Question
QUESTION: saved seeds from last years peach crop.How do I get the dried seeds to sprout?Prefer to start indoors.hk

ANSWER: Hi Dennis,
Thanx for your question.  This question has been answered a lot.  It seems there are a lot of people out there interested in growing fruit trees from seed!  For your future reference, the Search Function on All Experts could save you some time in finding an answer to your question that has already been posted.  With that said, here we go.  Most peaches are the result of hybrids.  There are some open pollinated varieties but usually you're eating a hybrid peach.  The seed from the fruit of a hybrid peach will not produce exact copies of the parent plants.  Fruit and tree will most likely be inferior to the parent plants due to extensive mutations and hybridization.  That doesn't mean the fruit and tree won't be acceptable and of course it is fun.  It will take 5-7 years from seed for the tree to bear fruit.  Take the seed and plant it one inch deep in a pot of regular potting soil.  Keep the soil moist but not soggy.  Seal the pot inside a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator for 60-90 days.  The seeds require a cold period to break dormancy and sprout.  You can also leave the pot outdoors during the winter (keeping the soil moist) if your temperatures fall consistently below 40F for 60-90 days.  After the cold period, bring the pot into a warm area (70-75F) and the seed should sprout in a couple of weeks.  Keep the seedling under a 40-watt shop light extended about 8 inches above until the seedling is strong and growing well and all danger of frost has passed.  Place the pot outdoors in a shaded area for 10 days and then you can plant the seedling in full sun.  I hope this helps.
Tom



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QUESTION: will seeds sprout sooner if hard outer shell is removed?

Answer
Hi Dennis,
Thanx for your question.  The seed will probably germinate sooner if you remove the hard shell.  Be careful not to injure the seed which will resemble an almond (peaches and almonds are in the same family).  Crack the hard shell with pliers or a vice grip.  I hope this helps.
Tom