How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seeds: Challenges and Solutions

Introduction

The Red Delicious apple, a favorite among many, is rarely the type of apple that you can grow from a home-grown seed. The seeds from store-bought apples have already likely been cross-pollinated and may not produce the same apples as their parent. This makes it more challenging to grow a true Red Delicious tree from seeds. Instead, it is better to seek out other apple varieties like Coxs Orange Pippin or Brabourne, which are known for their distinct flavors.

Why Growing from Seeds Isn't Always a Good Idea

The Unpredictability of Seeds

Seeds from apples are not guaranteed to produce the same type of fruit when grown. Home-grown seeds may produce a completely different variety of apple due to natural cross-pollination. For instance, an average apple grown on its own roots can grow into a large tree that won't produce fruit for up to a decade, and the fruit may not be palatable. Additionally, the tree can grow up to ten meters tall, which is quite cumbersome to manage and can be difficult to harvest.

Commercial Grafting

Commercial apple trees are typically grafted with branches from the desired tree variety. This grafting process involves attaching a scion (a small shoot from the desired apple tree) to a rootstock (a root system that determines the tree's size and fruiting time). This method ensures that the resulting tree will produce the desired variety of apple. The rootstock also helps control the growth of the tree and the time it takes to produce fruit.

Alternative Methods to Grow Desired Apple Varieties

Planting Pips in Pots

While planting apple pips in a pot can be an interesting experiment, it is not recommended for those who desire a specific apple variety. If you do decide to plant pips, follow these steps:

Place pips in a moist, well-draining soil mixture in a pot. Cover the pips with a thin layer of soil and place the pot in a warm spot. Transfer the sapling to the ground once it has grown.

Be aware that the resulting tree may not produce the desired apple variety. It can take years for the tree to produce fruit, and the fruit may not be palatable. Additionally, if the tree turns out to be unsuitable, you may need to cut it down and remove the stump.

Joel's Tips on Growing Apple Trees

My grandfather had an apple tree in their backyard that produced six different varieties. My favorite was the one used for pies because my grandmother made awesome apple pies. Growing apple trees from seeds is a lengthy process and requires patience, as the tree can take up to a decade to produce fruit. It's important to consider grafting if you want to grow a specific type of apple.

Ideas for Achieving Your Goals

Grafting: Learn the art of grafting to allow you to create trees that produce the exact variety of apples you desire. Grafting is a technique that involves attaching a branch or scion from one apple tree to the rootstock of a different tree. Baby Grafted Apple Trees: Purchase a young grafted tree from a commercial nursery. These trees are already grown with specific apple varieties, making it easier to achieve the desired fruit. Cuttings and Nursery Services: If you have an unknown variety of an apple tree in your yard, you can take cuttings and send them to a commercial nursery. They can graft the cuttings onto rootstocks and sell you a young, grafted tree.

Conclusion

Growing an apple tree from seeds can be a fascinating project, but for those seeking a specific and desired variety, it's best to rely on techniques like grafting and purchasing grafted saplings. Experimenting with different apple varieties can lead to some delightful surprises, but patience and careful planning are key.