Can I Plant Apple Seeds?

Many people who enjoy eating apples wonder whether they can grow apple trees from the seeds in the core. The answer is yes, you can plant apple seeds and they will germinate. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind before you start planting.

1. Seed viability

The first thing to consider is seed viability. Not all apple seeds will germinate, and even those that do may not produce fruit that is the same as the apple from which the seed was taken. This is because apples are not true to seed, meaning that they do not reproduce exactly from seed.

Therefore, if you want to plant apple seeds, it is best to collect them from an apple variety that you like, and plant several to increase your chances of success. You can test the seed viability by soaking the seeds in water; the ones that sink to the bottom are likely to germinate.

2. Cold stratification

Another important factor in growing apple trees from seed is cold stratification. This process helps to break the seed dormancy and stimulates germination. To cold stratify apple seeds, place them in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel and refrigerate for at least 10-12 weeks.

Once the seeds have been cold stratified, they can be planted in pots or directly in the ground. It is important to keep the soil moist and make sure the seedlings receive plenty of sunlight, especially in their first year of growth.

3. Grafting

Finally, it is important to remember that planting apple seeds is not the most reliable way to produce fruit. It can take several years for the seedlings to mature, and the resulting fruit may not be of the same quality as the parent apple. Instead, many fruit growers use a process called grafting to propagate apple trees.

Grafting involves taking a cutting from a mature apple tree, called a scion, and attaching it to a new rootstock. This guarantees that the resulting tree will have the same characteristics as the original apple. Grafting can also be used to create dwarf or disease-resistant apple trees.

Conclusion

So, can you plant apple seeds? Yes, you can. But it's important to remember that not all seeds will germinate, and the resulting fruit may not be what you expect. If you want to grow apple trees for the fruit, it is better to use a more reliable method, such as grafting. However, growing apple trees from seed can be a fun and rewarding experiment, even if it doesn't produce the perfect apple.