Each pear is unique due to cross-pollination. If you want to plant more trees in the future that will bear the same fruit, you can store half of the seeds in a plastic bag in your fridge for 2 years. You can use pears straight from a pear tree too. Just make sure to harvest them for seeds in the summer when they are ripe. Pear seeds should also be available for purchase at your local nursery or garden shop.
Moist potting soil will also work here, but may need to be watered more often than the moss.
If the peat moss has dried, use a spray bottle to moisten it again.
If any of the seeds float while you soak them, they will not grow. Dispose of any seeds that rise to the surface. [8] X Research source
Stick a toothpick next to each seed to mark where each seed is growing.
If you want to keep the humidity of your seedlings higher, you can loosely cover the cup with plastic wrap. This will help the soil retain its moisture for longer.
At this point, you can keep seedlings indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. If there is harsh sunlight, it may be best to keep your plants indoors until they develop further. If the seedling grows too big for its pot, you can transfer it to a larger pot so you can still move it indoors or outdoors.
To test the drainage of your soil, dig a hole 12 inches (0. 30 m) wide and 12 inches (0. 30 m) deep and fill it with water. Measure the depth of the water each hour. If it drains 1 to 3 inches (2. 5 to 7. 6 cm) each hour, the soil is well-draining. [15] X Research source Roots spread over time, so keep that in mind as you select a planting location. Keep the tree away from important structures or other plants that will need a sufficient amount of water.
Dwarf pear trees should be planted 12 to 15 feet (3. 7 to 4. 6 m) apart. [16] X Research source
Alternatively, you can try to straighten out the roots by hand if you’re able to.
There’s no need to add fertilizer when you plant the seedling, but you can mix in peat moss or compost with the soil if you want. [19] X Research source
Tree guards also help protect the trunk from sunlight.
Check the soil near your tree. If it still feels moist, you shouldn’t water your tree. Overwatering can cause damage as well. During a dry season, water your tree more often.
If the leaves are a pale green or yellow during summer, use more fertilizer the following year. If the tree grows more than 12 inches (0. 30 m) in one season, next season use less fertilizer.
Branches should be 12 inches (0. 30 m) apart so fruit can grow across all branches.
