Question
Hi,  I read you answer to a question from Mike on how to get pear trees to grow from pear seeds.  Sounds good, but if that works, why don't I have any seedlings pop up from the pear trees I have (2 kinds of pear trees)?  I never get pear or peach seedlings and I do not know why.  Will growing the pears from the seeds the way you suggest (put in a pot and keep moist or put in refrigerator) make pears or just grow a tree?  I am an old lady and have enjoyed growing all my herbs, veggies, flowers and fruit trees, but have never had success in growing fruit trees from seeds.  Can you also tell me how to propagate the old fashioned white magnolia?  I have tried with the seeds and had no success.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Ginger,
Thanx for your question.  I don't know why your pear and peach trees have failed to produce seedlings.  Perhaps animals are dragging away the fruit and the seeds are being deposited somewhere else.  The other reason could be fertilizers and insecticides interfering with seed germination.  In general, when seeds are helped along by humans, the seed will produce trees that will eventually produce fruit.  Some fruit trees produce better when they are cross pollinated with other varieties like themselves.  In general, a fruit tree grown from seed takes 5-7 years to produce fruit.  Also with peaches, if you remove the outer, hard shell, the inner pit is the actual seed and will germinate faster without the hard covering.  Peach seedlings are also very susceptible to late spring cold snaps so be careful to keep the seedlings in a safe place until after the last frost.  IN regard to the old-fashioned white magnolia?  Are you talking about the large tree that grows in the South, Magnolia grandiflora with the huge white blooms?  The seeds germinate erratically and they do require a cold period.  I've stratified them (using the refrigerator method) for 3 months and then returned them to a warm environment.  Sometimes, it takes several cold to warm periods before the dormancy is broken.  Try 3 months in the fridge and then three months in the warmth.  If they haven't germinated give them another three months in the fridge and then three months in the warmth.  Otherwise, you'll have to use cuttings of green wood taken in the late spring, about 6 inches long, all foliage but last two leaves removed, dip in rooting hormone and stick 1 inch deep in warm wet sand.  Keep this planting zone, sealed inside clear plastic but out of the sun, under lights, indoors.  Rooting should begin within 8 weeks.  When you see new leaf growth, you'll know roots have formed and you can check to see if there is significant enough growth to tranpslant to separate pots.  Another thing about growing fruit from seeds, the seed should have all of the pulp or flesh removed.  Some fruit have enzymes in the flesh that inhibit seed germination.  Apples and pears are pretty easy to start from seed if you use the refrigerator method.  I hope this helps.
Tom