Cherry Seedling Problems

4 years ago

Lets try again. Hi everyone, I am having some problems with my cherry tree seedlings. I have four one that seems to be doing just fine albeit a bit smaller than I had hoped for considering the peach tree seedling in the picture with it was germinated and planted at the same time. The other three were germinated together and planted about two weeks ago, using the same form of germination I used with the peach trees, which had a much better germination rate 2/2 instead of 1/5. All three germinated beautifully though one was faster than the others. I planted them all in a small makeshift greenhouse until they were large enough to move to their own pots. The one that germinated first, however, seems to have no pigment to it's leaves. It is still growing and appears healthy other than the color, the second is growing and green just like the one I planted at the same time as the peach trees. The last one is very odd, it was doing well growing and green, then without warning it became brown and the leaves shriveled up. It still has what appears to be a healthy root on it, I could find no rot or fungus, but I am afraid it is not going to make it. I have been fighting an infestation of fungus gnats with my roses that I was attempting to propagate and have had two separate batches of them die. I have tried some organic insecticide and I plan on using some neem oil on it also, if the garlic/pepper tea doesn't help. The flies and gnats don't seem to like it too much so maybe it'll keep them away from my healthy plants.

I was just hoping that someone might have some insight as to what is wrong with these cherry seedlings and what if anything can be done to save them. I also noticed today that each of my peach tree seedlings (these are twins, from the same stone) had leaves on them that had began to curl. The one in the picture with the cherry seedling had a leaf that was rolled under like it had had a curler on it. The other one was a larger leaf and is more like curling in from the sides, both were puffy, though no other leaf on either plant is. I'm hoping to catch any problems early enough so I don't lose them.

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Comments (3)

party_music50
4 years ago
Mostly I notice that your potting mix appears to be overly saturated. Did you just finish watering them before taking the photos? That wet soil is going to make your fungus gnat situation even worse. And why aren't you growing them outdoors in natural light?
Danita Cronkhite thanked party_music50
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
You may already be aware of this but I should point out that fruit trees grown from seed will not be the same fruit as what you planted. Cherries of course will produce cherries but if you plant a Bing cherry seed, you will not necessarily get a Bing cherry tree. In fact, the fruit may not look or taste anything like a Bing cherry or even be particularly tasty. Ditto with the peaches. The only sure way of getting the same fruit is by vegetative or non-seed propagation.......grafting or cuttings.
Danita Cronkhite thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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Danita Cronkhite
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
To answer your questions, yes I did just finish watering them, but it is actually a garlic and cayenne pepper tea and has done wonders for the fungus gnat problem, I haven't seen any on any of my seedlings since I started using it. I am not growing them outdoors yet because I am afraid to put them outside. I live in San Antonio, TX and the temperatures have been up around 100 for about a month now. I am planning to start putting them out a few hours a day to acclimate them. However, they will stay in pots (larger ones) until I have a more permanent residence. I am aware that cherry, peach and most other fruit do not grow true to seed, and they don't always produce fruit, so we will see what we get when and if we get any fruit. I was thinking of putting a grow light on the one that is so pale, just because with the heat and the sheer volume of insects here in TX. I don't think it can withstand another such attack. Thank you both for answering my post, I will endeavor to not overwater them, I currently water only when the tops are dry, and I water from the bottom. like I said the moister seen in the photos is from the garlic/cayenne tea. I am curious though whether you have any idea about the one cherry seedling. I've grown 4 now and that is the only one to grow like that, I am at a loss as to why since everything has been done the same way for all of them.