How to Germinate Peach Pits

Peahces used to be a delicacy for emporers in China, dating all the way back to the tenth century B.C. Luckily for everyone else, peaches are less of a delicacy these days and can simply be bought at grocery stores. Continuously buying peaches can eventually add up in the money department. By germinating one peach pit, you can ensure that in a few years you'll never have to buy peaches again.

Things You'll Need

  • Peach pits (as many as you want to try to germinate)
  • Plastic sandwich bags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start by getting the pits out of the peaches. Remove as much of the peach flesh as you can. Run the pit under tap water until it looks as if the pit is thoroughly clean of any flesh.

    • 2

      Allow the pit to dry overnight. If you see fruit flies around the pit(s) the next day, then scrub the pits again. Wash the pit with tap water again and allow it to dry overnight.

    • 3

      Store the dried out peach pit into a plastic sandwich bag. Close the bag almost all the way. Leave a small opening in the top. Store the bag in your refrigerator. You must not have apples or bananas in the refrigerator at the same time as the pit. These two fruits release ethylene, which will damage the peach pits. If you do not own a refrigerator that doesn't have these fruits in it, then store the bag at room temperature. Ensure that the pit is out of the sun.

    • 4

      Allow the pit to stay where you've put it. There should be slight condensation on the inside of the bag. If there isn't, pour a little bit of water into the bag, shake it, and then pour all of the water out. There needs to be only a small amount of condensation in the bag, or else the pit may mold.

    • 5

      Allow the pit to stay in this state until December or January. At that time, soak the pit in tap water for a few hours. Afterwards take some soil, vermiculite, or perlite and slightly moisten it. Pour it into a plastic bag (can be another sandwich bag) and place the seed into the soil (or whatever you used). Store the bag inside your refrigerator, which should be 34 F to 42 F.

    • 6

      Start checking for germination after 1 1/2 months. If the peach is of the type of peach that germinates, it will have started developing a root. At this point, transfer it over to a pot of soil. Allow it to grow as a regular plant.

    • 7

      Wait until Spring and then plant it outside. Ensure that there is no longer any chance of frost before you plant it outside.