I picked some callery pears that I want to grow out for rootstock. Any advice on how to sprout them?
They need stratified to grow . Cool moist period for about 90 days . You can plant them now and let nature do it for you . They will sprout in spring . You can also refrigerate them . Moist but not soggy .
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They spread quite easily on their own, with the help of birds. Does that mean they passes through the bird and got an enzyme and acid bath? I wonder how important that is. What kind of luck could I expect if I planted the whole fruits in my rootstock bed? I would expect five seeds to a fruit. Depending on germination I may have to thin a bit or maybe without going through a digestive tract the germination may be poor.
They do not need to pass through a bird . I doubt they would pass through intact . Likely the birds drop the seed while eating the fruit . You can often find seedling gallery in roadside ditches . Planting the whole fruit should work fine . I have done this .