When to plant apple seeds. Apple is a fruit produced by various species of apple trees. They are cultivated worldwide and possess numerous benefits.
When to plant apple seeds
If you are searching for when to plant the apple seeds, the most favorable season is fall/winter.
Plant Description
- Scientific name-Malus pumila/ domestica
- Kingdom-Plantae – Plants
- Division-Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
- Class-Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
- Order-Rosales
- Family- Rosaceae – Rose family
- Genus-Malus P. Mill – apple
- Life Cycle- Perennial plant
- Nativity-Introduced
- Height- 25 feet in height with a crown spread of 25 feet
- Flowers– Showy, white blossoms
- Leaves –simple, oval
- Size of leaves- 5 inches long and 1.5 – 2.5 inches wide
- Fruit- matures through the summer
- Ripening season-The fruit ripe in the fall.
- Colors-Ripe apples occur in various colors, from green, yellow, red, or a mixture of these colors.
- Seeds– Small, oval brownish seeds at the middle of the fruit
Time to Plant Apple Seeds
- Apples are grown by planting seeds in the fall and winter.
- They are sown in January and February.
- The apple plant needs a cold environment.
- The fall/winter is better for its sowing.
- Before sowing, maintain a well fertile and draining soil.
- Dig a 60 cm hole two weeks before planting the seeds.
- Add better quality loamy soil and organic compost.
Requirements Required For Planting Apple Seeds
- Required Hardiness Zones-3 to 9
- It Requires full sun.
- Avoid growing in shady areas
- Well-drained loamy soil
- Require sandy soil or clay soil
- Require neutral soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0
- Prevent the tree from prevailing wind or breeze
Planting Apple Seeds
Procedure
First, you need to cause the germination process in the pots or containers.
Once the plant is ready, transfer it to the soil.
Refrigeration Phase
- Expose the seeds to a cold environment. You can also use the refrigerator for the initial few weeks.
- Take some moist sand and add it to the bottom of the container/ pot.
- For refrigeration, take a plastic margarine tub and add a layer of moist sand to the bottom of the tub.
- Take the apple seeds and place them on the sand.
- Cover the seeds with sand to retain the moisture.
- Make a few Punches up to 1 or 2 small holes in the container lid.
- After that, place the lid on the margarine tub.
- Take the container and place it in the refrigerator for about 90 to 120 days.
- Required temperature- 37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit
- After the desired time frame, remove the tub and plant the seeds in the pot.
Germination Phase
- After 120 days, transfer the seeds to the potting soil.
- Add the seeds to about 1/2 inch deep in the potting mix.
- Provide moisture and adequate requirements till the seeds start to germinate.
- After germination, provide proper care and feed to gain a suitable height.
- Once the plant is healthy, fit for transfer, plant them in the desired outdoor location.
Growing Phase
- Select the location for planting.
- Dig a 1.2m (4 foot) Hole using the desired gadget.
- Plant it in an area where the plant doesn’t need to compete for nutrients and water for establishment.
- Maintain proper spacing while pacing the apple tree.
- Dwarf trees should be far about 1.2-2.4m (4 -8 feet) apart.
- Semi-dwarf trees should be spaced 2.4-4.8m (8-16 feet) apart.
- Standard trees need an adequate spacing of 4.2-5.5m (14-18 feet).
Harvesting period
- The Dwarf cultivars produce fruits in one to three years of planting.
- The Standard cultivars begin fruiting from five to ten years after planting.
- Pluck the Apples from midsummer till late fall.
- The fruit takes 100 to 200 days to get ripe after the fruit set. It may depend on the variety of the apple tree.
Conclusion
Apples are grown by planting seeds in the fall and winter. They are sown in January and February.
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