# Sprouting fruit seeds **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2005, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529 "2005-01-31T03:55:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/21 "2005-01-31T19:30:02Z")
> [@rjk](#): > > All apples of a particular kind are really from the same tree, just propagated by taking cuttings and rooting them directly or grafting onto another rootstock. Since they generally don’t self-fertilize, to get fruit you need to have two or more kinds flowering about the same time. Michael Pollan does a whole section on apples (and American folk hero Johnny Appleseed) in [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375760393/qid=1107200315/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4183601-3256114?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) book, which I recommend to those of you who haven’t read it already. > [@](#): > > A lot of spices besides poppy seeds will sprout, unless they’ve been treated to kill pests. Black pepper is particularly nice. Cool! This one I’ll try. Cloves are flower buds, not seeds, right? ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/22 "2005-01-31T19:43:16Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Cool! This one I’ll try. Cloves are flower buds, not seeds, right? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/23 "2005-02-01T01:19:47Z")
Years ago I had a pair of seed-grown grapefruit trees. I wired one in the bonsai method and it bloomed just shy of a year, the other never did. I had wanted to shape the tree in a particular way, never realizing this would speed up the flowering process[or was this a case of _post hoc, ergo propter hoc_] That quite small tree produced maybe a dozen flowers before it succumbed to a scale. Each tiny flower was enough to perfume an entire room, it got to be so bad that at times I had to place it in another room because the scent was just too strong. You may want to give it a shot, it just takes a few minutes and some copper wire ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/24 "2005-02-01T02:20:51Z")
Dates are possible to grow. I had a handful of pits that I’d saved for close to six months before and planted them in pots around June of last year (I’d forgotten I had them). It took MONTHS, literally. I think they finally sprouted roots in August. They got as far as a leaf before cold weather set in and I didn’t get them in from the deck quite in time… ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/25 "2005-02-01T02:31:36Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Dates are possible to grow. I had a handful of pits that I’d saved for close to six months before and planted them in pots around June of last year (I’d forgotten I had them). It took MONTHS, literally. I think they finally sprouted roots in August. They got as far as a leaf before cold weather set in and I didn’t get them in from the deck quite in time… Just out of curriosity, where does one get date seeds? I don’t imagine there are too many date palms in Pennsylvania. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/26 "2005-02-01T02:44:34Z")
> [@Bewildebeest](#): > > Just out of curriosity, where does one get date seeds? I don’t imagine there are too many date palms in Pennsylvania. Buy some bulk dates at the market, either at a conventional supermarket, or at a health food store[both places will have them in their produce department] each date should contain one pit. The pit can be removed very easily, as the fruit has usually shrunken enough to separate itself from the pit. Don’t throw the date itself away. Stuff the cavity with chopped walnuts or peanut butter, or both. Dee-lish! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/27 "2005-02-01T02:52:20Z")
> [@Bewildebeest](#): > > Just out of curriosity, where does one get date seeds? I don’t imagine there are too many date palms in Pennsylvania. From a store? Seriously, there are quite a few stores (usually organic or ethnic groceries) that sell packags of whole dates, including the pit. I, personally, got them from a friend at whose house I spent a weekend (the dates were set out as finger food), who I’m sure (knowing where he usually shops) got them from an organic market. And **quiltguy154** is right. Uncandied whole dates are incredibly good! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/28 "2005-02-01T04:14:42Z")
Is it possible to sprout an olive pit? Or does the brining process destroy the seed? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/29 "2005-02-01T04:29:37Z")
**WhyNot** , check out [this post](http://www.bonsaiweb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6962&highlight=olive+seeds) at the bonsaiweb message board. Apparently, if you get fresh olives, it has about a 30% chance of germinating, but brined or preserved olives are no-go. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/30 "2005-02-01T05:00:05Z")
I’m going to try it with the dates. There’s a food coop “natural grocery” here in Topeka now, that sells the most delicious dates I ever tasted. Soft, naturally sweet, and huge. I have several pots, and can get some soil, so I’m going to try a number of the seeds I’ve seen here. I have some good south facing windows, for plenty of sun if I get sprouts, and for now I can keep the pots warm by placing them in the vicinity of one of my radiators. (I have gas heat, and the old fashioned radiators) I’ll mark this thread and if, in a few months, I get anything sprouted, I’ll let you all know! And I’ll still take any advice! ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/31 "2005-02-01T13:02:06Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > From a store? Seriously, there are quite a few stores (usually organic or ethnic groceries) that sell packags of whole dates, including the pit. I, personally, got them from a friend at whose house I spent a weekend (the dates were set out as finger food), who I’m sure (knowing where he usually shops) got them from an organic market. > > And **quiltguy154** is right. Uncandied whole dates are incredibly good! Ok. I’ve only seen them dried, candied, or rolled in oats in gorp mixtures. What can I say. I’ve always had trouble finding dates. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/32 "2005-02-01T13:45:11Z")
