How to Grow Your Own Cherry Tree from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing your own cherry tree from seed is a rewarding, albeit patient, endeavor. While it takes longer than planting a sapling, starting from seed allows you to cultivate a tree perfectly adapted to your local environment. This comprehensive guide provides you with detailed steps and instructions to successfully germinate cherry seeds and nurture them into healthy, fruit-bearing trees.
## Understanding Cherry Seed Propagation
Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand the basics of cherry seed propagation. Cherry seeds require a period of cold stratification – a process that mimics winter conditions to break dormancy and trigger germination. This involves exposing the seeds to cold, moist conditions for an extended period. Additionally, not all cherry varieties produce true-to-type trees from seed, meaning the offspring might not possess the exact characteristics of the parent tree. However, for many home gardeners, this genetic variation is part of the fun!
### True-to-Type vs. Hybrid Cherries:
* **True-to-type:** These cherry varieties, when grown from seed, will produce trees with similar characteristics to the parent tree. Heirloom or open-pollinated varieties are more likely to be true-to-type.
* **Hybrid:** Hybrid cherry varieties are created by cross-pollinating two different parent trees. Seeds from hybrid cherries are unlikely to produce trees identical to the parent, and may exhibit a mix of traits from both parents. Many commercially available cherry varieties are hybrids.
Even with hybrid seeds, you’ll still get a cherry tree; it just might produce fruit with slightly different size, flavor, or ripening time.
## Materials You’ll Need:
* **Cherry pits:** Collect pits from ripe cherries. Choose cherries from healthy, disease-free trees.
* **Sharp knife or nutcracker:** For removing the pit from the cherry.
* **Small bowl or container:** To soak the pits.
* **Paper towels:** For drying the pits.
* **Sealable plastic bags or containers:** For stratification.
* **Stratification medium:** Options include:
* **Moist peat moss:** Retains moisture well and provides a good environment for stratification.
* **Moist sand:** Offers good drainage and aeration.
* **Moist vermiculite:** Lightweight and retains moisture.
* **Permanent marker:** For labeling bags or containers.
* **Potting mix:** A well-draining mix formulated for seed starting.
* **Small pots or seedling trays:** For planting germinated seeds.
* **Watering can or spray bottle:** For watering seedlings.
* **Optional: Rooting hormone powder:** To encourage root development (not always necessary but can improve success).
* **Gardening gloves:** To protect your hands.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Cherry Seeds:
### Step 1: Collecting and Cleaning Cherry Pits
The first step is to obtain cherry pits from ripe cherries. You can use cherries you’ve purchased or, ideally, cherries from a tree you know produces good fruit. The fresher the cherries, the better the chances of successful germination.
1. **Harvest Ripe Cherries:** Choose fully ripe cherries. Overripe cherries are fine, but avoid cherries that show signs of disease or mold.
2. **Remove the Pulp:** Carefully remove the pulp from the cherries. You can do this by eating the cherries (enjoy!) and saving the pits, or by using a sharp knife to carefully cut away the pulp. Ensure you don’t damage the pit itself.
3. **Clean the Pits:** Thoroughly clean the pits under running water to remove any remaining pulp. This is crucial to prevent mold growth during stratification.
4. **Soak the Pits (Optional):** Some gardeners recommend soaking the cleaned pits in water for 24 hours. This helps to rehydrate the seeds and potentially improve germination rates. Discard any pits that float, as they are likely not viable.
5. **Dry the Pits:** Spread the cleaned and soaked (if applicable) pits on a paper towel and allow them to air dry for a few days. Make sure they are completely dry to prevent mold during storage.
### Step 2: Stratification (Cold Treatment)
Stratification is the most crucial step for germinating cherry seeds. It mimics the natural winter conditions that the seeds would experience in the wild, breaking their dormancy.
1. **Prepare the Stratification Medium:** Moisten your chosen stratification medium (peat moss, sand, or vermiculite) with water. It should be damp but not soggy. Squeeze out any excess water.
