How to choose the right planting material and grow an apple tree from a seed

apple tree

Each of us, as a child, was interested in the question: “Will an apple tree grow from one seed?” After all, at first glance, this seems completely unrealistic. But experienced gardeners know how to grow an apple tree from seeds It is possible, but this process will be very labor-intensive.

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Preparing seeds for planting

Before planting apple seeds, they must be prepared first, otherwise they may not grow at all. Initially, the seeds removed from the apple should be thoroughly rinsed under running water. In this way, substances that interfere with their germination are removed from the seeds. Next, the bones are placed in a container of water and left in it for three days.

But you should remember that the water needs to be changed to fresh every day. On the last day, it is recommended to add a special growth stimulator to the water. The next stage of seed preparation is stratification (seed hardening). To do this, take a container with sawdust or wet sand, where the seeds are placed for several months.

This container should be kept in the refrigerator at all times. Periodically you need to check the condition of the sand, because it can dry out or become moldy. You can also use another method of piercing, which consists of landing seeds into open ground. This should be done at the end of summer so that by spring they swell and go through all the stages of hardening.

Selection of planting material

Apples

When extracting seeds from an apple, not all of them are suitable for planting. Therefore, in order to increase seed germination, it is worthwhile to carefully select planting material. You need to choose the strongest and most mature seeds. The maturity of apple seeds is determined by their color.

The more saturated it is, the more mature the seed will be. Testing for strength is carried out by touch. If the seeds are soft and loose, then they are not used as planting material. After selecting the seeds, they are thoroughly washed in a light container and placed on gauze, where they will dry.

Preparing the soil for sowing

The soil for sowing must be enriched with mineral additives. For every ten kilograms of garden soil you need to add the following components:

20g potassium sulfate
200 g wood ash
30 g superphosphate

Planting depth seeds into the ground is about fifteen millimeters. After planting the seeds, the entire area should be watered generously, being careful not to wash away the soil.

Advantages and disadvantages of growing apple trees from seeds

Apple tree

The first disadvantage of growing an apple tree from a seed is that the process itself is labor-intensive. During the first years of its life, a grown apple tree will need to be replanted several times. For the first time, transplantation is carried out from a nursery into a tall pot. Thus, the development of the central tap root occurs.

The second transplant occurs about a year later and the seedling is transplanted into an even larger pot. The third transplant involves planting in open ground. Carrying out such stages accelerates the growth of the apple tree. Among the advantages of this growing method, one can note the frost resistance of the varieties.The tree grows stronger than the parent variety and can live up to eighty years.

Planting and care

To plant an apple tree, choose a sunny area protected from the wind. Transplanting the seedling into the ground should be carried out in the second half of spring. For normal development of the seedling, it should be fertilized with mineral fertilizers. In the first year of a seedling’s life, it is not advisable to fertilize it with organic matter such as manure or bird droppings, as the young tree may get burned.

Also, from such fertilizing the tree can get a bacterial infection. The best fertilizer for young sprouts is an infusion of humus. With its help, the tree will develop better and foliage will appear on it faster. Caring for seedlings consists not only of fertilizing, but also of loosening and watering.

In the first days of a young sprout's life, watering should be plentiful, since the rhizome has not yet fully formed. Periodically it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil around the tree.

If it is dry, you should water it immediately. Today, apple trees grown from seeds can be used as an ornamental plant. Such Apple tree It will be compact and small, so it will fit perfectly into almost any interior. Since the apple tree is a deciduous plant, in winter it should be kept in a cool room at rest. Ornamental apple trees should be planted in late autumn, before the onset of frost.

Video about planting an apple tree using seeds:

ApplesApple tree