Q&A for How to Grow an Apple Tree from a Seed

Potting established trees is not recommended, as this would shock the roots. You could take cuttings from these trees and graft them to an appropriate root stock to establish new trees.

No. The two varieties grown should be planted at a spacing equal to their expected mature height. For standard apple trees, this is 30 feet.

Apple trees can live more than 50 years.

It will take about 15 minutes for the seeds to dry. The seeds don't need to be bone dry--just enough to ensure that moisture doesn't get dragged in from any apple pulp that might still be hanging to the seeds.

This may be either too much fertilizer or too much sun. Keep it moist and away from insects by using sprays or traps.

Either your pH is off, or your NPK is off. If your pH is too high, (to much alkalinity), mix a little aluminum sulphate and water. Add to the rootball. It'll take 10 minutes to lower soils alkalinity, and be acidic. Mulch tea will get the soil neutral at 7.0. Once your pH has been fixed, then you may be able to bear fruit. If the problem continues, add some bat guano, it'll not only thicken the trunk, it'll also strengthen the blooms, and reinforce blooms before they are pollinated. There are stronger fertilizers for the phosphorous. Super triple phosphate will help the same in addition to speeding and thickening roots.

No. When you are in doubt, always assume that taking agricultural produce, seeds etc will get you in trouble, as many countries have strict laws about this.

It's because an apple tree needs nutrition. Also that may sound gross but it you have a pet that lives or sometimes is in water you can add that water to the plant. Animals usually give plants a better nutrition.

Because apple trees do not self-pollenate.

Plant your tree after the threat of frost is passed. This window for planting is best for your tree. Never plant your sapling in the hot heat of summer. Once cooler temps in mid-September to mid-October will work well for transplanting, but be mindful of low temps overnight. Fall transplants need about a month to settle in, and the stress of cold to freezing temps can be fatal. Be sure to not leave air pockets around tree. Thoroughly water after transplanting.

Apple trees have to have chill hours. If they don't stay around -6 degrees C for a period, they will not be able to distinguish between seasons, resulting in little or no fruit production. Only climates that support four seasons can produce apples. Fruit trees should be grown to their optimal growing conditions. Trying to grow fruit that does not normally grow in your climate is only asking for extreme conditioning, and may even introduce local flora to unwanted microorganisms and diseases.

Yes, but if you keep it in a sealed plastic bag, like a sandwich bag, it shouldn't dry out.

Tree covers are all you need to protect young trees. After 5 years the cover can be removed. It is the rabbits and deer that pose the problems.

Either it is not old enough to bloom yet or it does not have another cultivar near it. A successful cultivar should be no more than 50 feet away. Some trees do not compliment each other, so careful selection is integral.

No. Once it is in the ground it should stay there.

You need to keep your seedlings inside on a sunny windowsill until the last risk of frost has passed. Sometimes, if your apple seedling does not get enough sun, it will die. Just simply start a new tree by putting a seed in a paper towel in a container outside when it is cold.

Yes. The box needs to contain humidity in order for the seeds to sprout.

Yes. Certain apple varieties will do best depending on your location. Contact you local agricultural extension office for more details.

It depends mostly on the height of the greenhouse, but for forward preparation, plant it outside when it's 5/7 times the size of a seedling, depending on the variety.

You should water the plant once a day while it is still in a pot. When you move it out of the pot, once a week is enough.

Apple "trees" pollinate. The trees grow flowers in the spring and insects, while collecting nectar, will also gather pollen from one tree's flowers and leave it on another tree's flowers.

You will need to prune your tree. Do this in the winter months when the tree is dormant. Establish a lead branch. All branches that grow past 35 degree angle should either be pruned to trunk leaving no stem, or tied down to get the branch to grow down. Sucker branches only make pruning and eventual picking more difficult and labor intense.

No, they are native to northern climates and won't do too well in the tropics.

Space seeds about 6 inches apart. Please note that non-sprouted seeds may take longer to establish themselves. If they have not had a cold snap- they will not germinate.

Absolutely, but as it says above, apple trees are best grown from saplings bought from a nursery. Just follow the steps above to grow trees from seeds, remembering to grow two different types of apples so that they cross-pollinate in order to grow fruit.

Southern Nigeria will be most suitable for this, but you can try in other locations as well.

Start the germination process around the first of February. This will give the seeds time to sprout and establish a root system. Transplant only after all threats of frost are gone. I like to use a large cleaned out bleach bottle to cover around the transplant (cutting off the bottom and discarding the lid). This supports a micro climate for your tree and allows light in while protecting it from rodents and deer.

Most dwarf apple trees live for 25 - 35 years. Fruit quality stabilizes at 9th or 10th year. Full-sized trees take about 2 - 3 years more for good quality fruit, and these trees will produce for 30+ years and usually live 45 - 80 years. Remember that proper pruning and care will get you better quality earlier and more years of fruit growing.

Apple trees usually take three to five years to start producing fruit depending on the variety. Have patience and you will see more apples, unless you live in zone 8 or warmer. Very few apple trees produce on their own in a zone 7 area.

Apple trees cannot self-pollinate, and if it does not pollinate, it will not bear fruit. For your tree to pollinate, grow a different type of apple tree near it.