Apple tree advice please???

[Mozza]

If i was to take a cutting of an apple tree and put it in a pot, Would it sprout roots and grow??

 

Cheers

 

Moz

[Dionysus]

maybe try putting it in water with the root growth formula powder you can get? i dunno about just sticking it straight in soil.

[Bart]

Depends on if its a hard or soft wood cutting, probably the wrong time of year for hard wood, but the soft should strike if its kept warm and humid, like Dionysus says use a rooting powder. Lots of apple trees are grafted onto a different root stock, so a cutting may not have the vigour of the parent tree.

[ScottF]

Graft it or get someone to graft it for you onto an appropriate root stock. Pick a root stock that will produce a tree which will suit the confines of your site.

 

Is there any particular reason why you want to propagate the tree in the first place? Is it a nice eater, a rare breed, one of personal significance, or did you just fancy having a go?

[Mozza]

Graft it or get someone to graft it for you onto an appropriate root stock. Pick a root stock that will produce a tree which will suit the confines of your site.

 

Is there any particular reason why you want to propagate the tree in the first place? Is it a nice eater, a rare breed, one of personal significance, or did you just fancy having a go?

 

A mate of mine has got a really nice apple tree and i just fancied having a go at taking a cutting but im wondering if it will work?

 

Hes also got a nice apple blossom and im thinking about giving that a go too, Again im not sure the best way to go about it or even if it will work!!

 

Cheers

[ScottF]

It should work. You'd be surprised what can grated onot what. I know a guy here in Wales who's grafted a selected of tree fruit- apples, pears, plums etc- onto a hawthorn hedge. Looks mad, but grows fine.

 

You can buy rootstocks to suit your site, so if the trees are to go into a smallish garden, get semi-dwarfing, or get a more vigourous stock if you've got more space. Try to find someone who can show you how to graft. Looking for a local estate with an old-school gardener might be a good place to start, or try local nurseries or gardening clubs.

 

Best of luck.

 

S

[Andy Collins]

Here's a link that may help: Grafting fruit trees - Gardening advice from the RHS

[Mozza]

Cheers guys, very helpful of you, ill have a go and see what happens!!

[raafbeard]

I know a guy here in Wales who's grafted a selected of tree fruit- apples, pears, plums etc- onto a hawthorn hedge.

 

That sounds very cool!! Would love to be able to try that out one day!!

[Meep]

Try using Honey rather then rooting power if your going to take a cutting works a treat.

 

The other option is to make your own Branch cutting pot, you can buy them over the net, but its always more fun to try yourself. Get a normal black garden pot about three or four inches in diameter cut in half-length ways.

 

Tie a price of string or plastic around the branch just below where you would like to take the cutting.

 

Gently remove some of the bark about an inch and rub with honey, put the cut pot around the tie and exposed bark.

 

Tape the pot together, add compost and water, keep watering when required. Hopefully if all goes well in 12-16weeks this should start to root in the pot and you can cut the pot off the tree below the tie and you have a new plant.

 

You may need to support the pot to ensure its straight but try it works great

 

Your tree can look a little stilly with pots tape to it but if you want a true tree rather then grafting working really well.

 

This works really well for bonsai trees as well.