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Fruit & Orchards

Can I sow apple, cherry, and walnut seeds like this?

8 years ago

Hello, I have apple, cherry, and walnut seeds I want to plant and I know they need cold hours. I tried the fridge but it didn't work. I was going to try to use the outdoors, but I'd have to plant them in pots on the porch to keep the animals from getting them. Will the seeds freeze? I also have an unheated garage to use.

Featured Answer

Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta

8 years ago

Sure..outdoor works good, reliable and fool prove, pots is fine, you can put in the garden, cover with wire mesh or what I have is old window/mosquito screen.

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Comments (8)

parker25mv
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You have to soak the seeds for 24 hours first. Afterwards, dip in diluted bleach for a few minutes to prevent later growth of mold. Wrap in moist paper towel, put in sealed plastic bag. Leave in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. Then they are ready to plant.

Some people have used a solution of gibberellic acid (diluted to 200ppm) to help get the seeds to germinate. Let the seeds soak in the solution for 24 hours.

The optimal temperature for giving seeds their chill requirement is about 5 degrees C.
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led_zep_rules
8 years ago
Maybe I'm missing something, but can't you just plant the seeds in the ground now and let Mother Nature handle the cold and stratification? Plant them all in a small area, then transplant the trees that come up.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
'You have to soak the seeds for 24 hours first.' Change the 'have to' to 'could'. Soaking is not a sine qua non. The rest of the procedure is also optional. Sowing into pots and putting outdoors over winter with protection from diggers also works.
tim45z10
8 years ago
When it comes to seeds I have learned not to stick to one propagation plan. Get as many ideas as possible and try them all.
parker25mv
8 years ago
Not everyone here lives in a temperate climate where the seeds will get adequate chill. What you may have thought was just "conventional wisdom" will not necessarily apply in every region of the world.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
OP asks 'will the seeds freeze?' so I assume chilling is not an issue where they are. I was offering a simpler and less didactic approach. Newbies, if told 'you must' or 'you have to,' may be frightened off and not appreciate that there is frequently a variety of ways to approaching a gardening issue. Some might prefer simple methods.
Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
8 years ago
Well yeah, I have done without have to this and that bleach etc. and grown a orchard and forest. It is less problematic doing it outdoor for northerly condition.

Orchard from seeds...

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1503714/orchard-pictures-2012

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