Cherry Seedlings?

Question

Any one know of a good medium to use to grow a cherry seedling that's only about an inch big? I keep getting root rot. Same thing happens with apple and pear seedlings. I've read that it's due to overwatering whereby the roots do not get air. Will using sand help? Anyone here with a green thumb that can give advice?

My problem is not trying to get seed to root. It's after the roots come out, turns brown. It's a type of root rot due to too much water.

Answer 1

It sounds like you have correctly identified the problem. Overwatering is a frequest cause of problems with newly established plants of many kinds. Best advice is to start the seeds in a good starter mix of potting soil. Start them in the thin plastic containers you see at all of the home improvement stores. Fit the individual containers in a plastic tray, and keep water in the tray. The holes in the bottom of the containers will allow water to wick up through the soil to the roots. You can buy kits for this purpose, but I save the containers and trays from bedding plants I purchase in the spring for this purpose. I have also gotten them for free from Lowe's garden center where they often discard dead and dying plants, and will give you the containers.

As the plants grow, you may have to transplant then into bigger containers following the same procedure. They should be set into the ground well before winter so they can harden off before first frost. Protect them from deer and rodents as best you can and they should leaf in the spring. Patience will reward you in the end.

Good luck with your gardening.

Answer 2

Have you tried to get them to root in a glass of water? Stick a tooth pick on three sides of the seed and place the seed in a glass of water with the tooth picks holding the seed up off the bottom. After a few days the root will begin to sprout. when it gets about 3 inches long you can transplant it into soil. Good luck

Answer 3

The seedling could desire to particularly be in a 2" pot till the roots start to instruct out of the Drainage hols. Then pass it to a bigger pot, 4 " etc with out hectic the roots too plenty. The pot could desire to have drainage hollow(s) in the backside Water it thoroughly as quickly as each and every week or while the soil seems dry to touch some million a million/2" below the exterior. Over watering will reason it to rot and die. while watering, water it untill you notice water working from the drainage hollow(s). defend it from frost yet that should not be a topic now.