peach propagation RE: Peach stones

Liz,
In our mediterranean climates, there isn't enough winter chill to stimulate
the germination of seeds of hardy plants like the peach. So you have to
artificially chill the seeds. You can simply sow them normally in some
sterilized potting mixture, water normally and put the whole mess into
plastic bags and plop it into the refrigerator for at least six weeks, then
bring the pots to normal growing temperatures. However, some species need a
few chill/warm cycles and some may need to be frozen and thawed.

Otherwise, if you open some of the the freshly harvested stones, say with a
vice (squashing it along the seam so as to make to two halves split), and
you find you haven't smashed the kernel inside, you can try planting the
kernel straight away, it may not yet have 'gone dormant' I've got a few tiny
peach trees of such an origin in a rather messy part of the flower bed
behind the house.

Other listers have indicated that the seedlings won't come true. The
seedlings will of course share some characteristics with the parent(s), most
likely won't be quite as good, but in a rare chance could be superior!  But
the greater problem is that it will take some time for such fruit tree
seedlings to blossom and bear.

Grafting or taking cuttings would be much faster. Of course grafting is the
traditional means and allows selection of rootstocks for particular
applications. But certainly, in my experience, almonds, cherries and apples
grow very vigorously 'on their own roots.' I'd guess peaches will, too.
I'd say cuttings are many times easier than grafting.

Prunus (including peaches) cuttings can be taken from immature, semi-mature,
or mature stem material - so you can't really go wrong. January in the
southern hemisphere should be an ideal time for taking semi-mature cuttings.
Find some of this year's growth, break off some 5 cm segments of it, pull
off any leaves near the bottom, dip it into some rooting hormone, put it in
a pot of slightly moist vermiculite, seal the whole thing, leaves and pot
and all, in a big clear plastic bag and put it an area of bright light but
with no or very little direct sunlight; in your half of the world the south
side of a building should work pretty well. Within two months roots should
have formed and the little plants will need to be hardened off, very much
the way you'd treat seedlings.

karl.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
[o*@ucdavis.edu]On Behalf Of Liz Runciman
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 4:23 AM
To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Peach stones


Someone I work with has the most wonderful peaches. I
should say now, it is not a known variety, her parents
are Italian and obtained the tree from a relative and
have no idea what its name is or where it came from.
Now I know that the chances of getting the same peach
from growing the stone is not good, however I have
several from this tree and would like to give it a go.
The question is, what is the best way to get peach
stones to germinate?  Just stick them in a pot, soak
them first or what? Any ideas would be appreciated!

Liz

Liz Runciman
3a The Crescent
Marryatville SA 5068
Australia tel: 61 8 8332 9035
fax 61 8 8331 9041
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