Fruitgirl - I think you are right about the climate in that area. I only tried 1 kind of peach from the "Chambersburg" type since they were much more expensive to purchase than the others (even within the same market where I bought them). I don't know exactly what variety it was and the people at the market get more than one variety (depending on when it's ripe) from the Chambersburg area. So, depending on when you go to the market, one week may be one variety from Chambersburg and 2 weeks later they may be selling another variety. They also had other peaches there not from "Chambersburg" and were less expensive. I purchased some the week before I went at another local farmer's market in Ohio. They were nothing outstanding and quite boring actually. So I'm guessing that it's a particular variety that grows extremely well in that climate. How much success I'll have may depend on how different my climate is from the Chambersburg area. Although it's only a few hours away from me, I still think it's worth a try. What's odd too, is that I read online somewhere that there are only 2 peach growers from that area and neither ship their peaches. So either the market where I bought them physically went to that area to get the peaches, or they had them shipped in from a nearby area still claiming to be in the vacinity of Chambersburg. http://www.explorefranklincountypa.com/whats-new/detail.cfm?id=10 http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=5760#SlideFrame_1

why not just buy fruits, then get the seeds from them? You will get good fruit about 90% of the time from random peach pits, and about 1% of the time from pear and apple seeds. Not sure about plums and apricots.

Thanks! I'm a novice at these things: what would make the most sense to send: an SASE, some stamps, or a whatever the cost by Paypal? Really thanks much. They mostly sprout, so 3 or 4 would be plenty? Dave Manley 214 Tourmaline Ave. Livermore, CA 94550

No, it does not take that long for peaches. I've had fruit from four year old trees. They do better than most fruit trees from seed as far as getting decent fruit, too. Are you saying you want to germinate fifteen year old seed? I don't think you'll have any luck if you are. Use this season's crop, and they'll need stratified. No, do not break the kernel open. They can be started right in the ground and overwintered. Just mark where you planted them so you'll know them if and when they break through in spring. You can google directions about anywhere on the web. The two seed-grown peach trees I have (one went over in a storm) are the best tasting peaches (mid-season yellow) I have in my orchard. However, they were genetically different than their parent tree (a white fleshed variety)