Growing an apple tree »It's child's play

The difference between seedlings and vegetative propagation

In commercial horticulture, apple trees are usually grown so that the branches of a specific Apple variety by the Copulate is grafted onto a strong-growing base with well-developed roots. This method of propagation is also known as vegetative propagation, since it is the Offshoot and sometimes with the document are asexually propagated plants from cut branches. While vegetatively propagated apple trees bear the same fruits as the mother tree, a return to the wild form is possible with seedlings.

Sprout the apple cores properly

If you want to wait for the long waiting time while the seedlings are growing, you can also use ordinary apple pits as an exciting experiment in the garden Pulling apple tree. However, there are a few things to consider so that the seeds become small trees at all and can later survive in the local climate.

Select the seed

In the supermarkets in this country, varieties are sometimes offered that are not necessarily well suited for local cultivation. While Apple varieties Just as “Granny Smith” can sometimes not survive a harsh winter in Central Europe, apple pits from regional cultivation can be more promising. The tried and tested varieties traditionally grown in Central Europe include, for example:

• Alcmene
• Cox Orange Renette
• Gravensteiner
• Jonathan
• Red Boskoop

Prepare the seeds for germination

Apple seeds usually contain germ-inhibiting substances that are only broken down during fermentation processes. If you have access to the pressed remains of apples from must production, you will achieve better germination results with these than with kernels obtained directly from apples. Unless you leave the kernels outside in a pot for the winter, you will need to stratify them before germination. To do this, place the kernels in a container in the refrigerator between damp layers of kitchen paper for a period of two to four weeks. Only through this simulated winter will the kernels sprout satisfactorily.

Tips & Tricks

Apple trees grown from seeds follow their genetic makeup and are therefore usually very large. If you have a small apple tree you have to train it to a smaller stem by grafting it.