Here’s how to grow an apple tree from seeds for year-round use.

The apple is one of the most consumed fruits. Cake, compote or clafoutis, there is no shortage of recipes to taste this succulent fruit. In addition to its sweet and sour flavor, the health benefits of apples should not be overlooked. Additionally, we are well aware of the popular saying that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” To make the most of this fruit, discover how to grow an apple tree from a few seeds, for an organic harvest.

After biting into your apple, don’t throw away its seeds. They will serve as seeds to grow your apple tree and enjoy the sweet apples to the fullest. Choose, however, the seeds of an organic apple, to benefit from an apple tree free of all traces of pesticides. To grow your fruit tree, you have to go through stages.

How to grow an apple tree from seeds?

Read also:  6 mistakes you should not make when planting cucumbers

Step 1: Dry the Apple Seeds

Collect the seeds from your fruit and clean them well to remove the pulp and pulp from the fruit.

After cleaning the seeds, dry them with a cloth and place them outdoors to remove all traces of moisture.

Step 2: Germinate the seeds

Wrap your seeds in a damp paper towel or paper towel. Then place them in an airtight plastic bag or plastic box that you will put in the refrigerator  . It is important to provide the seeds with winter conditions, since it is during this period that they develop shoots and roots.  You can also germinate your seeds on damp cotton or Sopalin, instead of the paper towel.

The germination process takes time, so you should leave your seeds for at least 8 weeks in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that even if you have created an artificial winter for your seeds,   it is best to germinate them during the winter season so that you can sow them in early spring  , after frost, when the seeds come out of their dormancy. After germinating your seeds, you can move on to sowing.

Step 3: Sow the seeds

To do this, choose a pot that contains soil with a neutral pH. Make a hole slightly larger than the size of your seed in the soil. Since the young sprout is still fragile, be careful when placing your germinated seed in the hole. The germ must be below.

To stimulate the growth of your apple tree,   you can add only compost, without using fertilizer.  Then cover your seed with soil by gently tamping and watering the soil. Keep your pot at room temperature, in partial shade.  Apple trees appreciate the heat, but the sun could burn your fragile little apple tree.  After a few weeks, you will notice the appearance of the first leaves. Only then can you place your pot in full sun.

Step 4: Transplant the apple tree

When your apple tree has reached 10cm in height, take it outside. You can transplant it into a large pot, but preferably transplant your plant into the ground. Your apple tree will need space and sun. An apple tree needs   more than 6 hours of sun a day.  As for the soil, choose a substrate with a neutral pH, well drained and that retains water.

When your tree begins to grow roots in the soil, water it every 10 to 12 days. You can   space out watering as the tree grows.   However, if the climate is very dry, favor weekly or biweekly watering.

To have an apple tree and ensure that you also have fruit, it is recommended not to settle for the seeds of a single variety of apples, but to collect two different types of seeds to plant them together. In fact,   the apple tree is a self-sterile fruit tree  . Thus, the pollen of one species of apple tree is not enough to fertilize the flowers of this same apple tree and thus produce fruit. This is also the case with   other fruit trees   such as cherry, plum or pear.

apple tree care

It is not necessary to prune your young apple tree  , it will only delay fruiting, especially since the apple tree usually needs time to bear fruit. However, you can remove diseased or dead branches. Also remember to remove the buds to avoid having branches that will have to be pruned.

Read also:  Practical guide to planting lemon seeds in a pot

When your tree is big enough, give it some fertilizer in the spring to fertilize it. Avoid mixed fertilizers   used to both fertilize a tree and kill weeds.   This type is not suitable for apple trees.

These instructions will help you grow your apple tree at home to enjoy the taste of organic apples. You just have to be patient!