How to germinate apple seeds

Apples

The apple tree or apple tree is a very loved plant in the orchards: it does not need a great maintenance and, in addition, it is very productive, to the point that a single specimen can produce the amount of fruit necessary for the whole family to enjoy its delicious flavor. And speaking of enjoying it, surely when you finish eating the apple you throw it in the garbage container or throw it in the compost heap, right?

Well, I'm going to propose something better: what do you think of the idea of ​​having your own apple tree? Thus, as soon as it begins to bear fruit, you will no longer need to go shopping at the supermarket. After reading this article, you will know how to germinate apple seeds. Cheer up. It is sure to be an enriching experience for everyone 😉.

Apple tree planting season

Apple blossoms

The apple tree is a tree that blooms in spring, and whose fruits finish ripening in summer / autumn. Therefore, the planting season, let's say, natural, it is in autumn, since this way the seeds would germinate throughout the following spring. But of course, today what most people do is, precisely, buy apples in a shopping center, in a supermarket or, if they can, in the town market, and that can be during any day of the year.

What happen? They can start to be sown in summer, and they would germinate in autumn, which if it is soft nothing happens, but if in our area there starts to be frosts, we will have to protect the seedlings in a greenhouse that we can do with four sticks and with transparent plastic.

Thus, taking into account that they usually germinate after 3-4 months, there are two seasons during which it can be sown:

  • Ideal time: fall.
  • Acceptable time: spring / early summer.

How to extract the seeds from the apple tree?

Apple tree seeds

Once we have decided the time when we are going to plant our future fruit tree, it is time to cut the apple to extract the seeds. But beware do not cut it right in half since you could damage the seeds (as has happened to some of the apple seen in the image above). Then, with a coffee spoon or a knife - carefully - you can remove them easily. Later, if you want, you can eat the apple 🙂.

Here you can see the seeds in more detail:

Apple tree seeds

Although they look good, healthy and fresh, it is important that as soon as you remove the clean well with water to remove any organic residue they may have; otherwise, the fungi could seriously damage them, rendering them unviable.

As a recommendation, put them in a glass with water for 24 hours so that the embryo inside it does not dehydrate.

Sowing apple seeds

The planting of the apple tree has two parts: the stratification and the planting itself in a pot. Let's see how to proceed:

Seed stratification

Vermiculite

Vermiculite, the ideal substrate for stratifying seeds.

When the 24 hours have passed, we will fill a tupperware (better if it is transparent plastic) halfway with a substrate called vermiculite. Vermiculite is a mineral formed by iron or magnesium silicates that retains much moisture, even more than perlite, being ideal for seedlings or, as in this case, for tuppers.

Afterwards, the seeds will be placed, a little separated from each other in case they germinate before time, and the tupperware is finished filling with more vermiculite. Once done, there will only be water a little with the help of a vaporizer, preventing the water from reaching the top; Let me explain: the substrate must be damp, but not soaked. If you see that there is excess water, remove it because otherwise the seeds would end up drowning, literally, since they will be in the tupperware for many days.

Now, and for prevention, it is highly advisable to add a pinch of ecological fungicide, such as copper or sulfur. Water a little again so that it comes into good contact with the vermiculite. Then, we close the tupperware, and we put it in the fridge at a temperature of 6ºC.

This first part is not over yet, but once a week we have to open the tupperware so that the air is renewed and check how the seeds are going. Thus, for 3 months.

Sowing seeds

Substratum

Black peat, the most used substrate for seedlings.

After 3 months, we can proceed to sow the seeds in seedbeds. As such, you can use traditional pots, forest seedling trays, milk containers, yogurt glasses ... Whatever you choose, you must make sure it has holes for drainage of the water.

Ok, we already have the seedbed, but what substrate do we use? One that has good drainage but that can also be kept moist enough, and above all, that it does not compact. In the nurseries you will find many prepared substrates; for the case at hand, You can use both the preparation for the Seedbeds and the ecological Urban Garden. 

Another option is to make the mix ourselves. For this, we will need 60% black peat + 30% perlite (or similar) + 10% earthworm humus (or other organic compost powder).

Sowing - Step by step

Having the substrate ready, proceed to do the following:

  1. We fill the seedbed almost completely. If you do not have a seedbed, you can buy the one that best suits what you need from this link.
  2. We put one or two seeds in each, separated from each other.
  3. All the we cover with substrate.
  4. We cast a pinch of fungicide ecological (copper or sulfur).
  5. We give them a generous watering, soaking the substrate well.
  6. And finally, we place the seedbed in a place where the sun shines directly.

Seedling care

Ill domestica young

After about a month, maximum two, the seeds will begin to germinate. At this early age they are very fragile, so you have to have them well controlled and cared for to avoid losing them. So the first thing we have to do, if two have germinated in a seedbed, is ring them, that is, separate them and plant them in individual pots.

How to ring them?

The easiest way to do this is, when they are 5cm high, extract the root ball from the pot, and carefully remove the substrate attached to the roots. Then, when we get a good look at their root systems, we simply have to untangle them avoiding breaking the roots.

When we have them separated, they are planted in pots of about 20cm in diameter with substrate (it can be the same type that we use for the seedbeds), they are watered and are placed in a semi-shady area until we see them growing, which will then be the time to gradually accustom them to the direct sun.

