Pitgroei

Pitgroei, literally translating to “pit growth” from Dutch, is a term used primarily in horticultural contexts to refer to the development of seeds contained within stone fruit pits and the early stages of seed germination. In Dutch-language sources, pitgroei is discussed in relation to seed viability, dormancy breaking, and the propagation of fruits such as peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries.

In practical horticulture, pitgroei encompasses both the natural process by which seeds inside pits begin to germinate and the artificial treatments used to promote germination. Common techniques aimed at stimulating pitgroei include scarification (physically breaking the seed coat) and stratification (exposing seeds to a period of cold or moist conditions to overcome dormancy). The aim is to achieve successful germination and, ultimately, seedling establishment for breeding, restoration, or home propagation programs. The specifics of pitgroei—timing, methods, and success rates—vary by species and by the storage and handling history of the seeds.

Outside horticulture, the term pitgroei is rarely used in English-language literature and may appear only in translations or specific Dutch texts. When encountered in broader contexts, it is important to clarify whether the reference concerns seed or embryo development within fruit pits, or a different, less common usage of the term.

See also: seed germination, seed dormancy, stratification, scarification, stone fruits.