Growing a Peach Tree from a Seed at Home: Step-by-Step Instructions

Beginning gardeners and garden enthusiasts are often afraid to grow peaches from seeds. These crops grow well in southern Russia, but they can also be found in northern regions. The easiest way is to purchase a mature seedling; it will take root and begin bearing fruit faster. To grow a peach tree from a seed, you'll need: seed, the optimal planting method, and the desire to grow the tree.

Pros and cons of the propagation method

The seed must be germinated directly in the soil. It can be taken from a tree growing in the climate zone of the region where it will be grown. Don't take the seed from a store-bought fruit, as such seed will be unsuitable for planting.

According to statistics, only ¼ of planted seeds will sprout and continue to grow. It's best to plant several seeds at once to ensure germination.

Peach is an exotic plant., which often grow in regions with warm climates and plenty of sunshine. However, there are also varieties bred in northern regions that can bear fruit even in low temperatures. If you can't buy ready-made seedlings, you can try growing your own from seed.

Main advantages:

• low price of planting material;
• you can grow the peach variety you choose;
• The plant adapts well to the climatic conditions of the region where it is grown at home.

Main disadvantages:

• parental traits may not be passed on to the seedling;
• it will take a long time before fruiting occurs;
• young plants often die when transplanted;
• additional care is required.

Gardeners recommend choosing varieties adapted to the growing region. Growing a peach from a seed indoors is possible, but it takes some effort. It requires maintaining a certain temperature, humidity, and other parameters, and constant care.

How to germinate a peach pit

Preference should be given to peaches purchased from gardeners. Peaches purchased at the market or store often do not reach biological maturity and will not germinate. The best varieties for sowing in central Russia are Shlikhta Seedling and Kyiv Ranniy.

If a tree is unable to pollinate itself, several varieties must be planted. Early-ripening varieties that produce fruit as early as early August should be selected. However, the most important consideration when growing a tree is the cultivation method. The pit should be extracted from a soft, ripe, and sweet fruit. The fruit should be free of rot, insect infestation, and various blemishes.

The pit needs to be washed and all the pulp removed, as shown in the photo. Then the seed is laid out to dry. This is the preparatory stage for planting the peach. Gardeners distinguish three growing methods.

Cold method

This method is considered the closest to natural growth. It uses stratification to germinate peaches. The planting material must be kept in humid and cool conditions, simulating the winter period. To use it, place the plant in the lower compartment of the refrigerator.

Recommendations for sprouting from seed at home:

1. The seeds should be immersed in perlite or damp sand. Purified peat can also be used.
2. Flower pots are used as containers for planting.
3. The seed must be planted 5 cm deep.
4. The pot should have drainage holes. This will prevent waterlogging and fungal growth. Without holes, the plant may rot.

The pot needs to be insulated, especially if it is planned autumn plantingTo do this, place a plastic bag over the seed. Poke a few holes in it to allow oxygen to enter. With this growing method, the seed will germinate for several months. Keep an eye on the sand's moisture level. When the first sprouts appear, remove the plant from the cold room and transplant it into fertile soil. Don't immediately bring the pot into a warm room. The temperature should be maintained at 10°C. ^OC, there should be sufficient sunlight. After 5-7 days, the plant can be brought indoors.

Regular watering is required, depending on the soil's dryness. This method is effective, with a high germination rate of up to 70%. Even inexperienced gardeners can plant peach trees this way.

Warm growing method

This method requires preparing the seed. It undergoes accelerated stratification in a cold room, but on the top shelf of the refrigerator. This process can take up to several days. Then, the hard shell of the seed needs to be slightly broken and a small incision made. The scarified seed is then placed in a solution containing a stimulating substance:

• Epin;
• Kornevin;
• Heteroauscin.

The prepared seed should be planted in light soil to a depth of about 5 cm. To create a greenhouse effect, place a plastic bag with a few holes for ventilation over the pot.

Once the shoots appear, the plastic can be removed. The lengthy germination period is due to the peach tree developing its root system first, followed by the formation of the tree itself.

Fast growing method

If you need to germinate a seed as quickly as possible, you can use the following method. Carefully remove the seed from the shell, wash it, and dry it. You can place it in warm water or on a damp cloth. The seeds should be exposed to air to prevent mold.

The cloth is regularly moistened, and the water is changed regularly. When the first sprouts appear, the seed can be transplanted into a pot. The container should be kept in a warm room. It's important to remember that at any stage of growth, you should constantly monitor the plantings for drying out or overwatering. The soil should always be moist.

Plant care: step-by-step instructions

To grow a strong and healthy plant, you need to put in the necessary effort and follow a few recommendations. For planting a peach tree, choose loose, light, and reasonably fertile soil. This soil can consist of several components:

• garden soil;
• peat;
• humus;
• sand (agroperlite).

