The wild apple is a tree that blooms and gives pleasant colors to any type of natural landscape; moreover, after the summer, it produces edible fruits and sports an autumn foliage that makes it a decorative element in every season. You can grow it starting from seeds or buying a young plant at a nursery; however, the most important thing to do to get a strong and healthy tree is to make sure it gets plenty of sun and water it carefully.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Treating the Seeds
Step 1. Mix the seeds with the compost
Place a handful of wild apple seeds in a pot or other container suitable for gardening; add two or three handfuls of peat-free compost and mix the two elements thoroughly.
If you wish, you can use compost with moist leaves
Step 2. Wet the mixture
Once the seeds are mixed with the compost, pour a little water to hydrate them; you have to add a sufficient dose to ensure that, squeezing a handful of soil and seeds, only a few drops of water come out.
If you pour too much water, add a little more compost to try to get it absorbed
Step 3. Place the compost and seed mixture in a plastic bag
Once she is well hydrated, you need to transfer it to a bag, making sure to close the end loosely with a knot.
Step 4. Store the bag in the refrigerator for about 3 months
After putting the mixture back in the bag and closing it, you need to keep it cool; the ideal place is the drawer in which you store the fresh vegetables, but avoid the freezer compartment. Let the mixture cool for about 12-14 weeks or until the seeds begin to sprout.
- This process is called layering. Staying several months in the refrigerator, the mixture with the seeds is exposed to cold and humidity, favoring a more effective germination.
- Upon reaching the tenth week, check the seeds regularly to see if they develop; if they start to sprout, it means that it is time to plant them.
- Theoretically, you need to organize the seed layering period so that they are ready for planting in early summer or fall.
Part 2 of 4: Burying the Seeds
Step 1. Choose a sunny, well-draining area in which to plant them
The choice of the right place represents a crucial aspect of the cultivation of the wild apple; this plant needs a lot of sun, so you must avoid shaded areas. Additionally, you also need to find well-draining soil so that the roots don't get too soggy.
To find out if the soil is draining well, dig a hole that is about 30-45 cm deep and wide and fill it with water. If this is absorbed in no more than 10 minutes, the soil is perfect; if, on the other hand, it takes an hour or even more, the soil does not drain well and is not suitable for this cultivation
Step 2. Spread the seeds all over the area
Once you have found the ideal place to plant your apple trees, rake the soil to make small furrows and gently spread the seed in a thin layer above the earth, so that it falls into the tracks you have prepared.
Step 3. Press the seeds into the soil
Once spread across the area, run an empty seed roller over the area; this way, you press them into the ground and increase the chances that they can germinate effectively.
- Optionally, you can also rent this tool from a hardware store or garden center in your area.
- If you don't have a sowing roller, you can press the seeds into the earth using a plank.
Step 4. Cover them with sand
After having made them penetrate into the ground, spread a layer of sand for horticulture over the entire area involved in cultivation; make sure that the seeds are covered with a 5-10 mm thick coat.
The sand for horticulture is a substance based on sand that enriches the soil by improving its structure and drainage thanks to the creation of "pockets" that retain air and water; it is sometimes sold as ground cover or washed sand
Step 5. Water thoroughly
Once you've covered the soil and seed layer with sand, take a watering can to wet the area; the soil must be moist but surface puddles must not form.
Part 3 of 4: Planting the Young Plants Purchased in Stores
Step 1. Find a sunny area with well-draining soil
The wild apple tree needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day; therefore choose an area that meets this requirement and that is not much in the shade. Also, make sure the soil is well-drained so the roots can stay healthy.
To check that the soil drains well, dig a hole 30-45 cm deep and wide and fill it with water; then observe how long it takes for the liquid to flow out. If no more than 10 minutes is enough, the soil is suitable for your purpose; if it takes an hour or more, the soil does not drain well and you have to choose another area
Step 2. Clean the ground
Before burying the young apple tree you must make sure that the soil is free from weeds and other unwanted elements; remove any stones, weeds and any other elements that could interfere with the growth of the tree.
Step 3. Dig a hole as deep as the root system but wider
Examine the root ball before planting the tree; use a shovel to make a hole in the area of your choice that is the same depth as the roots, but 2-3 times wider.
- When placing the tree in the hole, the top of the root crown should be level with or slightly above the soil surface.
- If you are burying more than one wild apple tree, space them at least 3-6 meters apart.
Step 4. Add some compost to the soil
If the soil does not present the best characteristics for cultivating the apple tree, it is a good idea to add some product that enriches it; pour a small amount of compost into the soil you removed from the hole and create a mixture with which to surround the young seedling.
If, on the other hand, the soil has the optimal conditions to cultivate the tree, it is not necessary to add anything
Step 5. Insert the tree into the hole and fill the hole halfway with soil and water
Remove the small apple tree from the jar or burlap sack and place it in the hole you dug; Fill it about halfway with potting soil and water it carefully so that the soil settles well.
Step 6. Wait for the water to drain, then fill the hole with the rest of the soil
Leave the tree undisturbed for several minutes until the water is completely absorbed, then add some soil to completely cover the entire area around the base of the seedling.
Do not over-compact the soil around the plant
Part 4 of 4: Caring for Wild Apple Trees
Step 1. Apply compost and mulch in the spring
To ensure healthy plant growth, you need to spread a layer of compost every spring. Spread it over the entire area covered by the canopy, as far as the branches extend; afterwards, add a layer of about 5 cm of mulch to help the soil retain moisture and prevent weeds from developing.
Keep the mulch about 7-10cm away from the trunk so the roots don't get too drenched
Step 2. Water the seedling early in the morning
During the hot season the apple tree needs to be wet regularly if the rainfall is less than 2.5 cm per week. Pour 3-5 cm of water once a week for the first year. however, avoid watering in the afternoon or evening, when temperatures are cooler, as mold could form.
- After the first year of life, the apple tree generally does not need to be watered, unless there is a period of particular drought.
- Check the soil under the tree regularly to see if it is wet; if it feels dry, it's time to water.
Step 3. Prune the damaged branches
To avoid disease and other problems, you should remove dead, broken, or diseased branches in late winter. Use a pair of gardening shears to cut them, so the tree can continue to grow healthy.
You may need to use a saw to prune thicker branches
Step 4. Support the tree with a pole if your area is particularly windy
Interrane one about 60 cm deep in the ground and 15 cm away from the trunk; Then tie the tree to the pole using a garden tie. This precaution allows you to protect the apple tree from the wind and other atmospheric agents.
Step 5. In winter, cover the young tree with a tarp
Plants are sensitive to sunburn in winter; to avoid this risk and prevent damage, buy a specific cloth to wrap the trunk, which you can buy at nurseries or garden centers.
