Plums are generally propagated by methods such as cuttings and layering. In fact, mature plum kernels can also germinate to cultivate plum seedlings, and saplings can indeed be grown from them.
Can plum pits be used to grow tree seedlings?
Plum pits can be used to grow saplings, but not all plum pits will germinate. Because plums have a relatively short growth period, only plums that have ripened and fallen from the tree can germinate, and only plum kernels inside the pits must be plump and full to sprout.
How to plant plum pits?
1. Harvesting plums for seed saving
There are many varieties of plums, and their ripening times vary. Regardless of the variety, plums intended for seed saving must be left on the tree to allow the fruit to fully ripen and the kernels to plump up, reaching the point where they naturally fall from the tree. This ensures the growth of healthy plum seedlings. Therefore, when harvesting plums for seed saving, there should be a standard where a ripe plum will fall off the tree upon contact with the hand.
2. Plum pit preparation
After washing the harvested plums for seed saving, gently mash them and extract the juice for consumption. Filter out the plum pits, rinse them with clean water, discard the skin and excess flesh, and drain. Select fine, damp river sand and mix the plum pits with the sand in a 1:5 ratio (one part plum pits to five parts sand). Pile the mixture indoors to safely pass through the long dormancy period. The sand should be damp, not dry. Note that plum pits should not be dried for seed saving, as the germination rate of dry plum pits is very low.
3. Sow and raise seedlings at the appropriate time.
The best time to sow plum seeds is around the Grain Rain solar term. Select a deep-cultivated nursery , prepare beds 1-1.5 meters wide, dig deep furrows, apply sufficient organic fertilizer , then sow the seeds with a thin layer of soil, and cover with a 5-8cm thick layer of soil. The plant spacing should be 5×15cm. Seedlings will emerge in about 20-30 days after sowing, with a germination rate of only 50-80%.
4. Seedling Management
About 30 days after emergence, apply a light urea fertilizer solution along with watering to promote seedling growth, generally every 20 days. After autumn, you can start grafting by selecting buds, or grafting can be done around the time of the Awakening of Insects in the following year. Grafted seedlings will begin to flower and bear fruit 2-3 years after grafting, while seedlings grown from seed without grafting will generally begin to flower and bear fruit 5-6 years after grafting.