2. **Prepare the Container:** Place a layer of the moistened stratification medium in a sealable plastic bag or container.
3. **Layer the Pits:** Place the dried cherry pits on top of the medium, ensuring they are not touching each other. You can layer the pits with more of the medium, ensuring each pit is surrounded by the moist medium.
4. **Seal and Label:** Seal the bag or container tightly. Label it with the date and the type of cherry. This is important if you are stratifying different types of seeds at the same time.
5. **Refrigerate:** Place the sealed bag or container in the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for stratification is between 33°F and 41°F (0.5°C and 5°C). The stratification period typically lasts for 90-120 days, but some varieties may require longer. Sweet cherries generally need the longer end of this range. Tart cherries might germinate with a shorter stratification period.
6. **Monitor Moisture:** Check the moisture level of the stratification medium regularly. It should remain consistently moist but not waterlogged. If it starts to dry out, lightly mist it with water. Also, check for any signs of mold or fungus. If you see any, remove the affected pits and replace the medium.
### Step 3: Checking for Germination (Optional but Recommended)
While not essential, periodically checking for germination during stratification can give you a head start.
1. **Check Periodically:** After about 60 days, start checking the pits for signs of germination. Look for small roots emerging from the pit.
2. **Remove Germinated Pits:** If you see any germinated pits, carefully remove them from the stratification medium and proceed to the planting stage (Step 4).
### Step 4: Planting the Germinated Seeds
Once the stratification period is complete (or you’ve identified germinated seeds), it’s time to plant the seeds in pots.
1. **Prepare the Pots:** Fill small pots or seedling trays with a well-draining potting mix. Make sure the pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
2. **Plant the Seeds:** Make a small hole in the center of each pot, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep. Place the germinated seed (or the stratified seed, if you didn’t pre-germinate) in the hole, with the root (if visible) pointing downwards. Gently cover the seed with potting mix.
3. **Water Gently:** Water the pots gently using a watering can or spray bottle. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
4. **Provide Light:** Place the pots in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Seedlings need plenty of light to grow, but direct sunlight can scorch them. A south-facing window is often a good choice. You can also use grow lights if you don’t have enough natural light. If you are using grow lights, keep them a few inches above the seedlings and provide 14-16 hours of light per day.
5. **Maintain Temperature:** Maintain a consistent temperature of around 65-75°F (18-24°C) for optimal germination and growth. You can use a heat mat under the pots to provide bottom heat, which can speed up germination.
### Step 5: Caring for the Seedlings
Once the seedlings emerge, continue to provide proper care to ensure their healthy growth.
1. **Watering:** Water the seedlings regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot.
2. **Fertilizing:** Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, you can start fertilizing them with a diluted balanced fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn the seedlings. A diluted liquid fertilizer applied every two weeks is usually sufficient.
3. **Thinning (if necessary):** If you planted multiple seeds in the same pot and more than one seedling emerges, thin them out to leave only the strongest seedling in each pot. This will prevent overcrowding and allow each seedling to develop properly.
4. **Repotting:** As the seedlings grow, they will need to be repotted into larger pots. Choose pots that are a few inches larger in diameter than the current pots. Gently remove the seedlings from their old pots and replant them in the new pots, being careful not to damage the roots.
5. **Hardening Off:** Before transplanting the seedlings outdoors, you need to harden them off. This process gradually acclimates them to outdoor conditions, reducing the risk of shock. Start by placing the seedlings outdoors in a sheltered location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outdoors over a period of one to two weeks. Protect them from strong winds and direct sunlight during the hardening-off process.
### Step 6: Transplanting Outdoors
Once the seedlings have been hardened off, they are ready to be transplanted outdoors. Choose a suitable location for your cherry tree, considering the following factors:
* **Sunlight:** Cherry trees need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
* **Soil:** Cherry trees prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.0). Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
* **Space:** Cherry trees need plenty of space to grow. Sweet cherry trees can grow to be quite large, so make sure to plant them at least 20-30 feet apart. Tart cherry trees are smaller and can be planted closer together.
