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Growing apple tree from seed is possible, but it takes time, patience and knowledge to grow a healthy tree. Here’s a guide on how to grow an apple tree from seed.
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Introduction
Apples are a type of fruit that grows on trees. The tree produces the fruit which is typically eaten fresh or made into pies, applesauce, or other foods. Some people also like to cider. You can grow your own apple tree from a seed. This is a guide on how to grow an apple tree from seed.
What You Will Need
1. Apples
2. Knife
3. Paper towels
4. Ziploc baggie
5. Potting mix
6. Pot
7. Water
Step One: Prepare the Seeds
To grow an apple tree from seed, you’ll need start with a fresh apple that hasn’t been treated with any chemicals. Eat the apple, but save the seeds! You can plant as many or as few as you’d like, but know that it takes quite a few seeds to actually grow a tree – on average, only about one in every 2,000 seeds will actually sprout and grow into a tree.
To plant your apple tree seeds, fill a pot (that has drainage holes) with moistened potting mix. Place 2-3 seeds on top of the mix and then cover them with another layer of moistened mix. Place the pot in a warm area – a sunny windowsill is perfect – and keep the mix moist (but not soggy) by watering as needed.
It can take up to 6 weeks for your seeds to germinate, but be patient! Once they do sprout, thin out the seedlings so that only the strongest one remains. transplant your young tree into a larger pot or outdoors in early spring.
Step Two: Plant the Seeds
Now that you have your apple seeds, it’s time to plant them. You can plant them directly in the ground or in pots. If you live in an area with a short growing season, it’s best to start your seeds indoors so they have a head start.
To plant the seeds, fill a planting container with moist potting mix. Place 2-3 seeds in each container and cover them with a thin layer of potting mix. Water the seeds and place the container in a warm, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Once the seeds germinate and grow into seedlings, thin them so that only the strongest seedling remains in each container. When the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots filled with potting mix. Once they are big enough to plant outdoors, transplant them into your garden or landscape.
Step Three: Water and Fertilize
Water your apple tree seedling deeply, using a soaker hose or watering can, once a week in the spring and summer. The soil should be moist but not soggy; if it is soggy, the roots will rot. Apply a thin layer of compost around the seedling once a year in the springtime.
Step Four: Prune and Train
The first year you should prune your apple tree to allow light and air into the center of the tree. This will also help shape the future tree. Do this in late winter or early spring.
Cut off any dead or damaged limbs first. Then cut away any crossing limbs. Finally, cut back the tips of the remaining branches by one-third to one-half their length.
The second year you should focus on training your apple tree. This is done by staking the main trunk and attaching the branches to the stake with plant ties. This will help keep the center of the tree open and prevent strong winds from damaging your tree.
Step Five: Harvest the Apples
Once your tree blooms and the apple fruits start to grow, you will need to be patient for awhile before you can harvest them. Depending on the variety of apple tree, it can take anywhere from 2-5 years for the tree to mature enough to produce a good crop of apples.
When the apples are ready to harvest, they will detach easily from the tree when you lightly twist them. Be careful not to pull too hard or you may damage the apple or the tree branch. Once you have harvested all the apples that are ready, enjoy your homegrown fruit!