How to maintain them?

During the first year we have to be very aware of them. These are the care they need:

  • Irrigation: about 3 times a week in summer, and every 5-6 days the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: During spring and summer, it was advisable to fertilize with liquid organic fertilizers, such as guano, which, in addition to making them grow a little faster, strengthens them.
  • Preventive treatments: once a month in hot season it is advisable to treat with fungicide.

From the second year, we can move them to larger pots, or to the garden.

Apple tree in blossom

What do you think? Do you dare to grow your own apple tree?


16 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Juan said

    Won't it be necessary to graft it in the future to get good tasting apples? Or from seed itself they can already come out decent?

    And about stratification, can vermiculite be substituted for coconut fiber or perlite?

    Thank you.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi John.
      Yes, the taste is, as you say, decent. Of course, if you are looking for an exquisite flavor, then yes you would have to graft.
      Regarding your second question, yes, you can actually use whatever substrate you want, except peat moss or the like.
      Good luck, and good sowing 🙂.

  2.   Alejandra said

    Thank you
    His instructions are clear and precise.
    Motivation has worked too.
    I hope to comment when I have gotten my apple tree.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      I'm glad it was of interest to you. Good planting!

  3.   scraptella said

    I understand that whenever an apple seed is planted, its plant will be wild ... in fact I found a little tree born from a very rich apple, which I transplanted and cared for and after several years its fruit is very acidic, it still rots on the tree and it is very small, therefore from experience I can say that the graft must be done. I have two wild apple trees in my garden and one that I took care of and I have not yet been able to eat one of its apples, and the other was born alone… its fruits are used for compote and little else.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello scraptella.
      Curious what you comment. Do you pay it? It may be due to lack of nutrients that apples are small and acidic.
      However, if it happens often, it is advisable to graft.
      A greeting.

  4.   Juan Llacer Bellver said

    all the fruits sown with seeds come out on the edge, it is necessary to graft
    that is the case of small and sour apples

    Graft after two years
    it is better to buy the tree in a nursery.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi John.
      I disagree. There are several fruit trees that you can plant and obtain good quality fruits, such as olive trees for example, apple tree, persimmon, etc.

      What I do agree with is that it may take several years for them to bear fruit and that, therefore, if we are in a hurry, the ideal is to buy a specimen in a nursery.

      A greeting.

  5.   Begui Pedraza Lealos said

    The explanation is quite clear. I tell him to germinate red apple seeds in winter time ... impressive were the sprouts! Already with their first green leaves ... I experienced that they are very delicate when planting them, I managed to resist three seedlings and I only have two left for 18 months, their growth is quite slow ... I imagine it is because they are in a tropical climate ... This winter I have germinated 5 seeds green apples and these are ready to transfer to their first planting in bags.
    The sprouting process was done in a plastic taper on paper napkins and covered with another layer of wet napkin in addition to the lid of the taper and taken to the refrigerator.
    I have pictures of the process.
    THANKS A LOT! For your explanation.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Begui.
      We are glad to know that you liked the article.
      Good luck with those seeds.
      A greeting.

  6.   Anthony F.P. said

    It is much faster and easier:
    At the time of pruning, a branch of the apple tree is cut at both ends, taking into account that a secondary branch must sprout from the piece that remains.
    It is planted directly in the garden, so that the secondary branch will form the tree.
    Its fruits will be identical to those of the original tree.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Antonio.
      Yes, it is much faster like this 🙂, but watching a tree grow from seeds is nice too.
      A greeting.

  7.   Alejandro said

    Hello,

    I am already in the phase of mixing the earth, perlite and humus to make the seedbeds. Once you put the seeds in the ground: do you have to water frequently until they germinate? Should they be kept in the sun, even strong, for a few hours or just enough?

    I suppose that we must water them, because summer is also approaching, however, to make sure how often they germinate and how much exposure to heat is ideal for germination.

    Thank you very much for such a good presentation.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Alejandro.

      I answer your questions:

      1.- For the seedlings to grow well from the beginning, I do recommend putting the seedbed in direct sun throughout the day. So later you will not have to waste time getting used to them.
      2.- Yes, of course, you have to water 🙂. The frequency will depend on the climate in your area, but in general you should not let the ground dry out completely, but it should not remain flooded.

      By the way, spray / spray the seeds with fungicide spray to protect them from fungi. Young trees, especially seedlings, are very vulnerable to fungi, to the point that they can kill them. With the fungicide this is avoided.

      Greetings.

  8.   Dayana said

    Hello, thank you very much for your explanation.

    However I have a doubt. A few months ago I saved the seeds of an apple, however since it has been so long it seems to me that it will be impossible to use them since too much time has passed. In addition to this, where I am, I do not have access to vermiculite (since I have already asked it and no one gives me a reason for it), therefore I think that sowing it will not be so easy in my case. Is it correct or is there anything I can do to use those seeds that I have saved?

    A hug and excellent explanation.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Dayana.

      To know if they are still viable, that is, if they can still germinate, I recommend putting them in a glass of water. If they sink within 24 hours, they are still usable.

      As soil, mulch, coconut fiber, or black soil will serve you. It doesn't have to be vermiculite 🙂

      Greetings.