most chance of success in planting a peach pit? These peaches are the best I've ever eaten, and I'd love to replicate them! Thanks in advance for the invaluable advice!

-- Jennifer (oortiz@tstar.net), May 26, 2001

Answers

A peach is a temperate zone tree and, as such, its seeds need a period of "chilling" before the seed can properly germinate and grow. They may grow without a chilling treatment, but the plant will do poorly and probably not survive.

This chilling treatment is also called "stratification." To stratify a seed, place it in a plastic bag with moist peat moss or vermiculite in the refrigerator (temperature near 40 degrees) for six to eight weeks. Following this treatment, the seeds may be planted outside or in a container and allowed to grow. Plant the seed about 4 to 5 inches deep.

It is not necessary to split the pit and remove the seed. In fact, this often damages the seed. So, just stratify the seed in the refrigerator and then plant it.

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), May 26, 2001.

Most fruit trees are not pure strains and as such seldome breed true. Many varieties do not pollenate themselves well and requite a second variety for pollen. The odds of a seedling's fruit resembling the fruit the seed came out of are pretty slim. Grow it for the fun of it if you have the room, but don't keep your hopes up.

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), May 26, 2001.