Taking the time to save and plant the stones and pits from the apricots and peaches I ate during the autumn has paid off handsomely. There are dozen of Morepark apricot and Blackboy peach seedlings pushing up through the sandy soil of my 'pit'n'stone' bed now, all looking vigorous and ready to become trees. I've potted a lot of them up, into compost made from kitchen scraps and weeds, and they've taken to that without a check, thanks to the recent rain. The secret to striking most if not all of your peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots is cracking - the stones that is, before you plant them. I think too, it's a good idea to get them in as soon after you've enjoyed the fruit-flesh as you can. Once cracked and buried, it's just a matter of waiting patiently. I was very surprised at how early in the spring they emerged and they are still coming, more and more each day. I've paper almonds in there too, but they've not shown yet. I hope they do, paper-almonds are a fruit I'd like to grow and haven't seen this far south. I've put in pips too. The japonica apples are racing up. At least, I think it's those that are putting on the growth in there. I didn't lable anything, so they might just as easily be the Chinese hawthorn. Either way, it's exciting and whatever they are, they'll take their place in some of the hedgerows I'm 'building' at the moment. The biggest is half-completed and will eventually encircle the Pleasance Park neighbourhood orchard in Castle Street. My planting team and I did two sides of the half-acre park last week, planting wineberry, black currant, manuka and another berry-bearing tree whose name has escaped me. The apricots and peaches will go in there too, some of them, along with crabapples that I've got coming on. It'll be a wonderful display of fruitiness! Hops will bind them and I've grape cuttings in one of my beds that are ear-marked for those hedgerows. Figs too, and native broom, raspberries and cranberies. The birds are going to be overjoyed.
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I had a grapefruit tree I wanted to save, somehow, when the owner of the land it had grown on decided to re-landscape. It was quite old, probably 40 or 50.
It was cut down and I saved five of the fruit before they were taken away.
Much to my disappointment, four of the fruit had no seeds. The fifth had two.
Should I plant them out now?
Yes. Keep them moist and warm, but not soggy. They should sprout quite quickly. Goodness knows though, what they'll produce, fruit-wise, and when they'll produce them. Good experience though, growing your own. The recent un-expected frost has left my lemon looking a little groggy. Should recover though, as the days are now warm and the atmosphere idal for plants - muggy.
I did'nt know that...thanks, it makes sense now since last year we found a seedling in one of grandmas pots.....after investigation below ground we realised it was an apricot. One of the kids then piped up and said it was them that planted it a while ago...probably straight after enjoying the fruit.
Now we just have to find the right spot...possibly down the hill where the occasional frost settles
Planting in a cold spot - that's something else, Hootnz, for a Southern Guy to accomodate. We look for warm spots down this way. I know apricots need a chill, but it's still funny. I'm encouraging schools/classrooms to have a 'pit' bed outside the door so that kids can plant their pips and pits as they finish their fruits and hust see what happens. Free trees are good trees. I guess you can do avocado easily. Here, they're a challenge. I hear that if you crowd the trees together, the fruit earlier and don't get huge.
Ah, well, that's bad. I washed them and dried them off with a paper towel. Then I wrapped them in the paper towel, put them in a zip lock bag and put them in a dark cupboard.
I'll be away for a few days and can't plant them until I get back. I was very fond of the particular tree. Should I get someone to rescue them?
They'll be fine til you get back.
How do you crack the pits Robert? Do you crack them open enough to see the kernels, or just enough to let moisture in?
I hold them between my thumb and forefinger, so that they are on their edge, then I tap tap tap with a hammer til they 'give' - you'll know what I mean when you do it - it's obvious. Sometimes they fall apart but I plant the kernel anyway. I suspect they'll grow fine like that but for some reason I like to include the pit-halves. They are vigorous little guys, once they sprout! I'm seeing them in amongst the hedgerows already.
In fact, I'm off to plant some right now. My 'long-orchard has 4 dug-but-not-planted sites.
Yes got a couple of avocados in at the moment, one on rooting stock specifically for clay soils and the other not....funny enough the one thats doing the best is the one that's not good on clay..go figure!
Also I hadn't heard about planting them close for early fruiting before! thanks :)
As for the warmth it definitely is a change from the chill of Raetihi, in the Ruapehu.....but until all our trees are well established the southerly winds which our sloping property faces, knocks everything back for now.....just got to keep on planting!!
Am amazed at the blossom around this year. The pear trees in Donovan Park are laden like never before. Must get out and get some photos in the sun tomorrow
There's blossom alright. Perhaps the lack of hail events have something to do with that. Apple blossom is due soon. can't wait. Quince is lovely, medlar exceptional.
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