> [@Bewildebeest](#): > > What can I say. I’ve always had trouble finding dates. ☹ I here you can even get [dates online](http://www.nutsonline.com/item/department/dates/item/extra-large-medjool-dates.html) these days! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/33 "2005-02-01T13:46:25Z")
Ohmigod, ohmigod, I did not just spell “hear” “here” did I? Shoot me now. :smack: I, obviously, am unworthy of dates. ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/34 "2005-02-01T13:52:17Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I here you can even get [dates online](http://www.nutsonline.com/item/department/dates/item/extra-large-medjool-dates.html) these days! :eek: Dates on call? Who’d a thunk it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/35 "2005-02-04T05:21:52Z")
Larry the Lemon was a favoured plant of mine, started from a couple of seeds in a small pot and some patience. Nice dark green leaves, pleasant to look at, and I really liked crushing the fallen or withering leaves for the sharp, citrus scent. Larry died one year on the balcony when we moved to a place that was inhospitable for gardening. I’ve sprouted pomegranate seeds, too, but also let the plants perish on that same balcony. A really neat plant is produced from starfruit seeds. Mine didn’t get to the flowering stage, but were very attractive, with leaves that fold over when darkness falls, and open again with light. [Starfruit plant.](http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~hino/starfruit1.JPG) All those plants were unusual; I liked them. All were produced from grocery store fruit. Meh on avacado, though–I don’t think it’s an attractive plant. I want to sprout things again, too! It’s neat watching them slowly develop. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/36 "2005-02-04T13:49:42Z")
Mangos are an interesting fruit tree to grow from the giant pit. You scrub and rinse off the pulp and plant shallowly in a big pot (if I remember right, there’s a broader end which looks more obviously like where the first roots should emerge, and that end should be lower in the pot). I have a bunch of key lime seedlings coming along now. All sprouted within a couple of weeks from pits placed in lightweight potting soil and covered by about a quarter to a half inch of soil, kept moist but not soggy. The plants like strong light and a shot of iron supplement once in awhile. One interesting citrus plant to grow indoors is the Ponderosa lemon, which you can get from mail order nurseries like Logee’s (I think it also comes true from seed). You get gigantic lemons on a tree when it’s only 2-3 feet tall. Apple trees grown from seed are very likely to be different from and inferior to their parents. The Bible for those interested in growing plants from fruit seeds is Richard Langer’s _After-Dinner Gardening Book_. It’s a funny and detailed account of all the things he grew based from pits rescued from desserts, trips to ethnic markets etc. It may be out of print but I see it frequently in used book sales, and someplace like Amazon would probably have it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/37 "2005-02-04T14:06:35Z")
Lychee stones can be sprouted, but you need to get really fresh fruits and plant the pips immediately on removing them from the fruit (this is generally the case with large, fleshy seeds). I’ve also grown prickly pear cacti and loquat trees from seeds. ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/38 "2005-02-04T19:32:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Mangos are an interesting fruit tree to grow from the giant pit. You scrub and rinse off the pulp and plant shallowly in a big pot (if I remember right, there’s a broader end which looks more obviously like where the first roots should emerge, and that end should be lower in the pot). A quicker way to germinate Mangoes is to open up the pit. The seed actually sits within it, and the outside shell comes off. Usually there’s a small split that allows you to get your nails in between. You have to be careful not to marr the actual seed. The other thing is, if the mangoes have been refrigerated, the pits often won’t germinate. If the seed inside the shell looks discolored or blackish, it’s no good. Mangoes are also polyembryonic and these generally provide plants with good fruit (however unless you live where it’s warm year round you most likely won’t see fruit… although I know of a guy in Modesto in California who says he has fruit on his mango trees). As to lychee, etc. Many tropical fruits have seeds with short periods of viability. The moment the seed dries out, the seed usually fails to germinate. I’ve also found Cherimoya seeds to be easy to germinate. I’ve got three seedlings growing right now. My next attempt may be to germinate tamarind from the seeds. ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/39 "2005-02-04T21:44:39Z")
I have a huge apple tree in my backyard that was started with a seed from a grocery store apple, don’t remember which kind, about 15 years ago. It puts out a few apples every year but they are shrunken and poorly formed. I have never tried eating one yet. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529/40 "2005-02-05T23:08:08Z")
> [@quiltguy154](#): > > Years ago I had a pair of seed-grown grapefruit trees. I wired one in the bonsai method and it bloomed just shy of a year, the other never did. I had wanted to shape the tree in a particular way, never realizing this would speed up the flowering process[or was this a case of _post hoc, ergo propter hoc_] That quite small tree produced maybe a dozen flowers before it succumbed to a scale. Each tiny flower was enough to perfume an entire room, it got to be so bad that at times I had to place it in another room because the scent was just too strong. You may want to give it a shot, it just takes a few minutes and some copper wire IIRC, tying off a branch is the usual way plant breeders force early fruit to see if that new variety is any good. Heavy pruning supposedly also helps. I guess your bonsai’s treatment made it bloom early. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sprouting-fruit-seeds/287529.md?page=1)