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If you want to plant a medlar tree, use the seeds from the fruit or seeds you have purchased. Even though you will need to be patient for a few years until germination, growing your own medlars is well worth the effort.
Planting and germinating medlar seeds
You can buy medlar seeds in stores or extract them from the fruit of the tree. The seeds are easiest to remove from fully ripe fruit in the fall.
- Clean the seeds with water and remove any remaining pulp.
- Then dry them thoroughly.
- Like all cold germinators, medlar seeds need a period of frost to germinate. One option is to store them in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.
- Plant in spring and leave the seeds to soak in a glass of water for about 1 day.
- Fill a flower pot with potting soil and press the seeds about half a centimeter deep into the soil.
- Keep the seeds moist at all times and place the seed pot in a warm, sheltered, and bright place.
- In biodegradable seed pots, you can plant the seedlings directly outdoors in spring.
Sowing medlar seeds outdoors
If you have collected the medlar seeds in autumn, you can also sow them directly outdoors. However, a frosty, cold winter is necessary for successful germination in spring.
- Choose a sheltered spot in the garden that is sunny and warm so that the medlar will thrive.
- The soil should be calcareous, loamy, deep, and somewhat stony so that rain and moisture can drain away easily.
- Enrich the soil with compost.
- Place the medlar seeds about half a centimeter deep in the soil and water them lightly.
- Make sure there is enough space between the individual seeds so that you do not have to replant the medlars. A mature tree needs about 7 meters of space for its crown.
- Now you need a little patience. It can take up to 2 years for the seeds to germinate. During this time, make sure that the soil is always well moistened and does not dry out.
