Growing an apple tree from a seed is possible, but it is not the recommended way to get a tree. It can take up to 10 years for a seed-grown apple tree to start bearing fruit, and the type of apple tree that you end up with may not be the same as the apple tree you started with. The tree may also be less hardy and more prone to disease. If you want to grow an apple tree, it is better to buy a young tree from a nursery.
Yes, you can grow an apple tree from a seed, but the odds of getting a tree that produces fruit that is edible to people are very low. Most of the time, the apple tree that grows from the seed will be a wild apple tree, which produces apples that are small, sour, and not very good for eating.
How long does it take to grow an apple tree from seed?
Apple trees are generally propagated through grafting, which is a process of combining a piece of a desired tree with the rootstock of another. This can be done either by joining them together with a splice or by inserting the scion into a prepared slit in the rootstock. It takes a long time to grow an apple tree from seed – usually between 7 and 10 years – so be patient! Once your tree matures, you’ll be able to tell if it’s producing good fruit.
You can grow an apple tree from the seeds inside the fruit you bought on your last grocery run. However, it’s not quite as simple as just scattering them across the ground in your yard. With the right care (and a lot of patience), it’s possible to cultivate your own fruit-producing tree.
How do you start an apple tree from seed
Did you know that if you grab an apple and take out one of the seeds, wet a paper towel, and more life doesn’t happen?
Apple seeds are easy to grow at home with the proper preparation. Seedlings are often more vigorous than their grafted nursery counterparts. Give an apple tree seedling 3-4 years, and it’ll catch up to and pass a potted transplant in size. From there, you have a tree that may bear for centuries.
Do you need 2 apple trees to produce fruit?
Apples are self-unfruitful, which means that they need to be cross-pollinated in order to produce fruit. Plant at least two different apple tree varieties within 50 feet of one another for a good fruit set. Some apple varieties, such as Golden Delicious, will produce a crop without cross-pollination from a second variety.
We need to have at least 3 dozens of apple seeds, because on average, only 1 out of 4 seeds will germinate and will manage to develop into a young tree finally. We first let the seeds dry and then we carefully wrap every 2-3 seeds into a wet towel.
Should I dry my apple seeds before planting?
If you want to germinate apple seeds collected from an apple, first let the seeds dry out for 3-4 weeks. Set the seeds on a piece of wax paper, etc., and roll them over every day or 2. After a month or so, the seeds lose that dark shine and get a lighter, dryer look. This is a good indication the seeds have dried well.
Apple seeds need a period of chilling, or stratification, before they begin to sprout, so place the container in the refrigerator for at least two to three weeks – even up to a month or more. Then watch and wait. When seeds begin to sprout, carefully transfer them to pots filled with good potting mix.
Should apple seeds be soaked before planting
Soak the seeds in a bowl face of cool water for an hour. Use as many seeds as you have as the germination rate is only likely to be a third to half of them so they aren’t all going to sprout.
Germinating Honeycrisp apple tree seeds indoors before planting is a great way to get a jump start on the growing season. To do this, simply place the seeds in a shallow bed of peat moss and keep them moist in a warm room for about four weeks. Once the seeds have germinated, they can be planted at any time of the year.
Which apples grow true from seed?
Apples are a type of fruit that does not reproduce true to type. This means that the tree grown from a specific variety of seed will produce apples that are almost certain to be different than the parent. You can have fun and experiment with different varieties, but don’t expect to have the same fruit. Also, almost all varieties are unable to pollinate themselves.
It is exciting to find seeds that have germinated inside of an apple. This condition is known as vivipary- the sprouting of seeds while they are still attached to the mother plant. This is a rare event, but it does happen on occasion. If you find an apple with germinated seeds, be sure to save the seeds and plant them. You never know, you might just get a new apple tree!
Do you need two apple trees to germinate
Different apple tree varieties require cross-pollination from a different variety in order to produce fruit. This means that you will need to have at least two different types of apple trees planted close together in order for them to pollinate each other. However, there are some varieties of apple trees that are self-pollinating and do not require another tree for pollination.
Chill hours are the number of hours that temperatures are below 45 degrees F during the winter. The apple tree needs hundreds of chill hours per season to thrive and bear fruit.
Watering young trees require a lot of water – 2 inches of water every week.
Fertilizing with the right amount of nutrients is important for young trees.
Mulch helps trees retain moisture and protects them from temperature extremes.
Pruning young trees helps to shape them and encourages strong growth.
Can you grow an apple tree indoors?
Fruit trees can most definitely be grown indoors! However, it is best to purchase dwarf varieties and the most mature trees available in order to expedite the process. Most fruit trees need bright, full sun for 6-8 hours a day throughout the year in order to produce fruit.
If you’re looking to grow an apple tree in your backyard, a Fuji apple tree is a great option! Fuji apples are the most popular type of apple in America, and they’re known for being sweet and juicy with a crisp bite. They’re also easy to grow, and produce sizable fruit. However, Fuji apples brown easily, so they might not have the longest shelf life compared to other types of apples.
Conclusion
Yes, you can grow an apple tree from a seed.
Yes, you can grow an apple tree from a seed. However, it is important to note that apple seeds will only grow into apple trees if they are planted in the right conditions and cared for properly.
