Driving to the shops I would see them every day – apple trees on the side of the road. Random trees that grew long ago when some passing motorist threw an apple core out of their car window and the seed germinated and sprouted. I have three wild apple trees in my local area and I was counting down the hours until they would be ripe enough to eat.
Yes, you heard correctly – I was eager to have a taste of these wild apples. Now I know you have probably been told that you should not grow apples from seed and only plant grafted trees. You have, no doubt, heard that the fruit resulting from a seed-grown tree will taste awful – but I have never bought into this common belief. While I know that apple trees grown from seed are genetically unique from the parent tree and the apples will never be exactly the same as the one that the seed came from, I have always been an adventurous gardener and I know that while you may get something that is small, sour or tasteless, you may also get something that is amazing! So I was keen to taste the apples from these trees and put my theory to the test.
So this is what I found….
The apples on one tree looked big and juicy and plump and I was eager to try them. When I took a bite the texture was pleasantly crisp but they were decidedly bland. No flavour at all. They would be good to use in something like an apple pie where you were also adding extra flavours and sweeteners – cloves, sugar, cinnamon and the like.
The apples on the second tree where small, hard and sour. Not something I would eat unless I was desperately hungry.
The apples on the third tree – although they were small and green and looked unappetising – tasted as good as any that you would buy at the supermarket (better than some varieties, I would say). The flavour was very good and the texture was crisp without being overly so. Definitely a good eating apple – although not one you would find in the shop simply because they were too small to be marketable.
So if you are thinking of growing apple trees from seed (or any fruit tree that traditionally is only grown as a grafted tree) and you have the room to experiment I do highly recommend you give this a try. While most home gardeners will continue to opt for the convenience of purchasing grafted trees, there’s a unique and rewarding experience in nurturing an apple tree from seed. It’s a journey that requires patience and a touch of adventurous spirit, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort.
A Unique Genetic Heritage
When you grow an apple tree from seed, you’re embarking on a journey into the realm of genetic possibility. Unlike grafted trees, which are clones of a specific variety, seed-grown trees inherit genetic material from both parent trees. This means that each seedling is a unique individual, with its own set of characteristics. The resulting fruit may resemble the parent apples, but it could also be a delightful surprise, with variations in taste, texture, color, and size.
Imagine the excitement of discovering a new apple variety in your own backyard! It’s like embarking on a treasure hunt, with the potential for uncovering a hidden gem. While the fruit may not always be as predictable as those from named varieties, the element of surprise adds an undeniable charm to the process.
A Stronger, More Resilient Tree
Apple trees grown from seed tend to develop a strong taproot, which anchors them firmly in the ground and allows them to access water and nutrients from deeper soil layers. This makes them more drought-tolerant and less susceptible to soil erosion. Additionally, seedling apple trees can often be more resistant to diseases and pests.
This inherent resilience makes seed-grown apple trees a great choice for gardeners who prefer a more natural, low-maintenance approach. They are better equipped to handle the challenges of varying weather conditions and are less likely to require frequent spraying or other interventions.
A Deeper Connection with Nature
Growing an apple tree from seed is a truly immersive experience that allows you to witness the miracle of life unfold before your eyes. From the moment you bite into the crisp, juicy flesh of an apple and remove the seed from the core ready to be planted, to the day your tiny seed germinates, right through until the day you harvest your very first apple…. You have been connected to this journey from the very beginning and you have created something that you can harvest year after year long into the future.
It’s a journey that teaches patience, perseverance, and the importance of nurturing life. You’ll learn about the needs of your growing tree, the cycles of nature, and the delicate balance that exists within your garden ecosystem. This hands-on experience can foster a deeper connection with nature and a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things.
A Legacy for Future Generations
Planting an apple seed is an act of hope, a promise for the future. You’re not just growing a tree for yourself; you’re creating a legacy that can be enjoyed by generations to come. Imagine your children and grandchildren harvesting apples from a tree that you nurtured from a tiny seed. It’s a tangible connection to the past and a symbol of your enduring contribution to the landscape.
Embarking on Your Seed-Growing Adventure
If you’re intrigued by the idea of growing apple trees from seed, here are a few tips to get you started:
- Choose your apples wisely: Select apples from varieties that you enjoy, but keep in mind that the offspring may not be exactly the same.
- Collect and prepare the seeds: Remove the seeds from the apple and allow them to dry completely.
- Stratify the seeds: Apple seeds need a period of cold dormancy to germinate. You can mimic this by placing the seeds in a sealed container with moist sand or peat moss and refrigerating them for 60-90 days. Alternatively, just let the cold of winter do the job for you and plant the seed at the beginning of the winter season.
- Plant the seeds: After stratification, plant the seeds in pots filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist and warm until the seeds germinate. Plant more than you need to allow for seeds that may not germinate as well as trees which might produce less than palatable apples.
- Nurture the seedlings: Once the seedlings emerge, provide them with plenty of sunlight and water. Transplant them into larger pots as needed and then out into the garden when they are a bit bigger.
- Be patient: It can take several years for an apple tree grown from seed to start producing fruit. But the wait will be worth it when you finally taste the unique apples from your own tree.
- …and what if the apples are not very nice? Well, if you end up with an apple tree with apples that you don’t like all is not lost! You can cut down the tree and use the roots as an in-situ root stock and graft other apple varieties onto this. The root system of your seed-grown tree will the stronger and healthier than most of the grafted trees you will find at your local nursery!
Growing apple trees from seed is not for everyone. It requires patience, dedication, growing space and a willingness to embrace the unknown. But for those who are willing to embark on this adventure, the rewards are immeasurable. You’ll gain a deeper connection with nature, create a living legacy, and have the chance to discover a new apple variety that’s uniquely your own.
So why not run outside and start your own Garden of Eden today!
