Can You Grow an Apple Tree From Seed?
Eat an apple and you’ll find a bunch of seeds inside! Plant these seeds, and apple trees will grow. But, how long will it take for them to grow apples? The answer may surprise you. Join former nurseryman Jerad Bryant in answering the question: Can you grow an apple tree from seed?
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The answer is yes! You can grow an apple tree from seed. A more fitting question is, should you grow an apple sapling from seed?
Apple seeds sprout trees that develop differently from the parent. They may have different fruit, growth habits, or flower colors than the original tree from which you picked the apple. They can also take many more years to produce fruit than potted trees at your local nursery.
Though you can grow an apple tree from seed, it may not be the best option. Other apple-growing methods are more reliable and less time-consuming. Consider all your options first before planting your brown apple seeds.
The Short Answer
Yes, you can grow an apple tree from seed! Seeds are nature’s way of propagating new plants. They have all the energy, nutrients, and information necessary for a plant to germinate and mature.
Seeds contain a mix of information; unlike cuttings, which create clones of the original plant, they sprout new hybrids of existing apples. Try planting them if you have the patience to grow them and the curiosity to see what they sprout into. If you’re looking for a quick way to grow apples, consider finding a potted tree from a nursery or online.
The Long Answer
Take a few apple seeds and scatter them about. You’ll be a present-day version of Johnny Appleseed! Though most of them won’t grow into delicious apple-bearing trees, some seeds may form new varieties with delicious apples.
The varieties we know and love today come from apple trees that growers stumbled upon in the past. When you plant random seeds, there’s a chance you’ll find new hybrids with valuable traits. If you have the time, resources, and free space to cultivate multiple saplings, then growing these fruits from seed may be the perfect project for you.
Apple Genetics
Apple trees have interesting characteristics that set them apart from other plants. Unlike tomatoes, which have self-pollinating flowers, most apple flowers require cross-pollination to set fruit and seeds. You’ll have to plant one or two separate varieties nearby so that each apple tree receives sufficient pollen from the others.
When pollen from one tree lands in the flower of another, it creates a new blend of genetic material. The new combination influences the traits of the saplings that sprout. Some may grow tall and narrow, while others may have wide and short statures. In other words, apples don’t sprout true from seeds.
The most variable aspect of growing these fruits from seed is the fruits themselves; you may find your saplings grow tiny, bitter, or wonky apples instead of round, red, and delicious ones. Furthermore, the saplings may have disease and pest resistance, or they may be susceptible to these pressures.
The only way to know what will happen is to plant some seeds and grow them to maturity. Starting small is a great way to begin. Rather than planting dozens of them, plant two or three and care for them with consistency and attention. Who knows—you may discover the next best apple variety!
It’ll Take Time
The lengthy growing process prevents most gardeners from planting apple tree seeds. In ideal conditions, these trees take four to five years to bear fruit. The ones you plant now may not grow apples for many years! You’ll need patience, perseverance, and persistence to cultivate them successfully.
Apple saplings at nurseries are propagated through grafting or cuttings. These trees need a few years, typically between one and three, before they’re ready to bear fruit. They’re better options if you want a specific variety, and if you want apples now.
If you’re willing to wait, why not plant some apples? Save seeds from your favorite varieties for a chance at growing the same qualities. Pick them from store-bought apples, apples on your neighbors’ trees, or fruits on a wild tree you found.
How to Plant Apple Seeds
When you finally decide that yes, you do want to grow apples from seed, you’ll need proper materials and instructions to do so. These seeds require special treatment to sprout. They’re like those of lupine—they need to undergo cold stratification before they germinate.
Cold stratification is a temporary period that encourages seeds to germinate. It is typically necessary for species that grow in cold, temperate climates with winter frosts. To cold-stratify the seeds, plant them outdoors in the fall or store them in your fridge for three to four months. Keep them moist, but not soggy, the entire time.
After the cold period, the seeds will sprout in spring as the days lengthen and warm. Maintain consistent moisture and let them root well in their containers. Then, transplant the seedlings to their final locations after they reach between one and three feet tall.
Aftercare
Apples grow well in many states, so long as you pick a good variety for your region. For best results, plant seeds from apples that grow locally. These may have traits that make them good candidates for growing in your garden. For example, local seeds may have heat resistance in their genes if you live in a hot region.
As they age, the specimens need consistent moisture, full sun, and regular airflow to thrive. Water them regularly during the summertime, and prune taller plants to let more sun in shady gardens.
Apples benefit from annual pruning in late winter and early spring. Cut tall branches to keep your tree within arm’s length for easy harvesting. Remove criss-crossing stems, diseased wood, and dead branches.