* **Pollination:** Some cherry varieties are self-pollinating, while others require a pollinator. If you are planting a cherry variety that requires a pollinator, make sure to plant another compatible cherry tree nearby.
1. **Dig a Hole:** Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole to encourage root growth.
2. **Remove the Seedling from the Pot:** Gently remove the seedling from its pot, being careful not to damage the roots. If the roots are pot-bound (circling around the inside of the pot), gently loosen them before planting.
3. **Plant the Seedling:** Place the seedling in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets.
4. **Water Thoroughly:** Water the newly planted seedling thoroughly.
5. **Mulch:** Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
6. **Protect from Pests and Diseases:** Cherry trees are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Monitor your tree regularly and take appropriate measures to control any problems that arise. Consult your local extension office for recommendations on pest and disease control.
### Step 7: Ongoing Care
Growing a cherry tree from seed requires ongoing care to ensure its health and productivity.
1. **Watering:** Water the tree regularly, especially during dry periods. Mature cherry trees need about 1 inch of water per week. Deep watering is more effective than frequent shallow watering.
2. **Fertilizing:** Fertilize the tree annually in the spring with a balanced fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
3. **Pruning:** Prune the tree annually to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and improve air circulation. The best time to prune cherry trees is in late winter or early spring, before the buds begin to swell.
4. **Pest and Disease Control:** Continue to monitor the tree for pests and diseases and take appropriate measures to control them.
5. **Harvesting:** Cherry trees typically begin to bear fruit in 3-5 years when grown from seed. Harvest the cherries when they are fully ripe and have reached their full color.
## Tips for Success:
* **Use Fresh Seeds:** Fresh cherry seeds have a higher germination rate than older seeds.
* **Be Patient:** Growing a cherry tree from seed takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your seeds don’t germinate right away. It can take several weeks or even months for them to sprout.
* **Choose the Right Variety:** Select a cherry variety that is well-suited to your local climate and growing conditions.
* **Provide Proper Drainage:** Cherry trees need well-draining soil to thrive. Avoid planting them in areas where the soil is consistently wet or waterlogged.
* **Protect from Pests and Diseases:** Cherry trees are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Monitor your tree regularly and take appropriate measures to control any problems that arise.
* **Consider Grafting:** If you want to ensure that your cherry tree produces fruit that is true to type, consider grafting a scion (a cutting from a known variety) onto your seedling rootstock. Grafting is a more advanced technique, but it can significantly improve the chances of success.
* **Join a Local Gardening Club:** Connecting with other gardeners in your area can provide valuable advice and support. Gardening clubs often host workshops and events where you can learn more about growing fruit trees.
## Troubleshooting:
* **Seeds Not Germinating:** If your cherry seeds are not germinating, make sure they have been properly stratified. The stratification period may need to be extended. Also, check the moisture level of the stratification medium and make sure it is not too dry or too wet. If you’re using seeds from store-bought cherries, the viability could be lower than from a known, healthy tree.
* **Seedlings Dying:** Seedlings can die due to a variety of factors, including overwatering, underwatering, lack of light, and disease. Make sure to provide proper care to your seedlings and monitor them regularly for any signs of problems. Root rot is a common issue caused by overwatering, presenting as wilting or browning leaves. Good drainage is key to prevent this.
* **Pests and Diseases:** Cherry trees are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Identify the specific pest or disease affecting your tree and take appropriate measures to control it. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and cherry fruit flies. Common diseases include brown rot, cherry leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
## Conclusion:
Growing a cherry tree from seed is a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these steps and providing proper care, you can successfully germinate cherry seeds and nurture them into healthy, fruit-bearing trees. Remember to be patient and persistent, and enjoy the process of watching your tree grow from a tiny seed into a magnificent specimen. The satisfaction of harvesting your own homegrown cherries will be well worth the effort!