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Which way up in pot for sprouting plum seed?

young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
in Fruit & veg

Back in the dormant period I stratified some plum stones in my fridge, in a dry state like inside an envelope for example.

Some weeks later, I removed from the fridge briefly to crack open the shells to gain access to the seeds. I then placed these seeds in tissue soaked in tepid water and placed back in fridge in a plastic container.

After 2 or 3 weeks I placed this container above my gas fire. The seeds have begun sprouting within the warm wet tissue as planned

I want to transfer the sprouting ones to small individual pot of compost.

 After my efforts as described above I don't want to mess up at this stage. The question is, which way up in the compost do I put the sprouting  seed?







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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    If it helps, most seeds sprout the root first so sprouting end down but if in doubt, place them on their sides and they will sort themselves out without any problem whatsoever. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    ok thanks :)
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    9 days later

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Roots going downwards ... I’d cover that up with some compost and keep it damp. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    I think the photo is maybe a bit misleading. The green shoot that can be seen  has grown about 13mm above the surface of the soil,  from originally being under the soil.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The two 'seed leaves' are inside the brown bit at the top, which is the outside of the original seed, as Philippa said.  As the leaves swell, the seed casing usually splits and falls off by itself. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    But if it’s too dry it can get stuck. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Dovefromabove said:
    But if it’s too dry it can get stuck. 
    Indeed it can Dove! :) I sometime find that with squash seeds, some of which are incredibly difficult to remove!
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Snap! @BobTheGardener 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    It's a slow process!  :D

    Pic 2. 
    18 days after originally sowing in the 1st pot. 

    There was nothing wrong with the first pot, but the compost had sunk right down. 

    I used a teaspoon to get under the root and gently lifted and trasferred to another pot without disturbing soil around root.

    Could be a little while before I show pictures of plums 😃

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