Do Cherries Grow True To Seed? A Comprehensive Guide
The simple answer is no, cherry trees generally do not grow true to seed. The resulting tree is likely to be different from the parent tree, potentially bearing different fruit or displaying varied characteristics.
Understanding Cherry Tree Genetics and Propagation
The question of growing cherries “true to seed” delves into the fascinating world of plant genetics and propagation. Cherries, like many fruit trees, are often hybrids. This means they’re the result of cross-pollination between two different parent trees. The seed inside the cherry carries genetic material from both parents.
Think of it this way: you are a combination of your mother and father’s DNA. Planting your child’s seed wouldn’t necessarily result in someone identical to you. The same holds true for cherries.
Why Cherries Don’t Replicate Perfectly
- Hybridization: Most commercial cherry varieties are hybrids, bred for specific traits like size, flavor, disease resistance, and yield. Seeds from these hybrids contain a mix of genetic information.
- Heterozygosity: Cherry trees, like most sexually reproducing organisms, are heterozygous for many traits. This means they have different alleles (versions of genes) for those traits. When the seed germinates, there’s a random shuffling of these alleles, leading to offspring that differ from the parent.
- Pollination: Cherries are almost always cross-pollinated. Bees and other insects carry pollen from one cherry tree to another. Therefore, the seed inherits traits from two different trees.
The Role of Rootstock in Commercial Cherry Production
Commercially grown cherry trees are almost always grafted onto a rootstock. This is a separate root system that provides benefits like:
- Dwarfing: Controls the size of the tree, making it easier to manage and harvest.
- Disease Resistance: Offers resistance to soil-borne diseases.
- Adaptability: Allows the cherry tree to thrive in different soil conditions.
- Early Fruiting: Can encourage the tree to bear fruit sooner.
The rootstock has no bearing on the fruit produced, which is determined by the scion (the cherry variety grafted onto the rootstock). However, it significantly impacts the tree’s overall health, size, and productivity.
What to Expect When Growing Cherry Trees From Seed
If you plant a cherry pit, you’ll almost certainly get a cherry tree, but its characteristics are largely unpredictable. You might get:
- Wild-Type Characteristics: The seedling may revert to traits of wild cherry trees, such as small fruit, poor flavor, or disease susceptibility.
- Delayed Fruiting: Seedlings typically take longer to mature and bear fruit than grafted trees, often 5-10 years or even longer.
- Variable Fruit Quality: The fruit may be completely different from the cherry you took the seed from. It might be smaller, sourer, or of a different color.
- Unique Traits: In rare cases, you might get a tree with desirable and improved traits. This is the basis of new variety development through selective breeding.
Growing Cherry Seedlings for Rootstock
While you might not get the same fruit, growing cherry seedlings from seed can be useful for producing rootstock. Certain cherry species, such as Mazzard and Mahaleb, are commonly used as rootstock.
The process involves:
- Seed Stratification: Cherry seeds require a period of cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. This typically involves storing the seeds in damp sand or peat moss in the refrigerator for several months.
- Planting: After stratification, plant the seeds in well-draining soil.
- Care: Provide adequate water, sunlight, and nutrients to the seedlings.
- Grafting: Once the seedlings are large enough, they can be grafted with the desired cherry variety.
Alternatives to Growing From Seed
If you want to grow a specific cherry variety, the best option is to purchase a grafted tree from a reputable nursery. This ensures that you’ll get a tree with the desired fruit and characteristics.
Other propagation methods include:
- Grafting: The most common method for propagating cherry trees.
- Budding: A type of grafting where a single bud is used instead of a branch.
- Cuttings: More difficult to root, but some cherry varieties can be propagated from cuttings.
Benefits of Grafted Cherry Trees
Grafted cherry trees offer several advantages over seedlings:
- True-to-Type: They produce fruit identical to the parent tree.
- Faster Fruiting: They typically bear fruit much sooner than seedlings.
- Known Characteristics: Their size, disease resistance, and other traits are predictable.
- Rootstock Benefits: They benefit from the specific characteristics of the rootstock.
Common Mistakes When Growing Cherry Trees From Seed
- Expecting True-to-Type Fruit: This is the biggest misconception. Don’t expect the seedling to produce the same fruit as the parent cherry.
- Improper Stratification: Failing to properly stratify the seeds will result in poor germination.
- Neglecting Seedling Care: Cherry seedlings require regular watering, fertilization, and protection from pests and diseases.
- Impatience: Seedlings can take a long time to mature and bear fruit.
Key Takeaways
Growing cherry trees from seed can be an interesting experiment, but it’s not a reliable way to obtain a specific variety. If you want to enjoy a particular type of cherry, grafting is the way to go. Seedlings are best suited for rootstock production or for those who enjoy the element of surprise.
The Future of Cherry Breeding
While growing from seed isn’t reliable for consistent results, it remains a crucial part of cherry breeding programs. Breeders deliberately cross different varieties to create new hybrids with desirable traits. The resulting seedlings are carefully evaluated, and only the best are selected for further propagation and potential release as new commercial varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H4: Will a cherry tree grown from seed produce edible fruit?
Yes, most cherry trees grown from seed will produce edible fruit, although the quality and flavor may vary greatly from the parent cherry. The fruit could be smaller, sourer, or have a different texture.
H4: How long does it take for a cherry tree grown from seed to produce fruit?
Cherry trees grown from seed typically take much longer to bear fruit than grafted trees. You can expect to wait 5-10 years, or even longer, before you see your first harvest.
H4: What are the best cherry varieties to grow from seed if I want a chance of good fruit?
While no cherry variety guarantees true-to-type offspring, some heirloom varieties or cherry species closer to their wild origins may show more consistent traits. However, the results are still unpredictable.
H4: Do I need to stratify cherry seeds before planting?
Yes, absolutely. Cherry seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy. This involves storing the seeds in a cool, moist environment (like a refrigerator) for several months (typically 90-120 days).
H4: Can I graft a cherry tree seedling myself?
Yes, with practice and proper technique, you can graft a cherry tree seedling. Grafting involves joining the seedling (rootstock) with a scion (a cutting from the desired cherry variety). There are many resources available online to learn grafting techniques.
H4: What type of soil is best for growing cherry tree seedlings?
Cherry tree seedlings prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic pH (around 6.0-7.0) is ideal.
H4: How much sunlight do cherry tree seedlings need?
Cherry tree seedlings need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive.
H4: How often should I water cherry tree seedlings?
Water cherry tree seedlings regularly, especially during dry periods. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
H4: What are the common pests and diseases that affect cherry tree seedlings?
Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and borers. Diseases can include leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatments are necessary.
H4: Is it legal to grow cherry trees from seed from store-bought cherries?
Yes, generally it is legal to grow cherry trees from seed from store-bought cherries. However, keep in mind that the resulting tree will likely not be the same as the parent cherry.
H4: Can I grow a cherry tree from seed indoors?
While possible, growing a cherry tree entirely indoors is difficult. They require a period of dormancy (cold exposure) and need ample sunlight. It’s generally better to start them indoors and then transplant them outside once they’re established.
H4: Are there any cherry species that are more likely to grow true to seed than others?
Certain wild cherry species might show slightly more consistency than heavily hybridized commercial varieties, but no species can guarantee true-to-type offspring when grown from seed. Genetic variation is inherent in sexual reproduction.