Best Places To Buy Fruit Seeds Online?

[wild]

Hey guys,

I do not have the funds to be buying fruit plants/ trees as they tend to be more expensive and furthermore quite enjoy watching them grow from seed. I'm finding that there seems to be few fruit seed sellers online from legitimate businesses (ie. Non dodgy ebay sellers...), apart from many selling strawberries & melons

Am I missing a treasure trove of a website that provides cheap, interesting and legit fruit seeds? I'm SW England. I'd love cherry seeds, kiwi seeds, plum seeds, lemon seeds... You know, something a little different.

[veggiechicken]

There's a reason why you don't find sellers of fruit tree seeds - because they are normally grown from cuttings/scions and by grafting onto rootstocks.

[AkionTotocha]

You can buy fruit tree scions online, one place I saw was selling some very tempting kinds of apple and plum scions for £2.50 each. (I'm scared of grafting)

But if I wasn't I do have a former apple tree who's rootstock is putting up some tempting shoots...

Grafting is harder than growing from seed so if you wanted a challenge, that could be an option?

As for Lemons, they only grow inside and they're very fussy and easy to kill. I don't know if there are citrus that are harder to grow than lemons, but I can name a whole bunch that are easier.

[Guest]

There is no need to buy seed of fruit just sow what comes out of the fruit you buy to eat. The down side of growing shop bought is it will take longer to fruit (you may never see it fruit), the size of the mature tree and the variety may not be like the parent. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nge_85744.html

In regards to buying trees there are arguments for and against most options. Specialist nursery trees you usually get what you expect and good customer service but most expensive option. Then you can get fruit trees from various discount shops where quite a few people have said they haven't got what they bought. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ees_88088.html Also bare root over potted tend to make for a more affordable option which can usually be picked up between Nov-Feb ish.

As mentioned grafting is also another option but can become a little addictive. It is worth asking around and seeing if there are any orchards etc. to see if peeps have fruit trees that you can scrounge scions from so you only pay for your rootstocks.

Also when you have been here 3 months and made 50 posts you can join in swaps etc. like the VSP (virtual seed parcel) http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...sts_83433.html

[Kirk]

I would look around at the price of some trees. JUst these days seeds can cost a fair bit to start with. Places like Lidl, Alsi, Wilkinsons and The Range come to mind. Lidl and Alsi will often have a whole bunch of fruit trees appear at their entrance. Last week they had grape vines at Lidl.

Lemons will grow from seed but they take years to produce fruit and they are sort of boarder line with regards to temperature. They are I think about the only citrus worth considering, but expect a bush not a fruit.

As tree seeds need pollinating they are a cross and will/may not follow the parent on which they were bourne. Blame Darwin and Mendal - Darwin realised there had to be a mechanism, Mendal identified it - think he used peas or beans or something like that. Sweet peas perhaps. I still like the thought that in terms of DNA we are half banana.

Some I suspect you could take a cutting from some and propogate it (I have 2 new Bay's I did this to), another option is layering. But you need a friend with the source plant.

Still suspect that a look at the budget stores is the way to go, and not likely much if any more costly.

[Cadalot]

Also when you have been here 3 months and made 50 posts you can join in swaps etc. like the VSP (virtual seed parcel) http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...sts_83433.html

OK all I see is list of seed, how does this work?

[veggiechicken]

It works like this -! http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...cel_83432.html
Basically, you need to be a member for 3 months and have made 50 posts. You swap your seeds for those on the VSP, via me as I am Keeper of the Seeds.

[wild]

Thanks all