Starting stone fruit from seed does sound like a great idea, I have two peach trees that I have been given. The seeds just came up on the ground. Sounds easy? I have 9 other stone fruit trees that have never had anything germinate. The downside to stone fruit grown from seed is that you need to get a variety that will be resistant to pests such as nematodes. I tried cuttings at the end of winter for blood plum - they were just starting to show sign of being alive when they were blown over (open position in the garden) will attempt the softwood cutting idea that is shown in the link page - have an Alberta peach tree that needs to be pulled out and I can't find another. I'm going to try putting some more seeds in the garden. Guess if I put them somewhere the plants will be in the way for the next couple of months they'll grow :)
Have got cherry plums if you want any to try - it was the rootstock for an apricot tree.

Here is a link that might be useful: propagating peach trees from softwood cuttings

I am keen to try it for the drought tolerance I think you'd get. I can graft whatever variety I want onto it later. I'm unaware of a nematode problem here. The soil is predominantly heavy clay which doesn't really suit the little beasties.
The mist propoagation looks as if it works well so good luck with that. I've had very poor success with plum and peach cuttings so far. They leaf up then die. I have a single mulberry cutting that is still hanging on but I don't think it will survive. I think I'll try again but take more cuttings in the probably vain hope that increased numbers will increase my chances of success.
I'll try a few different methods with seeds - scarification + stratification and stratification alone. There is very little work involved. It's just a matter of 'wait and see'.

have got 3 mulberry trees up to a metre growing in the vege garden. the weeds got away last year, there was a good storm, waited a little while longer to weed the garden to get something planted - now have mulberry trees in their second season to replant in winter. this year no fruit trees yet but three roses (out of about ten). try, try again. let me know the germination rate.

forgot to add that there is a mulberry tree growing next to the garden. the trees didn't just come up by themselves:)

Hi Ray I grew my peach from seed. I simply allocated a space for it and put the seed (uncracked and unadulterated) in the ground. From memory about 4inches deep. Put a stake next to it so you remember where you sowed it. Sow in May or June and by September you'll see it grow. Don't let the ground dry out, although it doesn't need regular watering. This is the second year for mine and it stands shoulder high. I think you'll have success with peach, nectarine and apricot. Not sure about plums growing true to type, although they will easily germinate. Someone else may be able to shed some light on this. I will try to keep seed from an italian white nectarine (green-yellow skin with cream flesh) at the end of summer. You (and everyone else) will be welcome to these seeds. They are easy to grow, sown direct.

g'day raymondo, we grow our stone fruit trees and they produce very well just on natural rainfall no watering or feeding from us just heaps and heaps of mulching up to around 20"s or so thick right out to jsut beyond the drip line and between the trees along their contour planted rows, best way i know how to make them drought proof same with citrus and apples etc.,. etc.,. not sure if growing from seed will help make a plant any more drought resistant if they grow as a volunteer they can be stronger plant i find this with tomatoes, loose leaf lettuce, mustard and pumpkins. len

Hi Raymondo. I have had quite a bit of success with growing stone fruits from seed. I usually stratify fresh seed in damp sand in the bottom of the fridge over winter. Most stone fruits need significant winter chill to germinate. Keep checking them regularly, I plant them into 3inch tubes when they germinate (leave them there and they will rot) and then into 8inch pots when the roots appear at the bottom. In 9 years I have grown many fruit trees from seed. Apricots and peaches tend to grow 'true to type' or have characteristics very close to the parent plant. Nectarines and plums are more variable - probably best to graft onto the seedling. I wouldnt bother with pears and apples as the many I have grown to maturity have been inedible (crab types). I have cherries grown from seed however no fruit as yet after 7 years. Cheers.

i wish to grow stone fruit seeds and raise fruit trees do i open the stones or does nature do this for me i,m a welfare beneficiary on a meager income and appreciate any advice on this interesting subject bmarco