Growing Pear Trees and Magnolias from Seed: Stratification Tips

Pear and peach seeds need cold stratification; magnolias need patience and sometimes multiple cycles.

Pear & Peach Seeds

• Clean pulp completely (enzymes inhibit germination).
• Peach: crack hard shell to extract kernel (faster).
• Stratify: moist paper towel in bag, fridge 60–90 days (pear), 60–90 days (peach).
• Sow 1 inch deep; 70°F. Germinate 2–4 weeks.
• Peach seedlings: protect from late frost—they're tender.

Why No Volunteers?

• Animals eat fruit and disperse seeds elsewhere.
• Herbicides/fertilizers inhibit germination.
• Seeds need specific conditions nature doesn't always provide.

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)

• Seeds need cold stratification (3 months fridge).
• Often require multiple warm/cold cycles: 3 mo cold → 3 mo warm → repeat.
• Germination erratic; can take 1–2 years.
• Alternative: greenwood cuttings (6 in, late spring), hormone, wet sand, humidity, 8 weeks.

General Fruit Seed Tips

• Cross-pollination improves fruit set on resulting trees.
• Seed-grown fruit trees take 5–7 years to bear.
• For known quality, buy grafted trees.

Stratification breaks dormancy; patience grows the tree.