Apple as browse?

[homerj]

The cheapest way to get a bunch of apple seeds would probably be from a cider maker. You'd also have to deal with the pressings though.

 

[Teeder]

The cheapest way to get a bunch of apple seeds would probably be from a cider maker. You'd also have to deal with the pressings though.

How about tilling the whole mash in? Then you wouldn't have to dig through for the seeds.

 

[Teeder]

I've been thinking about doing something like this, but with a variety of bushes, with the goal of increased bedding and a side benefit for birds and browse.

 

[Catscratch]

Made an order yesterday...

White Mulberry
Smooth Sumac
Staghorn Sumac
Elderberry
Black Elderberry
Choke Cherry
American Plum
Bittenfelder Apple
Common Apple
Siberian Crab
Not ordered but I'll throw in several Hedge Apples.

I didn't order much of each. I'll probably disc, broadcast, drag. Then throw down an exclusion cage and walk away.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Excited to see how it turns out!

 

[Catscratch]

And on a whim I google apple cider makers in KS (not expecting to find any), and found one less than an hour from me. I've sent them an email...

 

[T-Max]

And on a whim I google apple cider makers in KS (not expecting to find any), and found one less than an hour from me. I've sent them an email...

I know the cider mill in Louisburg is big big, yet small enough they may entertain a request.

 

[Turkey Creek]

I am interested in seeing how the direct seeding goes. Keep in mind that wild, volunteer apples in KS are basically non-existent. Not like a couple other states where they seem to sprout up like weeds everywhere. I am interested in why that is the case since the wild callery pears seem to have no issue.

 

[Catscratch]

I am interested in seeing how the direct seeding goes. Keep in mind that wild, volunteer apples in KS are basically non-existent. Not like a couple other states where they seem to sprout up like weeds everywhere. I am interested in why that is the case since the wild callery pears seem to have no issue.

I'm guessing germination and growth will be low percentage for the apples. It seems that they are finicky for most people.

Here's a thread discussing potential reasons. I trust a lot of the guys on GrowingFruit to know their stuff.

https://growingfruit.org/t/why-do-apple-seedlings-die-so-easy/1543/11

 

[letemgrow]

I'm guessing germination and growth will be low percentage for the apples. It seems that they are finicky for most people.

Here's a thread discussing potential reasons. I trust a lot of the guys on GrowingFruit to know their stuff.

https://growingfruit.org/t/why-do-apple-seedlings-die-so-easy/1543/11

May be better going with chokeberry then.

I used a blender on some chokeberry fruits and the seeds were never shattered and all laying at the bottom when I drained them out.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Chokeberry as in aronia plants? Black or red ones?

 

[Tree Spud]

Have you considered adding red osier dogwood to your mix?

 

[Catscratch]

Have you considered adding red osier dogwood to your mix?

I considered Red Osier but the seed place didn't have it, and I read that it does best on wetland type environments (which doesn't bode well for the hills I plan to try this on).

 

[Tree Spud]

I considered Red Osier but the seed place didn't have it, and I read that it does best on wetland type environments (which doesn't bode well for the hills I plan to try this on).

Yes, it does prefer wetter soils. I have areas of it where it never gets higher than 12"- 18" because of the browsing.

Will be interesting to see how your experiment works out.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I'm guessing germination and growth will be low percentage for the apples. It seems that they are finicky for most people.

Here's a thread discussing potential reasons. I trust a lot of the guys on GrowingFruit to know their stuff.

https://growingfruit.org/t/why-do-apple-seedlings-die-so-easy/1543/11

I've had good luck in the past getting apples to grow from seed. I would just save the seeds from the apples I ate and then once I had a decent amount, I would put them in a ziplock bag with a wet paper towel to add some moisture to the air. Then I would put them in the freezer for a couple months and they were ready to plant.

I would get them started in pots in my backyard by putting a half dozen seeds in each pot and then eventually selecting the fastest growing seedling to keep. The germination % wasn't perfect, but it was pretty rare to get a pot that didn't have at least one growing.

 

[Catscratch]

I've had good luck in the past getting apples to grow from seed. I would just save the seeds from the apples I ate and then once I had a decent amount, I would put them in a ziplock bag with a wet paper towel to add some moisture to the air. Then I would put them in the freezer for a couple months and they were ready to plant.

I would get them started in pots in my backyard by putting a half dozen seeds in each pot and then eventually selecting the fastest growing seedling to keep. The germination % wasn't perfect, but it was pretty rare to get a pot that didn't have at least one growing.

Do they need freezer or fridge for stratification?

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

Do they need freezer or fridge for stratification?

Yes, I read somewhere that a freezing cycle will improve the germination rate.

 

[Teeder]

I've thrown whole apples into a bucket of moist sawdust and left them on my enclosed back porch for the winter. In spring I dug through the apple mush and found most of the seeds had radicles starting.

 

[Catscratch]

I've thrown whole apples into a bucket of moist sawdust and left them on my enclosed back porch for the winter. In spring I dug through the apple mush and found most of the seeds had radicles starting.

Do you think the mush could just be spread out and disced into the ground? I've read that people used to make a slurry the same way with hedge apples to make tree rows... just pour it in a shallow trough where you want the row.

 

[Teeder]

My brother has done that with hedge.
The only thing I'm not sure about is the proper temp for stratification. It may not freeze in the ground. Whether it needs to or not, I don't know.