How to Plant Cherry Seeds
Growing cherry trees from seeds can be a rewarding experience, as you watch them transform from tiny seedlings to abundant fruit-producing trees. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to plant cherry seeds and eventually enjoy their delicious fruits.
1. Collect cherry seeds
Choose a ripe cherry from a healthy tree, remove the flesh, and extract the seed (or pit) inside. You may want to collect several seeds to increase your chances of growing a successful cherry tree.
2. Stratification
Cherry seeds require stratification, which is a cold treatment that simulates winter conditions and stimulates germination. To stratify cherry seeds, rinse them with water and then place them in a container filled with damp peat moss or sand. Seal the container and place it in your refrigerator at around 37-40°F (3-5°C). Leave the seeds for 10-16 weeks, occasionally checking for mold or moisture levels.
3. Germination
After stratification, you’ll need to germinate the cherry seeds before planting them outdoors. Fill small pots with well-draining seed starting mix, and plant each seed no more than 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) deep in its respective pot. Moisten the mix lightly and keep it consistently moist but not soggy.
Place the pots in a warm area with temperatures around 70°F (21°C), preferably with indirect sunlight. It can take up to eight weeks for the cherry seeds to sprout, so be patient.
4. Growth monitoring and transplanting
Once your seedlings have emerged, move them to a sunny area indoors or under grow lights. Make sure they get at least 12 hours of light per day. Let them grow until they are about 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) tall and have at least two sets of leaves.
5. Harden off the seedlings
Before transplanting your cherry seedlings outside, it’s essential to prepare them for outdoor conditions. Gradually expose them to sunlight and temperature fluctuations over a week or two by placing the pots outdoors during the day and bringing them inside at night.
6. Choose a suitable planting site
Cherry trees need plenty of sunlight (at least 6-8 hours per day) and well-draining soil. Make sure to leave enough space around your tree for its mature size, typically around 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) apart from other trees.
7. Transplanting the seedlings
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your seedling. Carefully remove the cherry plant from its pot, place it in the hole, and backfill with soil mixed with organic compost. Gently firm the soil and water thoroughly.
8. Tree care
Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the first growing season, but avoid overwatering or letting the roots sit in overly saturated soil. Fertilize young cherry trees every year in early spring using organic fertilizers specifically designed for fruit trees.
9. First bloom and fruiting
Be patient! It can take up to 5-7 years for cherry trees grown from seeds to produce their first blooms and fruits. But once they do, you’ll have an attractive, bountiful tree in your backyard everyone will envy.
With patience and diligent care, you’ll see those tiny cherry seeds evolve into beautiful, fruit-bearing trees that will reward you with their sweet treasures for many years to come. Happy planting!