Apple trees from seeds

10 years ago

Ok, just to start out here; Yes I do know that growing apple trees from seeds is not optimal as they basically never come in true to the parent tree and do not have the benefits of specialized root stock (such as dwarfing).

That said my son who's five wanted to plant apple trees from seeds. How could I possible discourage his excitement to learn and explore gardening. So now we have at least three apple tree seedlings that I have to figure out what to do with. We have plenty of ground to put them in so that's not a problem but I'm looking for ideas with arrangement for them. My first thought was to create an allee with them since they'll probably only be good as decorative and not as edibles. Threes' not enough for that but we put eight seeds in pots, and might decide to plant even more. If I do that I'm unsure how to space them; any guess as to what size we might expect. I was also thinking of getting two actual domestic apple trees Honey Crisp or Gala, and Golden Delicious, and place them at one end of the allee. I also may try to find a friend with a known apple tree and graft one of the seedlings if possible.

Also do you think the seedlings will over winter if we put them in the ground now. I'd rather not over winter them in the garage.

Any thoughts, suggestions? What a fun experiment right?

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Comments (7)

akamainegrower
10 years ago
This is a great project for a five year old. From such small beginnings passionate gardeners often grow. Plus, anything that involves the actual world as opposed to the virtual/digital one is very important for all kids today.

If the apple trees in question have just germinated this year, planting them out for this coming winter would be very risky. They need more size and root development to have a fighting chance of coping with cold, wind, predation from mice, voles, etc. Growing them on in containers for at least a year - 2 would better - would greatly increase their chances for survival.

An allee is a double row of trees with a path - an alley - running between. They can be any length you care to make them, but would probably not look terribly allee-like if not of sufficient length. Perhaps you can make this a long term project that involves planting seeds for several years and gradually lengthening your rows. Traditionally, allees have been planted with a single species of tree, but there is no reason way species could not be mixed. Your son could try different seeds and wind up with a planting that is uniquely his. As for spacing, you could place them close together to begin with, four or five feet, say and then remove every other one as they grow to close to each other. This should probably take 20 years or so with all seed grown trees.
Sara Malone Zone 9b
10 years ago
You also might look up Johnny Appleseed (Pollen's book 'Botany of Desire' has a good section, although you might want to downplay the hooch!) and talk with him about the story. It's really quite interesting and might be fun for you both!
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lucky_p
10 years ago
Absolutely, do not attempt to discourage the child from trying this. Although the fruit from these seedlings - if they survive to fruiting age - will likely not resemble that of the apple they came from, they may still be quite tasty and edible. Additionally, you could also let the little chap try his hand at grafting in a few years when they get large enough to use as rootstocks.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
in my z5 MI .. where its be 90 plus for a month.. and 100s next week ... july/august is NEVER a time to plant trees ;...

i would do in in mid sept when night temps are near 60ish ....

this give them.. 2 to 3 months before ground freeze ...

this is why you should tell us where you are ...

also.. over winter.. order some fruit catalogs.. and order him a GOOD apple.. for delivery at spring planting time ... the next step in his education in the garden ...

see link for planting trees ...

BTW ... take the apple name to google images... add 'tree' ... and look at mature specimens ... as to your spacing question ...

finally.. there are a whole host of fruit nuts in the fruit forum.. who never come to this forum ... they would know good mail order firms ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all for the encouragement and suggestions. I have to admin that I've had a few thoughts that this is just a crazy seeing how we have no idea what the resulting tree will be. Hopefully we'll get at least one that yields apples with good flavor. If we continue this as a long term project I think I'll try to get seeds from a number of different apple types in hopes that it will increase our changes of getting a good one. I also like the idea of getting him one known good apple tree this next planting season.
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh also I updated my profile to reflect general location and zone information. Hopefully that is also helpful.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
the boy might be out of high school before a seedling fruits ...

thats another reason to buy a tree that will produce fruit in a couple years ...

i went thru the fruit phase.. when the kids were small .. i eventually gave up .. because .. to get pretty store like fruit.. you have to spray them with a variety of things.. 3 to 5 times per season ...

i soon located an orchard a few miles from the house.. and attended all the self pick harvest fruit.. much easier.. lol ... and by the time it was all said and done.. it was cheaper to buy them ...

its a learning curve for both of you.. dont be dissuaded by what i say .. i only tell you the variables.. you will need to eventually address ...

ken

ps: i cant tell you how many things.. mysteriously disappeared over winter. lol ... the circle of life is another lesson to learn.. lol ... got rid of a lot of problems this way .. lol ....