Growing cherry trees from seeds might sound like a slow and challenging process, but with the right method, you can actually germinate them in as little as 15 days! Whether you love the sweet, juicy cherries or simply want to enjoy their beautiful blossoms in your garden, this guide will walk you through every step — from preparing the seeds to caring for your young cherry plants.
Let’s dive into how you can grow cherry trees quickly, naturally, and successfully at home.
1. Why Grow Cherries from Seeds?
Growing cherry trees from seeds is not only cost-effective but also incredibly rewarding. Instead of buying nursery plants, you can start your own tree from fresh cherries you eat at home. Plus, it gives you a deeper understanding of how plants grow — from seed to harvest.
While growing from seeds takes more time compared to buying a grafted tree, the satisfaction of nurturing your own plant is unmatched. With the right germination technique, you can see the seeds sprouting in just two weeks — much faster than traditional methods that can take months.
2. Choosing the Right Type of Cherry
Before starting, it’s essential to understand that there are two main types of cherry trees:
- Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) – These are the ones you usually find in grocery stores and are great for eating fresh.
- Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) – These have a tangy flavor and are ideal for cooking, baking, or making jams.
If you live in a warmer climate, sweet cherries are a better choice. For cooler regions, sour cherries tend to perform better.
You can grow cherries from seeds collected from store-bought fruits, but it’s best to choose locally grown or organic cherries, as imported ones are often treated to prevent sprouting.
3. Collecting and Preparing Cherry Seeds
Start with fresh, ripe cherries. Avoid overripe or underripe fruits, as they may contain immature seeds.
Steps to prepare the seeds:
- Remove the pits (seeds) from the cherries and wash them thoroughly to remove all fruit flesh. Any leftover pulp can cause mold during germination.
- Once clean, place the seeds in a bowl of water and let them soak for 24 hours. This softens the outer shell and helps speed up germination.
- After soaking, take the seeds out and dry them on a paper towel for a few hours.
Now your seeds are ready for the next important step — stratification.
4. Stratification: Mimicking Winter for Faster Germination
Cherry seeds need a period of cold to break dormancy and start growing. This natural process is called cold stratification. In nature, it happens when seeds fall to the ground in autumn and sprout the following spring. But you can replicate this process at home in your refrigerator.
Here’s how to stratify cherry seeds:
- Wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel (not soaking wet).
- Place the towel in a ziplock plastic bag or airtight container.
- Store the bag in your refrigerator (not freezer) for about 10–14 days.
- Check every few days to make sure the towel stays slightly moist and to monitor sprouting.
After around 10 to 15 days, you should notice small roots emerging from the seeds — a sign that germination has begun!
5. Planting Cherry Seeds After Germination
Once the seeds sprout, it’s time to move them into soil so they can start developing into young seedlings.
Materials you’ll need:
- Small pots or seed trays
- Well-draining potting soil (a mix of garden soil, coco peat, and compost works great)
- A small watering can or spray bottle
Steps for planting:
- Fill the pots with potting soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Gently place each germinated seed about 1 inch deep into the soil.
- Cover it lightly with soil and water gently to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Place the pots in a warm, bright area — ideally near a window with indirect sunlight.
Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist during the early growth stage. Overwatering, however, can cause the seedling roots to rot.
6. Caring for Cherry Seedlings
In the first few weeks, your tiny cherry seedlings need the right care to grow strong and healthy.
Light:
Cherry seedlings need about 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. If you’re growing indoors, you can use a grow light to supplement natural light.
Water:
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Temperature:
Cherry plants prefer temperatures between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) during germination and early growth. Avoid exposing young seedlings to sudden cold drafts or high heat.
Fertilizer:
Once your seedlings develop their second set of true leaves, feed them with a diluted liquid fertilizer (half-strength) every 2–3 weeks. Organic compost tea or a mild balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) works well.
7. Transplanting Cherry Plants
After about 8–10 weeks, your cherry seedlings will be tall enough (around 6–8 inches) to transplant into larger pots or directly into your garden.
Transplanting steps:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Dig a hole twice the size of the seedling’s root ball.
- Carefully remove the seedling from its container, keeping the soil intact around the roots.
- Place it into the hole and backfill with soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting and add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture.
If transplanting outdoors, make sure to harden off your seedlings first by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days.
8. Soil and pH Requirements
Cherries thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0). The soil should be loose, fertile, and well-draining. Adding organic compost before planting helps improve soil texture and nutrient levels.
Avoid heavy clay soils, which can retain too much water and suffocate the roots. If your soil is heavy, plant cherries in raised beds or large containers with a sandy loam mix.
9. Pruning and Shaping Young Cherry Trees
As your cherry plants grow taller, pruning is essential to encourage healthy branching and airflow.
- At around 1 year old, pinch the top of the main stem to promote side shoots.
- Remove any weak or crossing branches to maintain an open shape.
- Always use clean, sharp pruning tools to prevent disease.
Proper pruning will help your cherry tree develop a strong framework and produce better fruit in the long run.
10. Fertilizing and Watering Mature Cherry Plants
Once your cherry tree is established, it needs consistent care to grow well.
- Water deeply once a week, especially during dry months.
- Apply a balanced organic fertilizer twice a year — once in spring and again in midsummer.
- Mulch around the base with straw or leaves to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen-rich products, as this encourages leafy growth rather than fruit production.
11. Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
While cherry trees are relatively hardy, they can be affected by a few common pests and diseases:
- Aphids: These small insects feed on new growth. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Leaf spot: Caused by fungal infections. Remove affected leaves and ensure good air circulation.
- Birds: They love ripe cherries! Use netting to protect your fruits when the tree starts producing.
Regular inspection and early intervention are key to keeping your cherry plants healthy.
12. When to Expect Fruit
Growing cherries from seeds requires patience. Although germination happens quickly, fruiting takes time. On average, cherry trees grown from seed take 4–7 years to bear fruit.
However, the wait is worth it — the trees are hardy, long-lived, and produce delicious cherries season after season.
If you want to speed up fruiting, you can graft your seed-grown cherry sapling onto a mature cherry rootstock once it’s around 1–2 years old.
13. Final Tips for Success
- Always start with fresh, untreated seeds.
- Never skip the cold stratification step — it’s essential for quick germination.
- Maintain consistent moisture but avoid overwatering.
- Be patient — even if your tree takes time to mature, the process is a fun and educational gardening journey.
Conclusion
Growing cherry trees from seeds in just 15 days might sound magical, but with the right preparation and care, it’s absolutely achievable. From carefully cleaning and chilling the seeds to watching those first roots sprout, the process is a fascinating and fulfilling experience for any gardener.
With this simple step-by-step guide, you can start your own cherry tree at home — turning a handful of seeds into a beautiful, fruit-bearing tree that will brighten your garden and reward you for years to come.
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