Out to get a seed out of a pitt.....

I was wondering if I could start a nectarine seed from one I've bought in the store. My mother was able to do this with a papaya. How do I get the seed out of the pitt? Any ideas or am I crazy?

Nectarines are a lot harder to grow from seed than papaya, and usually won't come true. (Like peaches, most of the ones you get at the store were grafts.) So if you really want a nectarine tree, you'd probably be best off buying one at the nursery.

But, if you just want to see if you can make it grow, sure, go for it! They're a lot like peaches. They need to think it has been winter before they will grow. So put it in the refrigerator for three months or so, humid but not damp, like wrapped in a moist coffee filter, in a baggie. Then stick it in dirt and make it think it is spring, by putting it somewhere warm, still humid but not wet.

If you want to help it along, you can crack the pit before doing any of that. Let it dry on the counter maybe a week. Use a nut cracker, or a pair of pliers, or a vise. The seeds inside will look sort of like almond nuts, another related plant. Try to sorta crack it gently, you don't want to tear up the seed too much.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'm going to try the pliers trick. I can always go back to the drawing board, right? Once I get the seed out of the pit, should I keep it damp on a paper towel or just stick it straight in the potting soil?

Hi! I know you've probably already accomplished getting your seed out of the pit, but for future info - I have used a bench vise to slowly squeeze the pit until the joint between the 2 halves cracks open. Then plant. The plant would grow right out of there.