What To Know
- You might be surprised to learn that growing cherries from seed at home is possible, though it does require patience and a bit of know-how.
- Spread the seeds on a paper towel and allow them to air dry for a few days.
- Once your cherry tree begins to produce fruit, it’s important to thin the fruit to ensure the remaining cherries have ample room to grow to full size.
Dreaming of a backyard orchard bursting with juicy, sweet cherries? You might be surprised to learn that growing cherries from seed at home is possible, though it does require patience and a bit of know-how. This guide will walk you through the process, from selecting the right seeds to nurturing your young cherry trees to maturity.
Getting Started: Choosing Your Seeds
The first step in your cherry-growing journey is choosing the right seeds. While you can purchase cherry seeds online, a more rewarding approach is to collect them from your favorite cherries. Here’s how:
- Select ripe cherries: Look for plump, juicy cherries that are fully ripe and free of blemishes.
- Extract the seeds: Carefully remove the seeds from the cherries, making sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any pulp or residue.
- Dry the seeds: Spread the seeds on a paper towel and allow them to air dry for a few days. This helps to prevent mold growth.
Preparing for Planting: Stratification and Germination
Cherry seeds require a period of cold stratification before they will germinate. This mimics the natural winter conditions that the seeds would experience in their native environment.
- Stratification: Place the dried seeds in a sealed container filled with moist peat moss or vermiculite. Store the container in the refrigerator for 60-90 days.
- Germination: After the stratification period, remove the seeds from the refrigerator and sow them in seed trays or small pots filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the pots in a sunny location and wait patiently for germination, which can take several weeks.
Nurturing Young Cherry Trees: Transplanting and Care
Once your cherry seedlings have developed a few true leaves, it’s time to transplant them.
- Transplanting: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the seedling’s root ball. Gently loosen the roots and place the seedling in the hole, ensuring the root crown is at soil level. Backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly.
- Watering: Cherry trees need consistent moisture, especially during the first few years. Water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for fruit trees, applying it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Pruning: Pruning helps to shape your cherry tree and encourage fruit production. Prune during the dormant season, removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
Patience and Persistence: Waiting for Fruit
Growing cherries from seed requires patience. It may take several years for your cherry tree to produce fruit.
- Pollination: Cherry trees are self-incompatible, meaning they need pollen from a different variety to produce fruit. If you only have one cherry tree, you’ll need to hand-pollinate the flowers or plant a second, compatible variety nearby.
- Fruiting: Once your cherry tree begins to produce fruit, it’s important to thin the fruit to ensure the remaining cherries have ample room to grow to full size.
Challenges and Solutions: Common Problems and Their Remedies
Even with careful attention, cherry trees can be susceptible to certain pests and diseases.
- Pests: Common cherry pests include aphids, scale insects, and cherry fruit flies. Control these pests using insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
- Diseases: Cherry trees can be affected by fungal diseases like brown rot and leaf spot. These diseases can be prevented with good sanitation practices and fungicide applications.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor: Harvesting and Storage
After months of anticipation, the moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived: cherry harvest!
- Harvesting: Pick cherries when they are fully ripe and have reached their peak sweetness.
- Storage: Fresh cherries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cherries whole or process them into jams, jellies, or pies.
A Sweet Reward: The Joy of Homegrown Cherries
Growing cherries from seed is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s a journey that requires patience, but the satisfaction of savoring your own homegrown cherries is well worth the effort.
What People Want to Know
Q: How long does it take for a cherry tree grown from seed to produce fruit?
A: It can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years for a cherry tree grown from seed to bear fruit.
Q: Can I grow cherries in a pot?
A: While it’s possible to grow cherry trees in pots, they will require regular fertilization and repotting as they grow.
Q: What are the best cherry varieties for growing from seed?
A: Some popular cherry varieties that are relatively easy to grow from seed include Bing, Rainier, and Stella.
Q: Can I use cherry pits from store-bought cherries?
A: Yes, you can use cherry pits from store-bought cherries, but keep in mind that the resulting trees may not be true-to-type.
Q: What are some tips for preventing cherry diseases?
A: Practice good sanitation by removing and destroying diseased leaves and fruit. Apply fungicides as needed.
