Apple trees are one of the most popular trees that can be found around the world and the fruits produced by this tree have great tastes.
This tree belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) and they are over 7000 varieties of this plant and this plant originates from central Asia and the fruits produced by this tree are very nutritional and beneficial to humans.
Apple trees are known for their ability to grow quite beautifully and in the wild, this plant is known to have the ability to survive for about a hundred (100) years and this makes it a plant that is worth it.
Apple trees are of different kinds; there are dwarf and wild apples and they do vary in their size and height as well as fruit production.
The dwarf variety of apple trees have the ability to grow to a height of 6 to 15 feet while the wild variety can reach a height of 30 feet and when planted – they are known to require a very large space to occupy their spread.
As popular as the apple tree is; one thing to note when you decide to plant this tree is that it undergoes cross-pollination i.e. it cannot be pollinated alone, therefore, making this plant in need of another apple tree.
Therefore, if your aim is to get fruits from this tree; when planting an apple tree make sure to plant another type that will help in its pollination.
The apple trees do possess leaves that are oval-shaped and dark green in color and this plant does exhibit 4 to 6 individual pinkish-white flowers and the leaves are arranged alternately on the branches.
Apple trees are highly productive plants and the fruits produced by this tree come in different lovely colors which include yellow, green, and brown and this plant is most popular in China where they account for a production of 69 million tons annually.
Growing your own apple tree can bring you a feeling of achievement so you should think about growing your own plant from seeds. In this article, we will take you through the steps involved in growing apple trees – Have a nice time reading!
How to Grow Apple trees from Seed
Apple trees can either be grown from seeds or through artificial propagation (grafting), however, in this article we will help you with a step-by-step guide on how to grow your own apple tree from its seeds.
Apple trees can be a very big investment for anyone who has them around so you should think about having your own – It is very easy to engage in. Below are the steps involved in planting apple trees:
Collect two different kinds of seeds:
Generally, apple trees require cross-pollination to produce fruit; and in the absence of this it becomes very difficult for the plant to produce fruits.
When you decide to grow your own apple tree either in your yard or garden, always choose plants seeds that are of different kinds and varieties. For the best outcome, choose varieties that thrive best in your climate zone.
NB: when growing apple trees from seeds, it is possible to have a matured plant that is different from the mother plant – just have that in mind.
Spread seeds out to dry:
Every remnant on the seeds should be gotten rid of and the seeds should be laid out to dry. Seeds perform well when they are well dried and allowing them to dry in air will work perfectly well. Just make sure there is no moisture on the outer shell of the seed.
Cover the seeds with a damp paper towel:
The seeds should be placed on a white paper towel and covered with another before being placed in a container that can be sealed. Containers such as a jar with lids, sealable bags, etc. that can contain air should be used to hold the seed.
Place the seeds in the fridge:
This process involves providing apple seeds with the normal environmental condition which allows for helping to break the dormancy of the seeds and create a simulated winter for that singular purpose.
The temperature for storing the seeds should be between 4.4 and 10 degrees Centigrade and they should be allowed to stand for about 70 to 80 days. During this controlled period, the seeds will begin to grow roots.
Keep the towel stays damp at all times:
The apple seeds are to be checked regularly i.e. daily and you must ensure that you water it and make sure it is damp at all times. Note that the seed will not start to germinate at this stage.
Prepare your potting soil:
After subjecting your plant to cold and after the observation of roots, the next thing to do is prepare the soil for growing the seeds.
Fill a pot (well-draining) with a soil that has a neutral pH and you should create a hole in the soil which is about twice the size of the seed. Avoid adding fertilizers – apple trees do well in normal soil (not too poor or too rich).
Place the seeds in the hole:
The hole made at the center of the potting soil should be filled with seeds and properly covered. Make sure that the soil is carefully patted and keep the soil watered to ensure that the soil is moist. This will also ensure the settling of the soil around the seed.
Keep under room temperature:
After carefully placing the seeds in the pot, the next thing to do is choose an environment that will support the seeds’ germination.
The pot should be placed under room temperature and the pot should have access to sunlight for quite a reasonable period of time in the day. Just make sure the plant gets enough sunlight exposure during the day.
Water regularly:
Your seedling should be provided with water at all times and the soil must be moist always. This will enhance the proper growth and development of the plant. Avoid overwatering and do not allow the soil to dry out for too long.
Watch out for growth:
After weeks of planting the seeds in the soil, the next thing to do is watch out for possible growth of seedlings. Once you observe the growth of leaves, you should expose them to more sunlight to enhance their development.
The plant should be left in the pot or container until they are very strong and can withstand environmental stress without any form of support.
Allow the plant to reach a considerable height before transplanting outside. Once it is about time to transplant, make sure to acclimate your apple seedling from time to time.
Site selection:
When selecting a site for growing apple trees outdoors there are certain factors that you need to pay close attention to. The site to be chosen must be well-draining and capable of holding moisture for quite a while. The spot must always get sunlight of at least six hours daily since apple trees thrive well under full sunlight.
When choosing a spot, make sure that the plant is not grown in a spot that is too close to another tree and they should be planted at least 30 feet to another plant. Growing your plant in a large space will give your plant the chance to grow better and spread well.
Ensure that the environment is favorable for transplanting:
Before transplanting apple trees, it is very important to note that the environmental condition of the site of choice is favorable for plant growth. Also, the seedling must have reached an easily observable height.
If you are in a warm environment, planting during fall is highly recommended while those who live in a cold region should plant in spring when the frost has passed.
Get rid of weeds:
Weeds that are present around the growing sit should be gotten rid of as much as possible. Weeds present around 4-foot of the planting site should be gotten rid of. The site should be free of weeds so as to avoid any unnecessary competition.
Dig a hole for transplanting:
You should dig a hole which is twice the diameter of the seedlings root system and it should be about 2 feet deep. The soil on the walls of the hole should be loosened well as this will enhance the penetration of the root. Make sure that the prepared hole will support the movement of the root with ease.
Transplant the seedling:
Remove the apple seedling with the root ball still intact; note that the root system grows in a cyclic manner in pots and needs to be opened up before transplanting.
You should carefully open up the root ball and allow the root to spread out so as to ensure the proper movement of the root in the soil.
Carefully place the seedling in the hole and spread out the roots before covering with soil. Make sure to pat the soil well to avoid the presence of soil pockets.
Water the tree well:
The apple tree should be carefully watered so as to eliminate air pockets. After properly watering, mulches can be added to the base of the plant to retain soil moisture. Mulching will also help prevent the growth of weeds and prevent any form of competition.
Conclusion
Growing apple trees is very easy to carry out and with the right steps being followed you can be assured of the best result possible. Just make sure to provide the necessary condition that will enhance the development of the apple tree.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
