Guide on Nurturing a Plum Pit into a Bountiful Plum Tree Yielding Tasty Fruits
In the world of horticulture, growing a plum tree that is true to its original parent can be a challenge. Plums, like many fruit trees, do not grow true from seed, making the fruit from seed-grown plum trees genetically variable and often unpredictable.
The reason for this genetic variability lies in cross-pollination, which is common among plum trees. This mixing of genetic material between different plum varieties or even related species results in seeds carrying this mixed genetic material, making the trees grown from seeds genetically unique and not clones of the parent tree.
If you're set on growing a plum tree from seed, the process involves obtaining seeds (pits) from a plum, ideally wild plum types for better germination. The seeds are then cold-stratified, stored in a moist medium like peat moss or vermiculite in the refrigerator for several weeks to simulate winter conditions. Once sprouted, the seed is planted about 2 inches deep in well-draining soil with vermiculite and potting soil mix.
After transplanting outdoors once the frost danger has passed, patience is key. It may take several years for the tree to fruit, and the fruit can vary widely in quality and flavor.
For those who want a plum tree that produces fruit identical to the original, grafting or budding onto rootstocks is the preferred method. This clones the original tree exactly, ensuring reliable fruit quality and tree characteristics. Home gardeners and nurseries commonly propagate plum cultivars using this method.
In summary, while it is possible to grow a plum tree from a pit, the resulting tree will not be identical to the parent tree. Growing from seed is better suited as an experimental, long-term project or for wild plum varieties where genetic diversity is acceptable. For those seeking a true-to-type plum tree, grafting techniques are the way to go.
Amy Grant, a professional chef and gardener with 30 years of experience, is an expert in culinary gardening. For those interested in learning more about gardening, there are platforms offering gardening tips, videos, information, and a newsletter, and even a free e-book "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes" upon sign-up for the newsletter.
[1] Grant, A. (2021). Culinary Gardening: A Guide to Growing Your Own Fruit and Vegetables. Milford, NH: TAB Books. [5] University of California Cooperative Extension. (2021). Plum and Apricot Culture. Accessed March 28, 2023, from https://ucanr.edu/sites/sfgarden/files/310475.pdf
If you're interested in experimenting with different plum varieties, growing a plum tree from seed could be an intriguing long-term project. However, as Amy Grant, a professional chef and gardener with 30 years of experience, suggests, the fruit from seed-grown plum trees may vary widely, making home-and-garden projects focused on 'lifestyle' and 'gardening' more unpredictable compared to grafted trees.
