Growing Fruit Trees from Store-Bought Seeds: Oranges and Cherries

What to Expect from Grocery Store Fruit Seeds

Store-bought fruit comes from hybrid trees. Seedlings rarely resemble the parent; fruit quality usually degrades. It takes 5–7 years to bear. Still, it's a fun project.

Orange Seeds

Plant ½ inch deep, warm, moist. Sprout in 10 days. High light; summer outdoors helps. Acclimate 10 days in shade before full sun.

Cherry Seeds

Require cold stratification: plant 1 inch deep in pot, seal in bag, refrigerate 90 days. Then warm; germination sporadic. Transplant at true leaves, harden off, plant after frost.