How to grow an apple tree from a cutting at home

When to start harvesting

Apple trees can be propagated in a variety of ways. However, the most popular method is growing them from cuttings. A key aspect of this type of propagation is choosing the right time for harvesting. This should be determined based on the following factors:

• the climate zone in which the garden is located;
• specific weather conditions (how early spring arrived this year);
• varieties, since for different varieties this procedure can be performed at different times.

For fruit trees, cuttings are taken during periods of intensive growth or flowering. This usually occurs in spring or summer (June – July).

Preparing cuttings

Many beginning gardeners often ask, "Is it possible to grow an apple tree from cuttings?" The answer is definitely yes, but you just need to know how.

Propagating apple trees by cuttings requires the preparation of planting material. Green cuttings should be one-year-old shoots. To obtain these cuttings, select the strongest and most productive apple trees that produce a tasty harvest. Suitable branches should be pruned from the mother tree. After the shoots have been cut, the following steps are performed:

• After cutting the shoot, you need to remove all the leaves from it;
• when removing them, some of the cuttings should be saved;
• each cutting should have buds (several pieces) remaining;
• If a branch has a long internode, it is recommended to leave 3-4 buds on it. If they are short, 7-8 buds are left;
• the bottom of the workpiece should be 4–6 mm lower than the location of the outermost bud;
• the cut itself is made 2–4 mm higher than the location of the upper bud.

It's worth noting that it's not recommended to prepare large quantities of planting material at once. It's important to clearly determine the number of cuttings required.

Apple trees are easily propagated by cuttings. However, care must be taken to avoid damaging either the mother plant or the cutting.

Selection of soil and fertilizers

To successfully grow apple trees from cuttings, it's important to select the right soil. The substrate is prepared by hand using a peat mixture and coarse river sand. Both components are used in equal proportions (1:1). You can also plant the green branch in soil of a different composition. For example, you can use the following components:

• granular sand;
• turf soil;
• sawdust;
• compost.

All of the above components are also taken in equal proportions. They provide the soil with moisture and air permeability, which is necessary for active root growth.

To ensure a planted branch grows into a strong young tree, it requires periodic fertilizing. This ensures that the cut shoots root quickly.

Fertilizer is added to the substrate immediately after the branch has been planted. Granular superphosphate should be used. Apply at a rate of 5 g per square meter. The subsequent fertilizing schedule is as follows:

• The second time, fertilizers are applied 3-4 weeks into the growing season. Potassium, phosphorus, or nitrogen fertilizers are used. 3 g of such fertilizers are applied per 1 square meter;
• The third application of fertilizer is done 3-4 hours after the second application. In this case, the branches are sprayed. To prepare the solution, potassium and nitrogen fertilizers are dissolved in water;
• The fourth feeding is done after 6 weeks. This time, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen fertilizers are used. 7, 4, and 9 g of each substance are applied per square meter, respectively.

With proper fertilization, the planted branch will grow and develop quickly. It's also worth noting that proper cultivation and care allow for effective propagation of apple trees at home.

Rooting instructions

To achieve rapid rooting, you must follow these instructions:

• cut branches must be immediately treated with heteroauxin, as well as preparations that stimulate root formation (for example, Zircon, Kornevin, etc.);
• The cuttings should be planted in a small, specially constructed greenhouse, covered with plastic film. The cuttings are kept in the greenhouse for 2–2.5 months;
• then the greenhouse with green branches is torn off;
• then the rooted shoots can be transplanted into open ground in a pre-prepared place in the garden.

In this way, a large number of branches can be grown at once. In open ground, care for the rooted shoots according to the standard scheme (watering, weeding, fertilizing) until they form a seedling of normal size. It usually takes one year.

Necessary conditions

Rooting of cuttings occurs only when the following conditions are created for them:

• soil permeability;
• good aeration of the substrate.

During the period when the branches are in the greenhouse, the following conditions must be met:

• humidity – close to 100%;
• air temperature – +20–30 degrees;
• soil temperature – +24–27 degrees.

For the winter, the seedling should be covered with spruce branches or any other non-woven material. This material will create optimal overwintering conditions for the young plant.

Gardener's Tips

Experienced gardeners offer the following advice on growing an apple tree from a cutting:

• use only clean gardening tools;
• the best time for harvesting apple tree planting material is June;
• for better rooting, the workpieces must be moist;
• To obtain high-quality material, the branches should be cut early in the morning;
• Fertilizers must be applied carefully, strictly adhering to the dosage. Exceeding the dosage may cause the death of the cut shoot.
• During rooting, apple tree cuttings may lose leaves. It's enough for at least one leaf to remain on the branch.

Knowing how to grow an apple tree from a green cutting allows you to save money on purchasing new seedlings and effectively update your garden.

Video: Rooting Green Cuttings

This video will show you how to properly root green cuttings.