Grow fruiting plants from seed

Growing fruit trees from seed is a gratifying and environmentally conscious endeavour that offers a range of benefits.

Firstly, it provides an affordable alternative to purchasing mature trees, as seeds are often more economical and widely accessible.

Cultivating fruit trees from seed also allows for a deeper connection with the growth process, from germination to maturity, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Additionally, growing from seed promotes genetic diversity, as each seed represents a unique combination of traits. This diversity can contribute to more resilient and adaptable orchards, better equipped to withstand environmental challenges.

While it may take longer for seed-grown trees to bear fruit compared to grafted varieties, the resulting trees often develop robust root systems and are well-suited to local soil and climate conditions.

Alpine Strawberry - Red - 357CMK

Details Alpine Strawberry - Red, also known as woodland strawberries are a perennial, these grew runners and make a good ground cover, can also be grown in pots or baskets in full fun or semi shade. They produce small round fruit most of the year round in warmer climates, leaves can also be used to make tea or externally for relief of sunburn, fruit eaten as they are or used in fruit salad, cake decorating or in ice cubes or even in salsa, they also provide potassium and vitamin A and C

Botanical name Fragaria vesca

Date Of Seed Harvest September 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Alpine strawberry - White - 328CMK

Details Variety ‘Alpine White’ strawberry plants is one that does produce runners’ these plants can be grown indoors in a sunny position, a occasional dab of their flowers with a small paint brush or cotton bud to ensure pollination. The best time to pick the strawberries is when they almost fall into your hand for this reason they are not grown commercially all so because they don’t produce as many as hybrid strawberries
, they are shallow rooted so pays to use a mulch so the roots don’t get disturbed or dry up too quick in the summer, pine needles have a ph of 3 when fresh but a ph of 7 when aged I use them for my garlic beds too. Unlike hybrid strawberries alpine come “true” from seed so they can be propagated reliably from seed.

Botanical name Fragaria vesca

Date Of Seed Harvest Nov 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Storage Info seed regrown each year

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Blueberry - 322CMK

Details This seed is a genetic diverse line as Carla has many different cultivars, expect to see hybrid vigour but also there will be weak plants that will be best to discard. Select only the strongest plants

Botanical name Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 100

Price per packet $5.50

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Camarosa - Strawberry - 367CMK

Details These are a early season berry that grow a large fruit, and also give a heavy yield. Dec and early Jan is the peak harvest period

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 30+ seeds

Price per packet $4.50

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Cape Gooseberry - 81RW

Details The cape gooseberry are grown for its small orange fruits encased in a papery husk. They taste like a cross between a gooseberry and a tropical fruit and can be eaten straight from the plant, used in preserves or salsa, or added to cakes and desserts as a garnish. Each plant can produce a kilo of fruits, which are high in vitamin C.

Botanical name Physalis peruviana

Contains at least 20

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2023

Grower name Richard-Paul

Storage Info grown fresh each year

Price per packet $4.50

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Carla's purple cooking plum - 361CMK

Details This variety is a heavy cropper, self fertile with dark coloured flesh that’s been in Carla's garden for many years, great tree provides lots of plums. Seed need to be kept damp in the fridge for 6-8 weeks before sowing.

Date Of Seed Harvest 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 10

Price per packet $4.50

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Feijoa - 335CMK

Details A collection of many different cultivars so expect a range of diversity in fruit shape.
Seed grown Feijoa trees are hardier than grafted rootstock plants, growing a combination of different varieties will ensure good pollination resulting in more fruit produced. Feijoas are great in a smoothy, fruit crumble, baking, chutney,and on their own, good to freeze.

Botanical name Feijoa sellowiana

Date Of Seed Harvest May 2024

Grower name Carla Mc Knight

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Gojiberry - 323RW

Details Gojiberries are best grown in large tubs as they are prone to spreading via suckers if grown in a bare soil environment in which they will do much better than growing in competition with grass, weeds etc. Grown in containers or tubs Gojiberries can be quite productive and fruit over a long period. They also respond to heavy pruning during winter and fruit forms on new growth.

Sowing seed should not be too deep, no more than 2-3mm deep is recommended

100% NZ grown seed

Botanical name Lycium barbarum

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

Grower name Richard Paul

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Gooseberry - Yellow Central Otago - 112RW

Details This seed comes off a bush which originated from the old Central Otago gold fields, grows about a metre tall and produces a light yellow colour fruit when ripe. Its the best tasting and hardiest bush that Richard has grown.

