Growing Pear Trees from Seed: Preserving an Heirloom Tree

Pear seeds require cold stratification. Collect seeds from ripe fruit, clean them, and sow in pots with potting mix. Place pots outdoors for winter (or in refrigerator for 3 months). Seedlings emerge in spring.

Steps

1. Extract and clean seeds from ripe pears.
2. Sow in pots; cover with soil.
3. Stratify: outdoors all winter, or in fridge 3 months in moist peat in a baggie.
4. After stratification, move to warmth; seedlings appear in spring.
5. Transplant seedlings to individual pots when they have true leaves.
6. Harden off and plant in the garden.

Seedling pears will not be identical to the parent; for exact replication, grafting is needed.