# Growing nectarines

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-nectarines/505070>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 2, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-nectarines/505070 "2009-08-02T16:37:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-nectarines/505070/1 "2009-08-02T16:37:22Z")

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How would you go about growing a nectarine tree from a pit? How long would it take this tree to mature and grow fruit?

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-nectarines/505070/2 "2009-08-02T17:09:00Z")

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Growing fruit from seeds is a gamble - because the seed is the result of cross-pollination, the resulting tree may bear fruit that is not of particularly high quality. It could of course, bear spectacular fruit, in which case you could patent a new variety. Anyway, it would probably take 5-7 years before your seedling would be old enough to bear fruit.

From the web:

> [@](#):
>
> Nectarines can be grown from seed but they require a cold period to break the dormancy. The period is about 90 days of temps below 40 degrees. Plant the seed (free of fruit) in a pot about 1 inch deep. Place the pot in a plastic baggie, seal it and put it in the fridge for 90 days. Place back out ina warm area (70degrees F or better) and germination should occur in a few weeks or you can leave the pot outdoors for the winter making sure you keep the soil moist and the seeds will germinate in the spring.

Note that the failure rate is going to be high. If you are gung-ho on this idea, try it with as many seeds as you have room for, and thin later.

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**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-nectarines/505070/3 "2009-08-02T21:54:46Z")

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So just taking a pit from a particularly delicious peach won’t mean you get the same stuff? Dran.