How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seed

 

According to most experienced fruits gardeners growing an apple plant tree from seed are a rewarding gardening project that actually teaches patience and care. Even though apple plant trees that are grown from seed may not produce fruit identical to the parent apple, the trees can still become healthy, beautiful trees that may eventually bear delicious apples. The process of growing apple tree from seeds takes time, but watching the tiny apple plant seed develop into a tree is really an exciting experience for any gardener who loves fruit gardens.

Can You Actually Plant an Apple Tree from Seed?

The answer is yes, you can actually plant an apple tree from seed, although there are a few vital things you need to understand before you start:

·  The apple plant seeds do germinate and they grow into trees.

·  The apple trees that are grown from seed are genetically dissimilar from the parent tree.

·  Also the fruit may actually taste different from the original apple.

·  It can actually take about six to ten years before the apple plant tree produces fruit.

·  Some of the seed-grown apple trees can produce excellent apples, while others cannot.

A lot of commercial apple orchards actually use grafted trees because they produce predictable fruit faster. Though, growing apple tree from seed is fun, also inexpensive, and educational.

Choosing the Apple Plant Seeds

You can easily start with the apple fresh seeds from healthy apples. You can also use the apple plant seeds from store-bought apples or the apples from a local orchard. It is actually best to collect the apple plant seeds from some apples because not every apple seed that will germinate properly.

The following are the popular apples that often provide viable seeds:

·  Honeycrisp apple

·  Fuji apple

·  Gala apple

·  Granny Smith apple

·  Red Delicious apple

Make sure you remove the apple seeds carefully and then rinse them with water in other to remove any fruit residue.

Also read: How to Grow Strawberries From Seed

Preparing the Apple Plant Seeds

The apple plant seeds really require a cold treatment which is called stratification before they can germinate properly. In nature the apple plant seeds actually experience winter conditions before sprouting in spring.

Step 1: Dry the Apple Plant Seeds

You need to place the apple seeds on a paper towel and then allow them to dry for 1 day or 2.

Step 2: Prepare The Apple Seeds for Stratification

Start by moistening a paper towel or a peat moss until it is damp but not soaking wet. Then place the apple plant seeds inside and then fold the towel around them.

You need to put the wrapped apple seeds into a sealed plastic bag or in a container.

Step 3: Refrigerate the Apple Plant Seeds

You can easily store the bag in the refrigerator for about six to eight weeks. The ideal temperature is about thirty-four to forty degree Fahrenheit.

You really need to check occasionally to make sure the towel remains slightly moist and that mold is not forming.

Some of the apple seeds might begin to sprout while still in the refrigerator.

Planting the Already Germinated Apple Seeds

Once the apple plant seeds sprout tiny white roots, it means they are ready to be planted.

Choosing Right Pot For Planting

You can use small pots or seed trays that have drainage holes. Then you need to fill them with a good high-quality seed-starting mix or light potting soil.

The Apple Seeds Planting Depth

Make sure you plant each of the apple seed about half inch deep with the root pointing downward.

Then cover them lightly with soil and then water them gently.

Light and Temperature Requirement

You need to place the pots in a warm, sunny location. The apple plant seedlings actually need:

·  About six to eight hours of sunlight daily

·  Temperatures that is between sixty-five to seventy-five degree Fahrenheit

Don’t forget that a sunny windowsill or grow light works well for the plant indoors.

Caring for The Apple Plant Seedlings

Water Requirement

Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Avoid overwatering, this can actually cause root rot.

You can easily water them whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry.

Fertilizer Requirement

Immediately the apple plant seedlings develop some true leaves you can easily feed them lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks.

Make sure you avoid over-fertilizing because the young apple plant seedlings are sensitive.

Good Air Circulation

Provide good airflow, this will really help to prevent fungal diseases. Make sure you avoid overcrowding the apple seedlings.

Transplanting the Apple Plant Seedlings

When the apple plant seedlings are about six to twelve inches tall, they may really need a good larger containers.

Moving the Apple Seedlings to Bigger Pots

Make sure you carefully transplant each of the apple plant seedlings into a larger pot that is filled with nutrient-rich soil.

Make sure you handle the plant roots gently to avoid damage.

Hardening Off Seedlings

Before you actually move the apple plant seedlings outdoors permanently you need to harden them off gradually.

You can place them outside for a few hours daily over seven to ten days, and then slowly increase the exposure to sunlight and outdoor conditions.

Choosing the Right Planting Location For The Apple Tree

The Apple plant trees really need a proper growing condition in other to thrive.

Sunlight Requirement

Make sure you choose a location with full sun. The apple plant trees actually need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.

Soil Requirement

The apple plant trees actually prefer:

·  A good well-draining soil

·  A slightly acidic to neutral pH

·  A soil that is rich in organic matter

Make sure you avoid areas where water collects after rain.

Spacing Apple Trees

The apple plant trees can grow quite large. You need to plant them at least fifteen to twenty feet away from buildings or other trees.

Growing The Apple Tree Outdoors

You need dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant root ball and then deep enough for the plant roots to spread naturally.

Place the apple plant seedling in the hole and then backfill with soil. Make sure you water thoroughly after planting.

You can easily add mulch around the base of the apple plant tree to help retain moisture and also reduce weeds, but make sure you keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

Watering The Young Apple Plant Trees

The young apple plant trees really require regular watering during the first few years of their growth.

·  Make sure you water them deeply once or twice weekly during dry weather.

·  Make sure you avoid shallow daily watering.

·  The mature apple plant trees can become more drought-tolerant.

A layer of mulch can really help to keep the soil moist.

Fertilizing The Apple Plant Trees

You can easily feed the young apple plant trees in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.

Make sure you don’t apply excessive nitrogen because it can encourage leaf growth instead of fruit production.

According to most experience gardeners organic compost also improves soil quality naturally.

Pruning the Apple Plant Tree

Pruning the apple plant trees help to create a strong structure and also improves air circulation.

The First-Year Apple Tree Pruning

You can carefully remove the weak or damaged branches. You can easily select one main central stem to become the trunk.

The Ongoing Apple Tree Pruning

You can actually prune annually during late winter or early spring before the new apple plant tree growth starts.

Just remove:

·  The dead apple tree branches

·  The crossing apple tree branches

·  The diseased wood

·  The water sprouts

A proper apple plant tree pruning really encourages healthy fruit production later.

Pollination and Apple Tree Fruit Production

A lot of apple plant trees actually need another apple variety nearby for pollination. Without pollination the apple tree fruit production can actually be poor.

If you want apples eventually you can actually consider planting more than one apple tree or you can have nearby apple trees or crabapple trees.

Because the seed-grown apple plant trees are genetically exceptional, their flowering times may actually vary.

Also read: How to Grow Artichokes From Seed

Common Problems Of Apple Trees

Pests On Apple Trees

The Apple plant trees may attract:

·  Caterpillars

·  Apple maggots

·  Spider mites

·  Aphids

You need to inspect the apple tree leaves regularly and then treat infestations early.

Diseases On Apple Tree

Some of the common apple tree diseases are:

·  Powdery mildew disease

·  Fire blight disease

·  Apple scab disease

Make sure there is good airflow, water the apple tree properly, and also make sure you prune the apple tree regularly, all these will help to prevent many diseases.