Apple tree seedlings – growing, varieties and care

Apple tree seedlings – the most popular varieties

• Idared – large, red apples with excellent keeping quality.
• Szampion – sweet-and-sour, juicy fruit.
• Gala – delicate, sweet flavour with a red-and-yellow blush.
• Gloster – disease-resistant apples with a red-green colour.
• Golden Delicious – sweet, yellow apples, ideal for eating and preserves.
• Lobo – juicy red fruit.
• Jonagold – large apples with a balanced sweet-and-sour taste.
• Szara Reneta – aromatic apples, excellent for preserves.
• Oliwka Żółta – a less common but exceptional variety with a distinctive flavour.

Apple tree seedlings – rootstocks: the key to tree size and health

• M7 – medium-sized tree, disease-resistant.
• P14 – medium-sized, for denser orchards.
• M26 – dwarfing rootstock, makes harvesting and intensive growing easier.
• M9 – very dwarfing, ideal for small orchards and intensive production.

Fertilising apple trees – what is worth knowing?

Proper fertilising is key to the tree’s health and fruit quality:

• In spring it is worth applying nitrogen fertilisers, which stimulate shoot and leaf growth.
• In summer apply potassium and phosphorus fertilisers, which support fruit development and sweetness.
• In autumn use phosphorus-potassium fertilisers, which help the tree prepare for winter.
• Organic fertilisers such as compost or manure improve soil structure and nutrient availability.
• Regular liming of the soil is also important, especially if it is acidic.

Pruning apple trees – how and when?

Pruning apple trees is essential in order to:

• maintain the right tree shape,
• remove diseased, damaged and unnecessary branches,
• improve light access to the crown,
• increase yield and fruit quality.

Pruning times:

• Spring (before the growing season starts) – removing branches damaged in winter, shaping the crown.
• Summer (June–July) – shortening shoots to limit growth and improve fruiting.
• Autumn – in most cases autumn pruning is limited so as not to weaken the tree before winter.

Apple tree diseases and how to prevent them

The most common apple tree diseases are:

• Apple scab – shows as dark spots on leaves and fruit. It is prevented with copper sprays or fungicides.
• Apple powdery mildew – a white coating on leaves and shoots. It can be controlled with sulphur products.
• Apple canker – rot of the bark and wounds. It requires removing infected parts of the tree and using protective products.
• Aphids and other pests – regular checks and the use of insecticides help keep the tree healthy.

Growing apple trees is a rewarding hobby and a source of healthy fruit. By choosing the right variety and rootstock, fertilising regularly, pruning and protecting the tree against diseases, you will secure abundant harvests for many years. Remember that an apple tree needs systematic care, but the results are worth it.

Apple tree seedlings – care calendar

Early spring (March – April)

• Check the tree’s condition after winter – remove damaged and dry branches.
• Carry out formative pruning of the crown.
• Apply sprays against diseases, e.g. copper-based.
• Nitrogen fertilising to stimulate growth.

Spring (April – May)

• Watch for the first pests, such as aphids.
• Insecticide sprays if needed.
• Watering young trees during drought.
• Supplementary phosphorus-potassium fertilising.

Summer (June – July)

• Summer pruning – shorten shoots to improve light and air access.
• Monitoring and controlling fungal diseases (apple powdery mildew).
• Regular watering.

Autumn (September – October)

• Fruit harvest.
• Phosphorus-potassium fertilising to prepare the tree for winter.
• Removing fallen leaves and fruit to limit sources of infection.
• Protection against winter damage – securing the trunk against rodents.

Winter (November – February)

• Checking the tree’s condition, especially for mechanical damage and disease.
• You can do light pruning if the weather allows.