Can the seeds inside cherries be planted, and how do you plant them?

Cherry trees bloom in early March each year, and the fruit ripening period is from late April to early May. When cherry blossoms bloom, their beauty is beyond description, and when cherries ripen, they are even more mouthwatering. So do you know whether the seeds inside cherries can be planted? How do you plant cherry seeds?

It is now the season when cherries are on the market. After eating cherries, there will be many cherry seeds, so many friends become curious: can cherry seeds be planted? In fact, cherry seeds can be planted, but there are some issues we need to understand.

Can cherry seeds be planted (method included)

The pits left after eating purchased cherries can grow into cherry seedlings, but sometimes the germination rate is not high. This is because we need ripe cherries, while those generally sold on the market are not fully ripe, since fully ripe ones are not easy to transport, so the survival rate is not high.

In addition, most of the common large cherries on the market are sterile and can only be grafted, but small cherries can be grown, so sometimes the large cherries we grow from seed come out as degenerated varieties.

Conditions for planting cherry seeds

Temperature

It is suitable between 20-25°C, generally between spring and summer, which is exactly the current season for eating cherries! The cherry seeds left after we eat are our seeds.

Tools

A somewhat larger container, prepared cherry seeds, enough soil

How do you plant cherry seeds?

1. Store the seeds

First, you need to obtain healthy, plump, organic cherry seeds. You only need to eat some cherries to get natural pits. After that, soak these cherry pits in warm water for 5 minutes, and all remaining fruit flesh on the pits needs to be cleaned off completely.

Then prepare some paper towels and spread them on the table, put the cleaned and soaked cherry pits on them, and place them in a ventilated, warm place to dry for 3-5 days. After the pits are dry, put them into a washed container with a lid. There must be no moisture inside. Then keep the sealed bottle in the refrigerator for about 10 weeks.

Some friends will ask why the cherry pits need to be kept in the refrigerator for 10 weeks, because cherry pits need to go through a period of cold dormancy before they can germinate. In the natural environment, cherry pits all go through the cold winter, and after that they can germinate in spring.

Putting the pits in the refrigerator also simulates the cold winter, and after 10 weeks they can be sown and propagated.

2. Sowing preparation

After 10 weeks, take the cherry pits out, then place them at room temperature, and prepare a container for sowing. It should be a smaller container with good drainage. The soil should be loose, breathable, and well-draining, avoiding water accumulation in the pot. Small containers are easy to manage and help avoid root rot.

Tip: If you want the cherry pits to germinate and take root as quickly as possible, you also need to prepare a pair of pliers to remove the outer shell of the pits, revealing the white embryo inside. Plant the embryo in the soil so it can germinate faster.

3. Keep the soil moist at all times

Put the pits directly under the soil, bury them shallowly, and water thoroughly. During care, keep the soil slightly moist. They can be placed on a windowsill, in a ventilated place with bright light.

You can put multiple pits in a small container. After the seedlings grow to 2-3 cm, remove some of the weaker seedlings and let the strong seedlings grow in the small pot.

4. Notes for later care

After the seedlings emerge, place them in a place with relatively sufficient sunlight. Until the frost outside has passed and the weather is warm, the seedlings can be placed outside for care, which is more beneficial to the growth of cherry seedlings. After that, the amount of watering can be appropriately reduced.

If you later want to plant the cherry trees in the ground, each one needs to be spaced 6 m apart to avoid planting too densely. Cherry tree growth requires regular fertilization. In the early stage of growth, the main purpose is to promote the growth of branches and leaves, so low-nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used in the early stage.

5. How long does it take for a cherry tree to bear fruit?

Cherry trees generally need to grow for 3-7 years before they bear fruit. However, I generally keep them as potted plants. If you want fruit, it is best to buy cutting seedlings directly. Care takes a very long time and requires more patience. In order to eat sweet cherries, all of this is worth it. Once the cherry tree matures, it will continue to bear fruit every year.