The question of how to propagate an apple tree arises at different stages of the hobby for gardening. Someone wants to have a large garden, someone wants to clone a tree of their favorite variety, renew old trees. Of course, it is easier to buy a seedling, but it is always a risk.

Reproduction methods

The apple tree is not the most capricious tree in reproduction. However, before you get down to business, it is worthwhile to figure out what home methods exist. There are several methods you can use for safety net. How the apple tree reproduces:

  • seeds;
  • cuttings;
  • layering.

Reproduction with the help of seeds seems to be the simplest and most logical. However, there are difficulties here: firstly, it takes longer, and secondly, you can get the wrong variety that you expected. The fact is that when grown from seeds, trees acquire a different genetic set. Therefore, this method is used to develop new varieties. Of course, for the sake of interest, you can try to germinate seeds and get a shoot out of them, but you should not hope for this option. Most likely, the output will be a wild apple tree with small apples.

Reproduction using cuttings and cuttings is considered to be the most successful methods.

New tree from branch

The propagation method using layering is simple if you follow the rules. There are 2 ways to grow an apple tree from a branch, both refer to propagation without grafting.

The first way is to plant a seedling of the desired variety at an angle in the fall so that the branches touch the ground. In early spring, examine the tree, choose young shoots and pin them to the ground with staples. Throughout the summer, you need to huddle the place several times in which the roots will grow from the buds, and maintain the moisture level necessary for rooting. Thus, by the fall, quite viable seedlings will be obtained. The advantage of this method is in obtaining a large number of new seedlings. The downside is the need to buy a young tree. That is, it will not work to grow an apple tree seedling from an old tree.

Dig in the branches of the apple tree

How can you root a branch of an apple tree without being able to dig it in? Here a more convenient method comes to the rescue: reproduction of an apple tree by air layers. You need to carefully inspect the tree and select developed branches with good annual growth (those that have shoots). You need to take it, step back from the top about 10 cm and use a sharp (this is important) knife to peel off the bark with a ring about 3 cm wide.This area is treated with a special solution that stimulates root growth. You can find one in a garden store. Dilution of the solution - according to the instructions.

For the formation of roots, moisture is required, so the place of the future root growth must be wrapped in moss and a bag on top. During the summer, the bag should be removed periodically to moisturize the root formation. With the arrival of autumn, you can remove it completely. If done correctly, the root system will be sufficiently developed. Then, with the help of a pruner, the future seedling is cut just below the roots and planted in a permanent place. For the winter, it is better to cover the future apple tree, since it is still rather weak.

Important! If there is no moss on the site, you can build something like a greenhouse on a branch. For example, make a container out of a plastic bottle, fill it with a substrate that can retain moisture (for example, rotted leaves) and fasten it to a branch. A disposable glass or something else, not very heavy, can play the role of a container.

How to propagate an apple tree by cuttings

How to uproot an apple tree

Reproduction of an apple tree using cuttings is usually carried out in the spring. Thus, by the fall, seedlings with roots are already obtained, which can be planted in a permanent place in a couple of years.

Green cuttings

Young shoots will become ideal cuttings, the lower part of which has already begun to grow stiff. When all the leaves, except for the top one, are already open, you can start working.

How to cut an apple tree:

  1. Cutting is best done in the morning. It is convenient to do this with a special sharp knife for grafting. The lower cut is not made straight, but at an angle of 45 degrees, directed towards the kidney, without cutting it. The upper cut, on the contrary, should be straight. Usually, an average of 3 cuttings can be obtained from each shoot.
  2. Each shoot must have at least 3 leaves. Moreover, the lower one must be removed and the upper 2 left. The remaining 2 leaves should be cut (with the same grafting knife) in half.
  3. The resulting future seedlings must be placed in a root stimulator solution for 18 hours. The container in which the branches will be kept is better covered with a film or bag. So the moisture level will be higher, which is beneficial for future roots.
  4. While the cuttings are in solution, you can prepare a box for later finding cuttings in them. The container should be about 30 cm high. To a height of 20 cm, it must be covered with earth, and on top about 5 cm with sand, which must be calcined in the oven. This is done so that all bacteria in it die. Before placing the cuttings in the substrate, it must be moistened. You can do this with water, or with a stimulating solution.
  5. After the cuttings have been kept in solution for the right time, they can be planted in a box. They should be placed in the sand shallowly, from 1 to 2 cm. If placed deeper, they can rot. When planting, you should strictly ensure that the leaves do not come into contact with each other and with the walls of the box.
  6. The box with cuttings should be in a warm, bright place, but not in direct sunlight. Each week, you need to ventilate the cuttings and monitor the humidity. It is better to water not from a watering can, but from a spray bottle. Dampness should not be allowed. You also need to inspect the cuttings for decay.
  7. If conditions are favorable, the cuttings will have roots on average in a month. When this happens, you can and should ventilate more often. So future seedlings will get used to the fresh air and natural conditions.

Such cuttings need to overwinter in the same box. It is buried in the garden at a level with the ground, the cuttings themselves must be sprinkled with sawdust, pine needles or peat. In the spring, they are planted in a temporary place for growing. The seedlings will be ready for planting in a permanent place in 2 years. This is not the shortest time, but a good method.

Apple cuttings

Cutting an apple tree in spring can be done in another way: using a champagne bottle. Here the algorithm of actions is different. The shoot is cut off completely, then placed in a bottle filled with boiled water cooled to normal temperature. The shoot is placed in a bottle, the hole is sealed with garden varnish or wax. The bottle should be placed in a hole in a well-lit area. Cut the shoot, leaving only 3 buds above the ground. Cover the top with foil or put a plastic bottle with a cut off the bottom. Further, the care is the same - to ventilate and water if necessary.

Important! The apple trees are propagated by cuttings in the spring - this is a prerequisite. In 2-3 years, such a seedling should form a good root system.

How to get a seedling from an old apple tree

In winter (no later than 2 months before sap flow), you need to perform the following operation: on good branches with wood no older than 2 years, break the branch. Moreover, it is desirable to do this so that the bark remains intact. The optimal length of future shoots is 20 cm.

Breaking a twig

The place of scrapping must be wrapped with grafting film, electrical tape or something similar.If possible, put a kind of tire, for example, wire, on the branch. In the spring, the tree will direct its forces to heal the wound, which will help to gain strength for future seedlings. During active sap flow, cuttings should be cut and placed in a dark plastic bottle filled with water (or snow) about 6 cm.A couple of activated carbon tablets can be thrown into the water. Put the container in a warm, bright place (for example, on a window), and after 3-4 weeks you get the so-called seedlings. You can plant it on the street when the roots reach 6-7 centimeters in length.

How to grow an apple seedling in other ways

How to plant an apple tree

Experienced gardeners are looking for easier and more interesting methods of growing apple seedlings. One of them is to propagate the apple tree by cuttings grown in the potato tuber. You need to take a large tuber (ideally without eyes, or cut them yourself) and stick the prepared branch into it. The tuber is placed in the ground, moistened, covered with a jar and placed in a warm, bright place. The only action that needs to be taken is to moisten the earth. As practice shows, cuttings root quite quickly with this method. The cutting will take all the nutrients it needs from the tuber.

Important! All the methods described are also suitable for pear propagation.

Propagating an apple tree by cuttings, layering or a branch is not the most difficult thing. Yes, perhaps not the easiest, but definitely worth a try. You may have to master several ways before you find the perfect one. As a rule, a positive outcome is guaranteed in most cases. Usually, only those who are not looked after at all die. If all the necessary conditions are met, you can grow your own apple orchard from your favorite varieties.