Temperature is also important. It should be as close to room temperature as possible. The plant dislikes drafts and sudden temperature changes.

When there is a lack of light, especially in the autumn-winter period It is necessary to create additional lighting with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.

Water moderately and regularly. Water with warm, settled water. Reduce watering during the dormant period. Resume regular watering when the first buds appear. In spring, the plant requires adequate nutrients. Peaches need mineral and organic fertilizers. Fertilize once every 14 days. In the fall, stop fertilizing and use only nutritious compost.

Depending on its growth, the plant may need to be repotted into a larger pot. This should be done in early spring or fall. As the shoots begin to grow, it's time to begin shaping the crown. Prune when the trunk reaches a height of over 70 cm. Fruiting occurs primarily on the side shoots, so avoid allowing the seedlings to grow upward.

Every year, it's necessary to pinch back the shoots growing toward the tree's sides. The tree's crown should be bowl-shaped. In the first year, only the top of the tree should be pruned. In the second year, only the side shoots are pruned.

Insect pests (mites, aphids, weevils) or various diseases can often appear on trees in the spring or fall. Fungicides should be used for protection and treatment:

• Fufanon;
• Fitoverm.

These preparations should be dissolved in water and applied to the plants. Up to three sprayings are carried out per season. If diseases (powdery mildew, cytosporosis, leaf curl) appear, chemical treatments aimed at eliminating the disease should be used.

As a preventative measure, you can use fertilizer and clear the root zone of leaves and weeds. In the spring, whitewash the plant stem to prevent it from cracking in the hot sun. If planting and care guidelines are followed, the tree will grow strong.

Transplanting a tree into open ground

In central Russia, a full-grown plant can be grown in a winter garden or greenhouse. Maintaining the appropriate temperature in an apartment (depending on the season) is impossible. However, under ideal conditions, the plant can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. Transplanting a young tree into open ground should be planned for spring (March-April) or fall (September). When planting multiple trees, maintain a distance of approximately 4 meters.

To properly plant a peach sapling, dig a hole about 1.5 meters deep for the young tree. Then, add organic fertilizer and till the soil. The tree should be planted level, without tilting. Carefully pour soil over the roots, then level and compact it. Water the area around the trunk thoroughly. Once the water has drained and the soil has dried slightly, mulch with compost.

A young plant requires additional care until the adaptation period is over:

1. In winter, the young tree needs to be wrapped in a bag or covering material.
2. Insulate the trunk with glass wool.
3. The roots of the plant also need to be insulated.
4. The tree trunk circle is covered with spruce branches or fallen leaves.

The peach tree is a complex tree. Pruning and regular fertilizing are key factors in determining yield. The center of the tree should be kept open to encourage fruit formation on the side shoots. The harvest ripens in late summer. The fruit doesn't keep well and should be preserved as soon as possible. Peaches make delicious jams and compotes. They can also be dried and used as dessert.

Graft

If the peach variety grown from a seed is small and sour, it is often used as a rootstock. A cultivated plant can be grafted onto it by grafting. Once the peach variety grown from the seed is known, it can be used as a graft for a varietal scion.

Grafting can be done using several methods. A clean, disinfected instrument must be used for the procedure. It must be very sharp. The gardener should avoid touching the cut parts during the procedure.

Methods of grafting:

1. In a cleft. This is the most common method among gardeners.
   It's best used in the spring. The scion (the part of the plant being grafted) and the rootstock (the plant onto which the graft is being made) should be the same diameter. The scion should contain at least three growth buds. If domesticated peach is used as a rootstock, the cuttings should be made in the fall. They should be buried in snow for the winter. When the rootstock reaches a height of 30 cm, prune it. Make a cut of approximately 5 mm along the cut surface. The base of the scion should be trimmed, creating a V-shaped wedge. To speed up the process, soak the base in a biostimulant. The wedge should be inserted into the split made in the rootstock and secured with electrical tape. If the tape is not tightly wrapped, the moisture will evaporate and the plant will die. If a bark burr forms, remove the electrical tape.
2. Budding.
   This is a complex method. It requires some experience. It's essentially the same as grafting, but only a growing bud should be used as the scion. It can be performed at any time of year. Cut the bud sharply with a blade. Avoid touching it to prevent infection. Make an X-shaped cut in the rootstock bark. Bend the bark back to create a pocket. Insert the cut bud into it and secure it tightly. When a swelling forms, remove the fixing material. The results will be available in a month.

Growing a tree from seed is not difficult. However, it does require a certain amount of time and a little patience. With proper care, the first fragrant and juicy fruits appear in 3-4 years, and the harvest usually continues for 10 years.