I'm really excited about growing an apple tree, but I'm feeling totally lost trying to figure out how to actually do it. It seems like you can't just grow the specific apple you want from a seed, and when I look up information, there are so many charts and videos suggesting the best types to grow. So I'm stuck wondering, how do I get the apples that are recommended if I can't grow them from seed? Is it true that I'll never get the exact same apple again? Am I stuck with buying rootstocks and grafting branches? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You can grow apples from seed, but keep in mind, you won't know what variety you’ll end up with until the tree bears fruit. For a guaranteed result, it's best to buy a ready-made tree or ask a nursery for a specific variety. Grafting is another option if you want to get a certain type.
If you want to grow a specific type of apple, most people just buy a tree from a nursery. These trees are usually grafted onto rootstocks to ensure you get the apples you want. You can grow apples from seeds, but the result will likely not resemble the original apple you ate since they don't produce true-to-type offspring.
To get the apple variety of your choice, it's easiest to just visit a nursery and buy a grafted young apple tree. Trying to grow from seeds can be a gamble, as they tend to produce surprise varieties. And remember, if you want apples, it's a good idea to have two trees for cross-pollination!