Botanical name Ribes uva-crispa

Grower name Richard Paul Watson

Storage Info Seed stock refreshed yearly

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Guava - Red Cherry - 317CMK

Details These shrubs produce sweet scented flowers that produce small red fruits about 2 cm or bigger in size , the whole fruit is edible, you can tea out of the leaves. Shrub grows to approximately 4 m, keep to desired size by pruning, self fertile, pick fruit when almost ready to drop off.

Botanical name Psidium guajava

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Guava - yellow cherry - 215CMK

Details This shrub can grow up to 6 m, can be pruned desired size. Fruit grows up to 2 cm if not a bit bigger, sweeter in flavour than the red guava, creamy lemony flavour. Cold hardy, tolerates light frost, likes full sun or partial shade

Botanical name Psidium guajava

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Orange - blood red -363CMk

Details Blood orange is a sweet flavoured orange that has orange to red/crimson coloured flesh, the more exposure to sun and ripening the redder they get.Heavy producer, high in fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants and other minerals and vitamins.

Botanical name Citrus sinensis

Date Of Seed Harvest 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Storage Info seed restocked each year

Contains at least 15

Price per packet $4.50

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Passionfruit - Black Beauty - 119CMK

Details Passion fruit has a sweet and tangy taste, great eating on its own or with ice cream or made into a jelly. When growing they appreciate soil rich in organic matter. Protect from strong winds and frost, prefers a sunny location where it can grow up a support. They like a bit of fertiliser in the spring.

Date Of Seed Harvest Sep 2022

Grower name Carla McKnight

Storage Info Seed frozen stored

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Raspberry - pink/orange - 315RW

Details This pink coloured cultivar of raspberry is sweeter than its red relative. In heavier soils it can grow up to 1.5m tall

Raspberry seeds require cold-stratification to germinate, meaning exposure to cold temperatures for an extended period. Cold-stratify the seeds in your refrigerator for at least one month by placing them in a sealed plastic bag with damp sphagnum moss or a pre-moistened paper towel.
Germination usually takes four to six weeks, so be patient. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil consistently moist while the seeds germinate.

Some growers prefer planting raspberries from seed directly in the garden in late autumn. .

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Botanical name Rubus idaeus

Date Of Seed Harvest Dec 2024

Grower name Richard Paul Watson

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Rockmelon - Amish - 232CMK

Details Smaller in size so doesn’t require as long a summer to grow unlike the bigger ones, plant in rich soil in direct sunlight once frost’s have passed.
fruit grows to 20 cm across 3 kg in weight, flesh is orange.
Heirloom
Disease resistant

Botanical name Cucumis melo

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2023

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Tamarillo - Bold Gold - 267SS

Details Bold Gold Tamarillo is a fast growing bush that can produce up to 20kgs when fully grown. The fruit is medium size and yellow/gold in colour. Tamarillo bushes are frost tender and need good shelter from winds, they are susceptible to aphids and whitefly, so consider companion planting with herbs such as basil or coriander to deter pests. Propagation: Place Bold Gold Tamarillo seeds in seed raising mix cover with a fine layer of mix, water well and place tray in a warm sunny spot, spring is the best time, germination can take 2-3 weeks.

Botanical name Solanum betaceum

Date Of Seed Harvest Aug 2023

Grower name Sarah Smith

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Tamarillo - Laird's Large - 213SS

Details Laird's Large Tamarillo is a fast growing bush that can produce up to 20kgs when fully grown. The fruit is a large deep purple/red colour. Tamarillo bushes are frost tender and need good shelter from winds. Tamarillo's are susceptible to aphids and whitefly, consider companion planting with herbs such as basil or coriander to deter pests. Propagation: Sow Lairds Large Tamarillo seeds directly onto a firm bed of seed raising mix and press in well. Cover with a light layer of mix. Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days.

Botanical name Solanum betaceum

Grower name Sarah Smith

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2022

Storage Info Seed frozen stored

Contains at least 30 seeds

Price per packet $4.50

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Tamarillo - Teds Red - 258SS

Details Teds Red Tamarillo is a fast growing bush good producing tree when fully grown. The fruit is red in colour and medium. Tamarillo bushes are frost tender and need good shelter from winds. Tamarillo are susceptible to aphids and whitefly, consider companion planting with herbs such as basil or coriander to deter pests. Propagation: Place Teds Red Tamarillo seeds in seed raising mix cover with a fine layer of mix, water well and place tray in a warm sunny spot, spring is the best time, germination can take 2-3 weeks.

Botanical name Solanum betaceum

Grower name Sarah Smith

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2023

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Watermelon - Cannonball - 331CMK

Details Cannon Ball is a round shape, crimson/red flesh, sweet, 9-12 kg fruit, sow in spring after frosts are over in a moist, sunny fertile soil, trailing plant.

Botanical name Couroupita Guianensis

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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