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

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
Alpine strawberry - White - 328CMK

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   March 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

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
Camarosa - Strawberry - 367CMK

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
Cape Gooseberry - 81RW

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
Feijoa - 335CMK

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
Gojiberry - 323RW

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

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
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
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Guava -  Red Cherry - 317CMK

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
Guava - yellow cherry - 215CMK

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

Melon - Tigger - 237SPH

Details   This fruit is an orange/yellow with brilliant fire-red, zigzag stripes and white flesh. They have a lovely smell and a sweet, juicy cucumber like taste. The fruit is small - reaching up to 500g approx. This heirloom originally came from an Armenian market. I have been growing them in my southern tunnel house with success and high yields.
Botanical name   Cucumis melot
Date Of Seed Harvest   Autumn 2023
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hiltrop
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $4.50
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Orange - blood red -363CMk

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

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
Rockmelon - Amish - 232CMK

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

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
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   Aug 2023
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
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Tamarillo - Laird's Large - 213SS

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
Tamarillo - Teds Red - 258SS

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

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
Watermelon - Charleston Grey - 318CMK

Watermelon - Charleston Grey - 318CMK

Details   Charleston Grey, oblong fruit, sweet, grey coloured skin, fruit size 9-15 kg, fruits are oblong, red/pink flesh.
Botanical name   Citrullus lanatus
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2024
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $4.50
watermelon - Crimson sweet - 313CMK

watermelon - Crimson sweet - 313CMK

Details   Crimson Sweet looks much the same as the cannon ball watermelon. Many of the fruits Carla grew weight between 6 and 11 kg in size.
Botanical name   Citrullus Lanatus
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2024
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $4.50
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