Grow Cherry Trees from Seed - THE QUICK AND EASY EXPLANATION

Growing a cherry tree from a pit is possible but requires patience and specific steps. The process involves cleaning the pit, stratifying the seed (simulating winter), and then planting it in a pot indoors before transplanting it outdoors once it's established. It's important to note that trees grown from pits may not produce the same quality of fruit as the parent tree. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Gather and Prepare the Pits:

• Choose your cherries: Opt for locally grown cherries from a farmer's market or your own tree, as grocery store cherries may not be well-suited to your climate. 
• Clean the pits: Remove any remaining fruit flesh from the pits by soaking them in warm water and scrubbing gently. 
Dry the pits: Let the cleaned pits dry out completely on paper towels for about a week. 

2. Stratification (Simulating Winter): 

Moist storage: Place the dried pits in a container with moist peat moss or sand. 
Refrigeration: Store the container in the refrigerator for about 10 weeks (3 months) to mimic winter conditions. This process is crucial for the seed to break dormancy and germinate. 

3. Planting and Germination: 

Indoor planting: After stratification, plant the pits indoors in small pots filled with well-draining potting mix. 
Moist conditions: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. 
Sunlight: Place the pots in a warm, sunny location. 
Germination: You can expect to see seedlings emerge in a few weeks, but germination can take longer. 

4. Transplanting:

Hardening off:
Before transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and cooler temperatures. 
Outdoor planting:
Once the last frost has passed and the soil has warmed, transplant the seedlings into a sunny location with well-draining soil. 

Important Considerations:

Cross-pollination:
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Cherry trees are often not self-fertile and require cross-pollination with another variety for fruit production. 
Time to fruit:
.
Trees grown from seed can take 7-10 years to produce fruit, while grafted trees mature much faster. 
Fruit quality:
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Trees grown from seed may not produce fruit of the same quality as the parent tree, and some varieties might be bitter.