Growing Apple Trees from Seeds: A Comprehensive Guide for Gardners

Have you ever wondered if an apple seed can grow into an apple tree? Yes, if you plant an apple seed, it can indeed germinate and grow into a tree. However, there are several important factors to consider and steps to follow to ensure successful growth. This guide is designed for those interested in growing apple trees from seeds, including strategies for grafting and detailed instructions on how to grow apple trees from seeds.

Understanding Growth from Seeds

Awesome! Yes, planting an apple seed can indeed grow into an apple tree, but it’s essential to understand that apple trees grown from seeds may not produce fruit identical to the parent tree. Most apple varieties are hybrids, and seeds may result in a tree with different characteristics. To get more of the same apple, the recommended method is grafting a cutting from the original tree onto another apple tree.

Despite the challenges, growing apple trees from seeds can be a rewarding process, especially if you enjoy the journey of nurturing a plant from its early stages.

Apple Trees from Seeds vs. Grafting

Genetics and Hybrid Characteristics

Most apple varieties are the result of hybridization, which means that they do not come true from seed. In other words, the apple that the seed comes from may not be the same as the apples produced by the tree that grows from that seed. If you want to ensure you get the specific apple variety you desire, consider grafting a cutting from the original tree onto another apple tree.

Steps to Grow Apple Trees from Seeds

Extracting and Preparing Seeds

Begin by extracting apple seeds from the cores of several apples. Most apple trees grown by farmers or gardeners come from grafted trees. To increase your chances of getting an edible apple, plant multiple seeds. Prepare the seeds during the fall, which means by the beginning of spring, they will be ready for planting.

Drying and Testing Seeds: Dry the seeds on a paper towel. To check the seeds' viability, add them to a bowl of water. Seeds that float are less likely to grow, so throw them away. Lay the seeds on the paper towel and allow them to dry for three to four weeks. Flip the seeds every second day to ensure even drying. Mix the seeds with peat moss after a few days of drying. Pour a few tablespoons of peat moss on the paper towel and sprinkle a few drops of water, then mix using your hands.

Place the seeds and peat moss in a bag, zip up the bag, and write the date on it. Refrigerate the bag for about three months to perform stratification, which softens the hard outer coat of the seed and encourages the embryo inside to germinate.

Planting Seeds Outside

In the spring, prepare the ground by removing any weeds, pulling the weeds out by the roots, and removing any large rocks or stones. Break up any large clumps of soil and choose an area in the garden that receives direct sunlight and has rich, well-draining soil.

Planting: Spread compost over the soil to enrich it. Create a furrow in the soil and plant each seed 12 inches apart, covering them with soil and adding a layer of sand on top to protect them from cold weather.

Planting Seeds Indoors

After three months in the refrigerator, it’s time to plant the seeds indoors in pots to start growth. Fill degradable pots with potting soil, leaving one inch at the top. Poke two one-inch holes in the soil of each pot, place two seeds in each hole about three inches apart, and cover them with soil.

Watering and Caring for Seedlings: Water the soil in each pot and keep the pots in a warm, sunny location in the house, preferably in a greenhouse. Water the pots twice a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not overwatered.

Preparing the Garden for Transplanting

In the fall, when the seeds are dormant, clear an area of the garden of weeds, large rocks, and add a one-inch layer of compost to enrich the soil. Prepare the garden for transplanting by digging holes in the soil, placing the pots in the holes, and carefully removing the pots to speed up the process of integrating the plant into the soil.

Final Care: Replace the soil and water the plant and soil generously. Consider adding a one-inch thick layer of sand over the soil if you live in a cold climate, as sand helps prevent the ground from crushing over in colder weather.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow apple trees from seeds. While the process may seem challenging, it offers a unique experience in nurturing your own apple trees. Remember to be patient, as it can take several years for the seed-grown apple tree to mature and produce fruit. Proper care, including adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, is crucial for the successful growth of the tree.