The satisfaction of growing a tree from the seed is incomparable. Growing a peach tree is even more satisfying as the fruit is delicious and refreshing. But growing a tree for the pit is much time consuming than growing it from full-grown plants. There are some extra tools needed and much more effort as well. But the results are worth the effort. So, let’s jump into it without delay.
Tools to be used to Complete the Process
for the whole process, you will need some very specific tools. They are a nutcracker/hammer, airtight plastic bag, plant pot, Gardening trowel, garden fork, fence/cage, and watering can. With these, you need to add some personal protective gear as well, such as gardening gloves, boots and eye protection goggles. Safety gears are not optional because you can never be too careful.
How to Grow A Peach Tree from A Pit?
Before we get into the actual growing tree part, you need to keep some facts in mind. First of all, collecting the pit/seed from locally harvested peach is important because the Environment tolerance varies for different types of peach trees grown in different country climates. And it would be best if you always germinated several pits at the same time because you never know which pit will grow the perfect roots for the healthiest tree. So, let’s get into the process then.
Step 1: Prepare the Pit/Seed.
To prepare the pits, you need to crack the shells of the pit and separate the kernel. You can use a nutcracker or hammer. Many gardening experts debate the necessity of this step. Because you can always germinate the whole seed. But removing the shell helps the pit to germinate faster and helps the pit to get familiar with the soil environment. So, preparing your peach pits is an essential part of the process. Note that, besides using locally harvested peach pits, you should also use fresh ones.
Step 2: Refrigerate to Germinate.
Now that your seeds are ready, it is time to help them start germinating. For that, you need to take some moist (not wet) potting soil in an airtight plastic bag and put the kernels in the middle of the soil. It would best if you use different plastic bags for each seed. Now seal the bags and make a few holes on them with a pin carefully. The pin holes are for the soil to pass enough air so that the seed can breathe. Now it is time to put it in the refrigerator in regular mode for at least two to three months. The reason for refrigerating the pits is to accelerate the germination process through Cold stratification. If you live in a part of the world where winter is the main season, then you can directly plant it in your backyard eight weeks before spring. It will germinate itself in the cold weather perfectly.
Step 3: Check for Roots.
When you evaluate the seed call condition after two to three months of germination period, you need to check the root length. If the pit has at least half an inch-long roots, then it is safe to remove it from the refrigerator then proceed to the next step. If not, it needs to stay in the cold stratification for a little bit longer.
Step 4: Pot the Seedling
After removing the seedling from the refrigerator, you will need the plant pot to plant it. For the plantation, you need to use moist soil and plant the seedling in the middle. Keeping the pot in a sunny location will be helpful, but you need to make sure the soil is never dry and keep it moist with water. The best outdoor environment for the pot phase is the early spring, right after the last frost of winter. The weather then is perfect for the seedling to grow into a healthy plant. Now, wait and monitor the pots until they have sprouted into tiny trees, aka healthy plants.
Step 5: Plant in The Garden
This is the part usually every common garden owner starts from. They buy a plant and It is directly planted in the garden. So, in this step, you are going to do the same with the plant you grew. So, take the strongest of the sprouted peach trees, and plant it in the eastern or northern part of the garden for better sunlight exposure. You will need the gardening trowel, fork, gloves, watering can and every other gardening tool on this step. Use the fork and water to prepare the soil. At this stage, you can use a small amount of fertilizer as well. Then use the trowel to dig deep enough for the Roots to go in. Cover it up adequately, and you can mulch to secure the area.
Step 6: Monitoring and Maintenance
A peach tree seed takes about a year to Form into a tree and then four years to fully develop its potential health and start growing fruits in gardening years that is really fast. But for this to happen swiftly, you have to put some effort into taking care of sprouted small trees from the previous step. You need to monitor the growth, water the plant in the dry season, and add necessary fertilizer, fence it, provide stick support in early-stage and anti-insect sprays etc. If you can keep up with these usual planting maintenance, you will be able to enjoy your own grown peaches in a few years without any hassle.
Bottom Line
So, this is how to grow a peach tree from a pit. The steps are simple. You just need to prepare the seed, germinate it by cold stratification, move to the pot to grow into a plant and then carefully plant it into your garden.
Remember to work with several pits at the same time. Then You can choose the strongest and healthiest one from them, and you can always give away the others if you don’t have much space in your garden. Also, you should never use too much fertilizer or mulching for the uninterrupted growth of the tree. They are harmful to the development of the peach tree. If you follow these steps and notes thoroughly, you and your family will be able to enjoy the delights of home harvested peaches for the long time ahead.
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