You know that feeling when you're eating cherries and wonder if you could grow a tree from the pit? I did too – four years ago. So I tried it. My first attempt? Total flop. The pit molded in the fridge. But after that disaster, I cracked the code. Today I've got three cherry saplings thriving in my backyard. This guide covers every gritty detail I wish I'd known.
Why Bother Growing Cherry Trees from Pits?
Honestly? Store-bought saplings cost $40-$100. Cherry pits are free. But here's the real talk: it'll take 7-10 years before you get fruit. If you need cherries fast, buy a grafted tree. But if you want the magic of growing something from nothing? Stick with me.
My Mess-Up Moment: I planted six pits from store-bought cherries. Only one survived. Why? Supermarket cherries are often refrigerated for months, reducing pit viability. Lesson learned: use fresh local cherries.
Picking Your Cherry Pit Champions
Not all pits are equal. Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) grow better from pits than sweet cherries. My top picks:
| Cherry Type | Germination Rate | Chill Hours Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montmorency | 60-70% | 700 hours | Cold climates |
| Morello | 50-60% | 800 hours | Pies & preserves |
| Bing (sweet) | 30-40% | 500 hours | Warm zones (7-10) |
Skip grocery store pits if possible. Hit up farmers' markets in July-August when cherries are freshly harvested. Ask vendors: "Are these locally grown?" Unrefrigerated local cherries = pit gold.
The Preparation Ritual
Here's where most folks fail. You can't just shove pits in dirt. They need stratification - a fancy word for "winter simulation." Here's my field-tested method:
- Clean pits thoroughly (scrub off fruit bits with an old toothbrush)
- Soak overnight in lukewarm water (discard floaters)
- Bag them up: Mix damp sphagnum moss with pits in ziplock bags
- Fridge jail: Store at 33-41°F for:
- Sour cherries: 90-120 days
- Sweet cherries: 120-150 days
Watch For: White mold on pits? Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Black mold? Toss immediately. Check bags every 2 weeks.
Planting Day: Getting Your Hands Dirty
When pits crack open with tiny white roots? Party time. Here’s exactly how to plant a cherry pit in real life:
Soil Setup
Cherries hate "wet feet." I learned this after drowning my first batch. Perfect soil mix:
- 50% potting soil (I use Miracle-Gro)
- 30% coarse sand
- 20% perlite
pH matters: Test soil with a $7 kit from Walmart. Cherries need 6.0-7.0 pH. Too acidic? Add powdered lime.
The Planting Process
- Fill 6" pots with soil mix (leave 1" from top)
- Plant pits 1 inch deep (root down if visible)
- Water until damp like a wrung-out sponge
- Cover pots with plastic wrap for greenhouse effect
Place pots near a window but not in direct sun. South-facing is best. Expect sprouts in 2-8 weeks.
Truth time: Only 40-60% of stratified pits sprout. That's why I plant 10 pits for every tree I want. Nature's cruel that way.
Baby Tree Care: The First 2 Years
Seedlings are like newborns - fragile. Here's your caretaking cheat sheet:
| Age | Watering | Sunlight | Fertilizer | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Keep soil moist | Bright indirect light | None | 60-75°F |
| 6-12 months | Water when top 1" dry | 4 hours direct sun | Half-strength liquid fertilizer monthly | Can handle 50°F nights |
| Year 2 | Deep water weekly | 6+ hours full sun | Balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer quarterly | Frost-hardy |
Transplanting Tip: Move seedlings outdoors after last frost. Acclimate slowly - 1 hour outside the first day, adding an hour daily for a week.
Pests and Problems
My cherry seedlings got demolished by aphids year one. Now I do this monthly:
- Spray leaves with neem oil solution (2 tbsp/gallon water)
- Circle stems with diatomaceous earth to stop ants
- Yellow sticky traps for flying pests
See brown spots on leaves? Probably cherry leaf spot. Remove infected leaves immediately.
Moving Outside: Permanent Spot Selection
At 2-3 feet tall, your sapling needs a forever home. Critical factors:
- Space: Trees need 15-20 ft clearance (roots spread wider than branches)
- Sun: Minimum 6 hours direct sun daily
- Drainage: Dig 12" hole, fill with water. If not gone in 2 hours? Bad spot.
Dig planting hole twice as wide as root ball. Mix native soil with compost. Plant at same depth as in pot. Stake loosely for first year.
Secret Boost: Throw a handful of mycorrhizal fungi (like Myco Bliss) into planting hole. Roots absorb nutrients 10x better. Saw growth spurt within weeks.
The Long Wait: When Will You Get Cherries?
Brace yourself. Timeline for homegrown cherry trees:
| Year | Growth Milestone | Care Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5-6 ft tall | Prune central leader annually in winter |
| 5 | First flowers (may not fruit) | Apply dormant oil spray |
| 7-10 | Full fruit production | Net trees to protect from birds |
Yes, 7+ years. That's why most people quit. But biting into your first homegrown cherry? Pure magic.
Fruit Expectations vs Reality
Here's the unspoken truth: cherries from pits won't taste identical to parent fruit. Why? Commercial cherries are grafted clones. Pits produce genetic hybrids.
My Montmorency pit tree yielded fruit sweeter than parent. Friend got super tart cherries from Bing pits. It's a delicious gamble.
FAQ: Your Cherry Pit Questions Answered
Can I plant pits directly outdoors?
Technically yes if winters freeze hard. But squirrels ate 80% of my direct-sown pits. Indoor start = better survival.
Why no fruit after 5 years?
Most common reason: lack of chill hours. Sweet cherries need 500+ hours below 45°F. Move potted trees to garage in winter if in warm zones.
Can I grow cherries in pots?
Yes but challenging. Use 15+ gallon containers. Dwarf varieties better. Expect 30% less fruit than ground-planted trees.
Do I need two trees?
Sour cherries self-pollinate. Sweet cherries usually need a partner tree within 50 ft. Exceptions: Stella, Lapins.
Final Thoughts: Worth the Effort?
If you want quick results? No. But as someone who's done it, watching that first sprout emerge after months of waiting? Unbeatable. Just manage expectations.
My biggest tip: Plant 10-15 pits yearly starting now. Losses happen. With this guide, you'll avoid my mistakes. One day you'll bite into a cherry grown from your pit. That's when you'll know.
Comment