Heirloom Organic Peach Tree Seeds

2 Heirloom Organic Peach Tree Seeds

Plant the Peach Seed
The deeply wrinkled covering you see on a peach pit is actually not part of the seed. This covering, called the endocarp, envelops the seed, which is smooth. Gently cracking the endocarp with a nutcracker or some pliers is optional and will speed up germination.

Using a high-quality growing mix will ensure that your peach seed gets the best start. A soil-free sterile potting mix, sphagnum moss, or vermiculite are all suitable growing mediums for a peach seed. Choose a large container at least 12 inches tall to allow room for the tap root to develop. Plant the seed an inch deep, and keep moist. Now that your seed has completed its cold dormancy, you can place it in a warm environment to encourage sprouting.

Wait for Germination
Depending on whether you cracked the endocarp, germination will take place in four to six weeks. The tap root will emerge before the top growth appears. The first leaves to appear will be the seed leaves, or cotyledons.

My Peach Seed Sprouted, Now What?
After your peach tree sprouts, it's important to acclimate the plant to the outdoors to prepare it for transplanting, as it will soon outgrow its container. After the peach seedling has at least two sets of true leaves, when all danger of frost is past, place it outdoors in a sheltered area for two hours. The following day, place it outdoors for three hours. Add an hour each day, until the peach plant is accustomed to the sun, wind, and temperatures outside.

Choose a site for your peach with full sun and excellent drainage. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the tap root of the peach plant without damaging it. Keep your peach tree moderately moist through its first growing season. The sapling will take about three years to reach maturity, when it will be capable of producing flowers and fruit.