Cheapo Apple trees trial

[BenAllgood]

Realizing results might be dismal and it may be years before seeing results, I made some grow bags out of some black breathable fabric from some kind of packaging. My daughter collected some of the apple seeds from some store bought apples we ate and put them in the fridge to sprout. I'm going to "cage" these in the spring in some cut brushpiles.

 

[THE LLC]

Those make great rootstock if you want to graft them in a few years. That’s what I do.

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

I really enjoy growing apple trees from seed for some reason. I only started doing it last year, but it just feels rewarding because if it works out then I’ll have free apple trees instead of paying $20-30 per tree if I can master the grafting aspect.
I recently put at least 100 seeds in the fridge and now I’m just waiting for them to sprout so I can get some growing in pots under grow lights.
Somehow I had a single seed sprout after just a few weeks (none of the others have sprouted yet). It’s about 4 inches tall now and looks to be a vigorous grower.
I picked the apples myself from a local tree, so I know the early germinator wasn’t in cold storage before being placed in a store. Hmmmmm


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[Chipdasqrrl]

And a note to people growing apples in pots over the summer:
Apple trees are a C3 type of plant (describes how it fixes carbon), which tells you that its optimum photosynthesis temperature is 65-75 degrees. When the temperature rises above 75 degrees, the plant’s ability to perform photosynthesis will get worse.

Because of this, you may want to consider bringing the trees inside during the dog days of summer (if you’ve got a grow light or a good window and AC). I have noticed that my apple trees do phenomenal in indoor conditions.

Am I overthinking it? Sure am


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[BenAllgood]

What size do the trees need to be before putting them in the ground? I would have thought as soon as possible if not the dead of winter or summer?

 

[THE LLC]

I plant mine in their permanent spot the winter after I start them. Let them grow a couple years then top work them to the final variety.

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

Yup I plan on putting mine in the ground after one full growing season


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[THE LLC]

For grins, I have one in my yard that I grafted three varieties too. It’s cool.

 

[Doe Shooter]

Those make great rootstock if you want to graft them in a few years. That’s what I do.

Me too.

 

[Chipdasqrrl]

For grins, I have one in my yard that I grafted three varieties too. It’s cool.

Got any pictures? That’s a tempting idea lol


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[BenAllgood]

Got 12 going and will keep adding more.

 

[THE LLC]

Got any pictures? That’s a tempting idea lol


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I can get one with the leaves off.

 

[BenAllgood]

I'm worried about a couple of these with twisted trunks. I don't think I buried the sprouts deep enough.

 

[THE LLC]

I’ve had them do that and when I plant them in the ground, I just bury the crooked trunk and all.

 

[KSQ2]

Hey guys, I can probably answer this information with an internet search, so I understand if you’d rather not answer. Which apple trees are the best for root stock, and where do you get the limbs to graft to them when they’re ready? I obviously want late blooming/bearing trees, but those are hard to come by locally. I do have some Arkansas Black and a couple other varieties growing in the back pasture, they are all standard trees, I’ve had much better luck with those. Does it hurt a tree to take a limb off it when dormant? Do you just use small branches from pruning? You all have me very intrigued.

 

[Native Hunter]

Hey guys, I can probably answer this information with an internet search, so I understand if you’d rather not answer. Which apple trees are the best for root stock, and where do you get the limbs to graft to them when they’re ready? I obviously want late blooming/bearing trees, but those are hard to come by locally. I do have some Arkansas Black and a couple other varieties growing in the back pasture, they are all standard trees, I’ve had much better luck with those. Does it hurt a tree to take a limb off it when dormant? Do you just use small branches from pruning? You all have me very intrigued.

I will give you some info to get you started. Do a little research from this and get back with me or someone else for additional questions:

• There are lots of different clonal rootstocks out there, but B118, MM111, and Antonovka are probably the three most popular and safest for beginners. One rootstock to avoid for sure is M7. Many, many trees will lean later if not supported with M7. There has been some minor reporting just recently of trees on B118 leaning, but it isn't as prevalent. B118 is pretty much a proven good choice except for wet soils. Most of my trees are on MM111, and I have had excellent results. I don't have any Antonovka trees, but wouldn't hesitate to use some. They have a good track record with other people who I respect.
• Antonovka makes what is referred to as a full sized tree, and the others mentioned make what is referred to as semi dwarfs. Do some searching on the Internet about rootstocks and you will find the pros and cons of the three mentioned above. Trees grown from seed can be used, but you don't know the attributes of these trees such as - how they will do in wet soil, what will their ultimate size be, will they have FB resistance, etc.... However, your chances are good that they will work okay, and they are free.
• You can buy scion wood from many nurseries, and by networking with other people you can get people to give you some for free or trade with them. Many people really get into this swapping and like to do it. Or you can buy a tree that you like and then take scion wood from your own tree later on for grafting. An example of a nursery that sells wood is Big Horse Creek Farm. You can look them and others up on the Internet.
• The scion wood is pieces of limbs smaller than a pencil, so it doesn't hurt a tree to take a few of these small pieces when it is dormant.
• Go to You Tube and you will find many videos of grafting and topworking that will keep you busy for a long time.

Good luck, and best wishes

 

[KSQ2]

Thanks Native! I’ve had great luck so far with the 4 standard trees behind the house. I’m pretty sure they are a combination of empire, enterprise, and Arkansas black. I planted them deeper to make them standard trees. I planted them in 2015 and this is the first year to have blooms, and that’s only in two of them. I’m not sure they will pollinate, since only two have bloomed.
Would I be better off just growing some more from seed when we eventually get apples, since these trees are proven here?

 

[Native Hunter]

Thanks Native! I’ve had great luck so far with the 4 standard trees behind the house. I’m pretty sure they are a combination of empire, enterprise, and Arkansas black. I planted them deeper to make them standard trees. I planted them in 2015 and this is the first year to have blooms, and that’s only in two of them. I’m not sure they will pollinate, since only two have bloomed.
Would I be better off just growing some more from seed when we eventually get apples, since these trees are proven here?

Apples from seed are not exact duplicates of their parents. They are a new creation that has never lived before just like every human is a new creation. They could be better or worse but not exactly the same. The advantage of a clonal rootstock is that you know the exact attributes. But sometime surprises can be good too.