How to Germinate Apricot Seeds Fast | Expert Tips for Quick Growth

Germinating apricot seeds is one of the toughest things to do because it can take months. But if I tell you, you can germinate apricot seeds faster than before.

The fastest way to germinate the seeds of apricot involves a process called stratification, in which you keep the temperature low and create an ideal cold condition like winter in which the apricot seeds can germinate successfully.

In the blog below, I explain the full process of how to germinate an apricot seed. So stay with us.

What is Seed Germination?

Most of you know what germination is, but for those who don’t know, it is a process in which a plant or an organism grow form a seed or a spore. Meanwhile, for apricate, it’s a little bit different. The seed of apricate must break the dormancy state first, that is a state in which the seed lies inactive until the surrounding condition gets favorable for growth. There are also some other factors that affects its time to growth which are listed below.

• Moisture: For apricot to germinate, you have to provide the necessary moisture.
• Temperature: For germination, you need to keep the temperature according to the needs of the germinator. For apricot, you need to keep the temperature about 30 to 45F.
• Seed Condition: For high chance of germination, you need to use viable seeds that have a high chance of germinating.

How to Germinate Apricot Seeds Fast:

Now let me tell you my methods of germinating apricate seed fast.

Step 1: Harvesting Apricot Seeds:

The first step is to get an apricate seed. You should get it from a trusted source, remove the pit and crack open it to access the inside seed. Clean it from any fruit residue. After that, you should dry the seed to prevent it from rotting.

Related: How to Grow Pumpkin Seeds.

Step 2: Stratification Process:

For germination you have to follow a process stratification in which you have to keep the apricot seed in cold area for sometime. We stimulate winter conditions because apricots can germinate better in winter. For stratification, you have to keep the seeds in a plastic bag with a paper towel or pear moss, then keep it in a refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks. The process helps the seeds to break the dormancy period and engorge the seed to sprout faster than before.

Step 3: Pre-Soaking Seeds:

After the stratification process, it’s time for pre-soaking. The pre-soaking is a process where the seed is kept in lukewarm water for about 24 hours. The process allows the seed to absorb moisture and make its coating soft for easy sprouting. You have to follow the steps for a couple of days for proper germination.

Step 4: Using the Paper Towel Method:

Another great way to germinate apricot seeds is the paper towel method. In this method, you have to keep the soaked seeds in a damp paper towel, and after folding them, keep them in a sealed plastic bag. Now, take the bag and keep it somewhere warm, about 65 to 75 F. This method is also pretty fast, and I try it myself. After keeping it for couple of days then you have to check it for any signs of sprout if it has sprouted then its great but if not then check it regularly.

Step 5: Planting Environment:

Finally, the apricot seeds sprout and germinate, and you have to plant them in the soil. For planting you need appropriate environment, and that temperature include proper well drained, loam soil, 6 hours of sunlight, and proper water for keeping the soil moist but not soggy.

Step 6: Transplanting the Seedling:

After a couple of weeks, when the sprout turns into seedlings and reaches about 4 to 6 inches of height and also produces roots, it is time to translate the seedlings into the proper garden. For planting you need to select a place where it get proper sunlight.

Mistakes to Avoid During Apricot Seed Germination:

A lot of people try to germinate the apricot seed but fail. I did it many times, but after trying a lot, now I know what I was doing wrong. Now let me tell you those mistake for you to avoid.

• Avoid oversoaking seeds, which can lead to rot.
• Planting the seedlings, especially those sprouting too deep where they can’t get enough sunlight. So you need to plant it proper so it get enough sunlight.
• Not getting proper quality seeds is one of the most common mistakes that every beginner gardener has made. So whenever you planning to plant apricot or any other plant, make sure to get proper seed to have high change of germination.
• Too much water is also a bad move when you plant the sprout seeds into the soil. Giving too much water rots the seed sprouts in the soil.
• Skipping any of the above mentioned steps can not only lead to slow germination process but also make the seed unable to sprout.

How Long for Apricot Seeds to Germinate:

Apricot seed germination is one of the slow processes, even with the above-mentioned fast method. The apricot seed germination will take about 4 to 7 weeks if you follow the above-mentioned method. Other than that, apricot seed germination can take couple of months.

Here is a video demonstration of germinating apricot fast

Final Thoughts:

Germinating apricot seeds is a long and hard process, but if you follow proper methods like the one mentioned above, it can increase the process. With the above method you can germinate apricot seeds within couple of week if you are patients and follow it as it is.

I hope you understand the topic, but if you have any questions, ask them in the comment section, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.