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.

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

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

Contains at least 100

Price per packet $5.50

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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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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

Grower name Carla Mc Knight

Date Of Seed Harvest May 2024

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 which they 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.

100% NZ grown seed

Botanical name Lycium barbarum

Grower name Richard Paul

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

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

Storage Info Seed stock refreshed yearly

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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Guava - Red Cherry - 315CMK

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

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

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 frost, likes full sun or partial shade

Botanical name Psidium guajava

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Loquat - 95CMK

Details Loquats are native to the cooler hill regions of south-central China and will grow happily throughout New Zealand. This shrub grows from 5 to 10 meters, has beautiful big tropical looking dark green leaves, the flowers are aromatic producing tasty tangy yellow fruit, the 3/4 big seeds are not edible, but the leaves can be made into a herbal tea

Botanical name Eriobotrya japonica

Grower name Carla McKnight

Contains at least 10

Price per packet $4.50

Out of stock

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 melo

Grower name Sara Pepers-Hiltrop

Date Of Seed Harvest Autumn 2023

Storage Info Seed stock refreshed yearly

Contains at least 20

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.

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest Sep 2022

Storage Info Seed frozen stored

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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Pink Raspberry - 5RW

Details A sweet fruit that's less tart than the red, grows into a 1.5m bush in heavy damp soils, 1m on light land. Was found growing near the Arthurs Pass village in the 1950's by a gardener who maintained this variety in Rangiora till his death in the early 90's. Richard has grown it ever since. Raspberry seed needs stratification, which can also be done in the fridge by placing the seed in damp paper on a plate then cover the plate with cling wrap. About 6-8 weeks should be enough.

Cuttings will be available during winter, hit the watch tab and a notification will be email out.

Botanical name Rubus

Contains at least 20

Grower name Richard-Paul

Storage Info Seed stock refreshed yearly

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

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2023

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

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

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

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest Feb 2024

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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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

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

Contains at least 20

Price per packet $4.50

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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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White Alpine strawberry - 328CMK

Details Alpine strawberries were originally native to Europe and Asia, The fruits are small conical in shape and are far more fragrant and luscious than their larger sized, commercially grown kin.
Unlike “regular” strawberries, alpine strawberries do not produce runners. They grow in clumps that increase in size as the plant ages.
The seeds can take several weeks to germinate, but once they sprout, they grow quickly. Sow seed shallow of no more than 2-3mm. Alpine strawberries are great border plants, used as a ground cover or potted up,in groups or single plants, remove and let plants replace themselves after a few years (younger plants produce better fruit that don’t drop off as easily as older plants do). If growing large quantities makes for a very tasty jam, if entertaining freeze individual strawberries in cubes of ice to go into drinks, kids especially like this, also great when cake decorating and in salads or on the side, or just simply on their own.

Botanical name Fragaria vesca

Grower name Carla McKnight

Date Of Seed Harvest March 2024

Storage Info seed regrown each year

Contains at least 30

Price per packet $4.50

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