How to Prepare Fruit Seeds for Planting

Overview

Many types of fruit trees--such as peach, nectarine, apple, pear, plum, and citrus trees--can be grown from seeds. Some seeds, such as those from citrus trees, can be started immediately. Others may need special preparation to promote germination. Some require a technique called scarification, which removes or thins the seed coat to allow for better oxygen and water infiltration into the seeds. Others may need a certain amount of time at cold temperatures. This method is called breaking dormancy. The type of preparation depends on the species of fruit seed.

Step 1

Remove seeds from their fruit. If fruit has a hard pit, open the pit with a nutcracker to remove the seed.

Step 2

Examine the seeds to guarantee that they are fresh and damaged. Clean the seeds in water.

Step 3

Scarify your seeds to allow water and oxygen to enter the seed, if necessary, by following either of the two steps below.

Step 4

Use a file, knife or other sharp implement to remove part of the seed coat.

Step 5

Place nearly boiling water in a bowl and immerse the seeds in the water for 24 hours. Remove the seeds and dry them.

Step 6

Break the dormancy of certain seeds, for certain species of trees including peach, pear, plum, apple, nectarine and apricot, following either of the steps below.

Step 7

Plant the seeds in the ground, in fall, in areas where the temperature will drop below 40 degrees F for 60 to 120 days, depending on the species of tree.

Step 8

In warmer areas, put seeds 1 inch deep in a container filled with equal amounts of peat moss and coarse sand, and place in the refrigerator for 60 to 120 days. Keep the soil from damp, but not dry.