How To Germinate A Date Pit?
The date is one of those fruits whose pit can be recovered in the hope of obtaining a free green plant. If you enjoy the sweet flavor of dates and the graphic appearance of the date palm, don't hesitate to give it a try! We will explain how to germinate a date pit step by step.
1- Choose organic dates
Everyone has at some point tried to grow an avocado tree from an avocado pit. But have you ever tried to do the same with date pits?
This type of pit is well-suited for germination, on one condition: choose dates from organic farming that have not been dried industrially. Indeed, certain drying and high-temperature pasteurization methods can kill the pit and make germination impossible.
To germinate a date pit while maximizing your chances, it is best to choose sun-dried organic dates or, even better, fresh dates.
Note: Deglet Nour dates sold in boxes are rarely pasteurized, unlike those sold in plastic trays.
2- Carefully clean the core
We don't always think about it, but the second step to germinating a date pit is to clean it thoroughly.
Use water and a small brush to remove any flesh residues that could promote the rotting of the pit or the development of fungi on its surface.
3- Place the pit in a glass of water.
Once the pit is thoroughly clean, the actual germination can begin. In theory, it is very easy to germinate a date pit since you only need to place it in a glass of water at room temperature.
In practice, several points must be considered:
• Use lukewarm water, not cold water.
• Change the water and clean the glass every three days to prevent bacterial growth.
• Place the glass in a warm and bright location, as the pit needs a temperature between 20°C and 30°C to produce its first root.
Patience is also required to determine if germination has been successful. On average, it takes 10 to 15 days for the pit to develop its first root.
Even when roots start to appear, you still need to be a bit patient! Wait until the roots are 1 to 2 cm long before moving on to the next step.
4- Put the pits in the ground
The next step for germinating a date pit is planting it in soil, when the roots are about 2 cm long.
If you have germinated several pits, you can:
• either plant them in small individual pots, choosing pots at least 15 cm tall.
• or group them in a larger pot to save space at home and observe the development of your seedlings. Space the pits at least 10 cm apart and wait. You can then select the most vigorous seedling to transplant into a pot and turn it into an indoor green plant.
Whatever container you choose, you must add clay pebbles to the bottom of the pot, at least 3 cm thick, to ensure effective drainage. Also, make sure to use a light and draining substrate, such as a special soil for succulents and cacti.
The planting method is very simple:
• Make a hole in the soil with your index finger, about two knuckles deep.
• Place the date pit root down.
• Cover with soil, without packing.
• Water lightly and wait.
5- Taking Care of Your Date Palm
When you decide to germinate a date seed, you already imagine a beautiful date palm in the middle of your living room. To avoid too much disappointment, you should know that the date palm or Phoenix dactylifera is a slow-growing species.
On average, you need to wait at least two months before seeing a seedling appear. During this time, you should:
• keep the soil moist, without letting water stagnate in the saucer.
• keep the plant warm, ideally at 30°C for the first month.
In the beautiful season, you can take the plant outside and place it in full sun as soon as it has developed its first leaf. In winter, you will of course need to bring it indoors to protect it from the cold and wind.
If you take good care of your date palm, you will have a beautiful free green plant after a few years! However, you will not be able to harvest dates because this plant needs a lot of heat and sunlight to bear fruit.
