Growing cherry trees from seed is a rewarding and cost-effective way to cultivate your own home orchard. While many backyard fruit growers opt for purchasing young cherry trees at nurseries, planting seeds offers a unique gardening adventure with the added benefit of potentially creating a tree that thrives in your specific climate. However, before diving into this project, it’s essential to understand the process, challenges, and care required to successfully grow cherry trees from seed.
Why Grow Cherry Trees from Seed?
Learning how to grow cherry trees from seed can give you showy, fragrant blossoms in spring and delicious fruits in late spring and early summer. Sweet cherries or sour cherries? Red or black? Self-pollinating or cross-pollinating? The choice is yours, but keep in mind that growing cherry trees from fresh, local seeds ensures the trees are adapted to your USDA plant hardiness zone.
Key Considerations Before You Begin
- Cherry Tree Types :
- Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium) : Ideal for eating fresh, these thrive in USDA Zones 5-7 (or Zones 8-9 in the Pacific Northwest). They grow up to 35 feet tall.
- Sour Cherries (Prunus cerasus) : Perfect for cooking and baking, sour cherries are hardier and grow well in Zones 4-6, reaching heights of about 20 feet.
- Pollination Needs : Most sweet cherries require a second compatible cultivar for pollination, while sour cherries are self-pollinating. If space is limited, consider dwarf varieties like the semi-dwarf ‘Stella’ cherry tree, which is self-pollinating.
- Seed Viability : Always use fresh, local cherries for pits. Avoid supermarket cherries, as they may have been refrigerated, affecting seed viability.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Cherry Trees from Seed
Step 1: Selecting and Preparing Seeds
Start by choosing healthy, ripe cherries from a reliable source. Remove the pits and clean them thoroughly to eliminate any remaining fruit pulp. Soak the cleaned pits in warm water for a few minutes to rehydrate them, then let them dry on a paper towel for about five days in a warm area, such as a sunny windowsill.
Step 2: Stratification Process
Stratification mimics the natural cold period seeds experience during winter, preparing them for germination. Wrap the dried seeds in a slightly damp paper towel or sphagnum moss and place them in a plastic bag or glass jar. Store the container in the refrigerator for approximately ten weeks, checking periodically for signs of sprouting.
Tip: Mark the date on your calendar to avoid forgetting the seeds in the fridge!
Step 3: Planting Seeds Indoors (Spring Method)
After stratification, remove the seeds from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature. Plant two or three pits per small container filled with moist potting soil. Place the containers in a sunny spot and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once the seedlings reach 2 inches tall, thin them out, keeping only the strongest plants.
Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, ensuring they are planted in a sunny, well-drained location.
Step 4: Direct Sowing Outdoors (Fall Method)
If you prefer a hands-off approach, skip the indoor stratification steps and sow the seeds directly outside in the fall. Clean and dry the seeds, then plant them 1 inch deep in well-draining soil. Cover the area with mulch to retain moisture. The seeds will naturally stratify over the winter and sprout in the spring.
Caring for Your Growing Cherry Trees
- Sunlight and Soil Requirements : Cherry trees need full sun—about six to eight hours daily—and well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5-6.7). For sandy or heavy clay soils, amend with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
- Watering and Feeding : Newly planted trees require regular watering during their first year, especially during hot and dry spells. Established trees generally need less frequent watering unless grown in pots or against walls. Feed your cherry trees with high-potassium fertilizer in late winter and again in spring to encourage fruit production.
- Pruning and Training : Prune annually in July or August to maintain an open canopy and promote air circulation. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, shaping the tree into a goblet form. Trained forms like espaliers or fans work well in small spaces.
- Protecting from Wildlife : Young cherry trees are vulnerable to deer, rabbits, and other wildlife. Protect them by wrapping trunks in burlap during winter. Netting can deter birds from stealing your crop once the cherries ripen.
Challenges and Expectations
Will My Cherry Tree Produce Fruit?
It takes patience when growing cherry trees from seed. Trees grown from pits may take three to ten years to bear fruit, depending on the variety. Additionally, seed-grown trees rarely produce fruit identical to the parent plant due to genetic variability. Sour cherry seeds tend to breed true more often than sweet cherry seeds.
Common Problems
- Silver Leaf Disease : Prune after harvest to minimize infection risks.
- Canker : Remove all infected wood promptly.
- Birds and Frost : Use netting and protective coverings to safeguard your crop.
Final Thoughts
Growing cherry trees from seed is a fun and educational project suitable for gardeners of all skill levels. While it requires patience and care, the reward of watching your seedling mature into a fruit-bearing tree is unmatched. Whether you’re planting for fresh eating, cooking, or simply enjoying the beauty of spring blossoms, this guide provides everything you need to succeed.
How to Start an Organic Garden with Organic Garden Seeds: A Step-by-Step Guide