Do it yourself: how to grow an apple tree seedling from a seed

The valuable qualities of varietal apple trees are usually not passed on to their offspring grown from seed. However, this method can easily produce an excellent wild apple suitable for grafting, or an ornamental tree. However, there are also varieties that offer the chance of producing a fully developed cultivated plant that will bear fruit and boast the best qualities of its species.

Is it possible to grow an apple tree from a seed at home?

Keep in mind that an apple tree you grow yourself from a seed will take significantly longer to reach adulthood than a one- or two-year-old seedling planted in the ground. Naturally, fruiting will also begin much later in this case. The process of growing a real tree from a tiny seed is very exciting, giving you the opportunity to feel like a creator of something new.

The pros and cons of this activity

Besides the warm emotions a person experiences when contemplating the fruits of his labor, there are other positive aspects of this activity.

Selection of planting material

To germinate young plants from seeds at home, select the best fruits, discarding unripe and small apples. The most complete seeds will come from fruits that ripen in areas with the best conditions for flower fertilization.

The cycle of work carried out from the germination of a seed to an adult plant

In fact, the work of growing an apple tree from a seed to a mature tree is very interesting and painstaking.

Seed preparation

To germinate a young shoot at home, it's important to use freshly harvested seeds, not ones that have been stored for several years. The optimal carrier for high-quality seed is a large, regularly shaped, color-stable, and fully ripe fruit. It should be free of any deformations or defects.

When removing apple seeds, look only for whole, undamaged, and uniformly colored seeds. Each one should have a greenish tip, indicating it's ready to germinate. Be sure to stock up on extra seeds in case of poor germination, rodent attacks, or the appearance of harmful mold.

Washing

First of all, you should do a rinse seedsTo do this, place the selected material in a sieve and hold it under running warm water for a long time to help the seeds remove all residual substances. This process should last at least five minutes. The seeds should be stirred constantly with a wooden spatula.

Soak

This procedure will help identify obviously defective grains, as it promotes their swelling. After all, bad seeds simply won't absorb the liquid, but will float on the surface.

Porcelain, clay, or glass containers are best for soaking. Place the washed seeds in the container, cover with room-temperature, settled water, and leave for four days. Change the water daily to prevent spoilage. On the final day, add a growth stimulant, following the instructions on the package.

Stratification

Next comes the stratification procedure for the planting material. This involves artificially creating a home environment that mimics natural winter conditions. During this time, the seeds will be exposed to low temperatures and high humidity. The purpose of this procedure is to harden and increase the germination rate of the apple seeds, as well as to awaken them from dormancy earlier.

Stratification of apple seeds at home is carried out as follows:

1. The washed and soaked material is placed in a hermetically sealed container; jars, containers, or even zip-lock bags will do.
2. Moisturized sand or a sand-peat mixture is added to it.
3. The ratio of substrate to seeds is 3 to 1. soil It must be sterile to reduce the risk of spoilage of the material and minimize the chances of fungal infections.
4. It is also recommended to add fungicides to the mixture.
5. Next, the container is placed in fridge for up to 3 months at a temperature not exceeding +3 degrees.

The stratification procedure can be performed in the plants' natural habitat with the same results. No additional equipment is required. It's carried out as follows:

1. The material prepared in the fall is thoroughly washed.
2. In this case, the soaking procedure can be skipped, since the necessary moisture is usually already present in the soil.
3. The seeds are planted in open ground to a depth of no more than 5 cm and left for the winter.
4. It is recommended to lightly cover the area from above with dry grass.
5. In the spring, the resulting seedlings should be planted in prepared containers with soil and top dressing.

Caring for young shoots

After hardening in refrigerator Growing an apple tree from a seed in the ground or in open ground continues in a pot, box, or container. These should be equipped with drainage holes to allow excess moisture to drain. Drainage should be placed at the bottom of the container; pebbles, expanded clay, or even pieces of broken brick work well for this purpose. Next comes a layer of soil mixture, prepared as follows: 30 g of superphosphate, 20 g of potassium sulfate, and 200 g of ash are added to 10 kg of fertile black soil.

Young shoots are transferred to prepared containers, 2-3 sprouts per container. Next, proceed as follows:

• seedlings are carefully but generously watered, preventing the soil from washing away;
• containers with plants are moved to the windowsill on the south side of the house;
• the soil in the pots must be periodically moistened;
• If weakened seedlings are identified, they are rejected;
• After living in a pot for 12 months, young plants are transplanted into more spacious containers, trimming the roots and bending them at a right angle;
• The third transplant is carried out when the previous container becomes too small for the young seedlings.

Seedlings grown from seeds are delicate and fragile. Therefore, they need to be kept indoors until they are four years old to allow their root system to develop.

Selecting a site for planting

Once the young trees have reached a viable stage for independent growth, we begin selecting a site for transplanting them into open ground. Optimal locations are those protected from cold, frost, and wind, but with good light. Land along a fence or outbuilding is ideal. Also, the site should be out of reach of animals that could destroy the young shoots. To avoid unforeseen situations, it is recommended to fence around the seedlings. And don't forget to use protective covering materials in winter.

Transferring seedlings to soil

Spring planting in open ground is considered the most suitable for a young tree, as during the warm season it will have time to adapt to open ground conditions and transition to winter as easily as possible.

We prepare the planting holes. For this, we mix the excavated soil with humus, mineral components, and wood ash. If planting occurs in the fall due to conditions, nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided.

We move the young trees into prepared, watered holes and fill them with potting soil. The soil around the seedlings should be moistened once a week, as drying out the root system at this stage of development can be fatal to the plant.

Recommendations for further care

As follow-up care, the following actions should be taken:

1. Don't forget to loosen the soil in a timely manner so that oxygen can freely penetrate to the roots of the tree.
2. During the growing season, don't forget to fertilize with nitrogen fertilizers. In August, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers should be applied, which will help slow down foliage growth and improve bark maturation.
3. For the first four years after transplanting into open ground, trees require insulation every autumn. Agrofibre is best for this purpose; it retains heat well and allows moisture and air to pass through.

Growing an apple tree from seed at home requires consistent adherence to all the basic requirements. The resulting seedlings may be radically different from the parent tree. However, this is a benefit of selective breeding, as you can develop a completely new and unusual variety.