How to Plant Cherry Seeds

Cherries are delicious and nutritious fruits that can be enjoyed fresh, cooked or canned. But have you ever thought of planting cherry seeds? It's a fun and rewarding process that can yield beautiful cherry trees in your garden or orchard. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of planting cherry seeds.

Step 1: Choose Your Cherries

The first step to planting cherry seeds is to choose your cherries. Select ripe, sweet cherries with intact pits. Avoid using cherries with cracks, blemishes or signs of mold. You can use any type of cherry, including sweet, sour or wild cherries.

Step 2: Extract the Seeds

Next, you need to extract the seeds from the cherries. This can be done by gently crushing the cherries with a mortar and pestle or by using your hands to squish them. Be careful not to damage the seeds as you extract them. Rinse the seeds with water to remove any cherry pulp or juice.

Step 3: Stratify the Seeds

Cherry seeds require a period of stratification to germinate. Stratification is the process of exposing the seeds to cold temperatures to simulate natural winter conditions. To stratify cherry seeds, place them in a damp paper towel and seal them in a plastic bag. Keep the bag in the refrigerator for about 10 to 12 weeks.

Step 4: Plant the Seeds

After the seeds have been stratified, it's time to plant them. Fill a pot with moist potting soil and make a small hole in the center. Place the cherry seed in the hole and cover it with soil, leaving about a quarter inch of soil on top. Water the pot to moisten the soil.

Step 5: Care for Your Seedling

Once your cherry seedling has sprouted, it needs proper care to ensure healthy growth. Place the pot in a sunny spot and water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. When the seedling grows to about 6 inches tall, you can transplant it to a larger container or to the ground.

In conclusion, planting cherry seeds is a fun and easy way to grow your own cherry trees. Remember to choose ripe, sweet cherries, extract the seeds carefully, stratify them and plant them in moist soil. With proper care, you can enjoy the beauty and taste of your very own cherry trees.