Growing a tree from the pit found inside a nectarine is possible. This process involves mimicking nature’s seasonal cycle to trick the seed into sprouting, a method used for centuries to propagate stone fruit trees. Growing a tree from seed requires specific preparation steps to ensure the seed successfully transitions from dormancy to active growth. The journey from a small seed to a mature tree requires careful planning and maintenance.
Preparing the Seed for Germination (Stratification)
The first step after removing the pit is to clean it thoroughly, eliminating any remaining fruit pulp which can encourage mold growth during stratification. The hard outer shell protects the inner seed, but it also inhibits germination by preventing water from reaching the embryo. To bypass this barrier, carefully crack the shell open, similar to shelling an almond, to retrieve the soft inner seed without causing damage.
The extracted seed requires cold, moist conditioning, known as stratification, to simulate the winter conditions necessary to break dormancy. This process is mandatory for most temperate fruit seeds to trigger the hormonal changes required for germination. The seed should be wrapped in a damp medium, such as a moistened paper towel, peat moss, or sand, and sealed inside a plastic bag or container.
This package must be placed in a refrigerator, where the temperature is consistently cool, typically between 35 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 5 degrees Celsius). The seeds should remain in this cold environment for 90 to 120 days. This extended chilling period prepares the embryo for spring growth, and checking the seeds every few weeks for mold and ensuring the medium remains slightly damp is important.
Sprouting the Pit and Potting the Seedling
Once the cold period is complete, or when small rootlets begin to emerge, the seed is ready for planting. The presence of a rootlet indicates successful stratification. If the seed has sprouted a root, handle it carefully to prevent damage to the delicate new growth.
The sprouted seed should be planted in a small pot, four to six inches in diameter, using a well-draining potting mix. Stone fruits are susceptible to root rot, so proper drainage is necessary. Plant the seed one to two inches deep, ensuring the emerging root is pointed downward into the soil.
The potted seed requires a warm location, such as a sunny windowsill, to encourage the seedling to emerge above the soil line. Consistent moisture is necessary, so the soil should be kept damp but never waterlogged. Within a few weeks of planting, a small green shoot should appear.
Long-Term Tree Care and Maintenance
After the seedling establishes itself, typically after one or two growing seasons, it needs to be transplanted to a larger container or its final location. Nectarine trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, and need well-draining soil. Mature trees can reach 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, but they can be maintained at a manageable size with regular pruning.
Watering is important during the first few years and through dry periods while the tree establishes its root system. Deep watering once or twice a week is often more beneficial than shallow, frequent watering. Nectarines are best pruned using an open-center or vase-shaped system.
This technique involves removing the central leader and encouraging three to five main scaffold branches to grow outward. This allows sunlight to penetrate the canopy and improves air circulation. Annual pruning, performed in late winter or early spring before bud break, involves removing diseased, broken, or crossing branches, along with vigorous upright shoots known as water sprouts. Fertilization with a balanced product in early spring and again in summer helps maintain consistent growth.
The Genetic Outcome: Will it Produce Nectarines?
A tree grown from a nectarine pit will not produce fruit genetically identical to the parent fruit. The seed is the result of sexual reproduction, meaning it is a genetic cross between two parent trees, and its traits are variable. This genetic variability means the resulting fruit may be smaller, have a different flavor profile, or even revert to a peach-like fruit with fuzzy skin.
Fruit production from a seed-grown tree takes longer than from a commercially purchased grafted tree, often requiring five to ten years before the first fruit appears. The tree must reach sexual maturity before it is capable of flowering and setting fruit. For growers seeking a specific, reliable fruit variety, the industry standard is to purchase a grafted tree.
Grafting involves joining a cutting, or scion, from a known, desirable variety onto a hardy rootstock. If the tree grown from the pit develops into a robust, healthy specimen, it can be used as a rootstock. A known nectarine scion can then be grafted onto the seedling, guaranteeing the resulting fruit will be the desired variety and shortening the time until the tree bears fruit.