To Plant Seedling apple or not?

[Bowsnbucks]

I have an apple tree started from seed that was stratified in damp paper towels in my frig. It's been in a 3 gal pot in good rich, compost-enriched soil for 3 months now. I moved it outdoors 2 weeks ago and it's seen sun, breeze, rain, etc. It's gotten more ridged & " woody " since being outside. It's 15" tall now. Should I plant it this fall ( Sept. )-ish ? Or bring in for winter & plant in spring ? First time trying it. Apple guys ??

 

[Bowsnbucks]

North-central Pa. Zone 5/6 border. 50 minutes south of N.Y. line.

 

[THunter]

Plant it this Fall.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

This fall it is then. Thanks for the suggestions guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I've had decent luck by growing seedlings in pots in my yard for the summer and then plant them outside later in the fall. But sometimes I get busy and never get around to planting them until the following spring. I've had some survive and some die with each method, so I say just plant them when you have the time and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Is Sept. too early, or should I wait until late Oct. - early Nov. to get into dormancy?

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I think it would be safer to wait until they're dormant and then plant them. I'd wait until they lose their leaves and then plant them.

 

[SmallChunk]

I actually had pretty good luck planting my seedlings last year in June. All were in an area easy to get water to though. 5/8 made it through at least until the last time i was down there.

 

[Jordan Selsor]

Are you gonna let this tree grow as a wild apple or graft a desired apple to it?

 

[Bowsnbucks]

As a wild apple. I never hatched one from seed before. Just want to see what it develops into, & it'll be for deer feeding. When I first posted this thread, it was 15" tall. Now it's 21" tall. From the look of the leaves, I'm guessing it's a crab of some sort.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Question - My apple seedling is now 30 1/2" tall and has single leaves from the soil in the pot up to the top. When I plant this thing this fall, should I pinch/cut off the leaves up to, say, 6 or 8 inches from the top when I plant it? Or should I wait until spring? ( they are just single leaves attached to the trunk ). Or is there another track to take? Apple guys............?

 

[Turkey Creek]

The leaves will fall off themselves. I assume you are wondering about gettting limbs to grow?

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Yep. I didn't know if there was something I should do to ready the seedling for pushing limbs. I never planted a seedling in the fall B4 so I didn't want to miss an important step. I know spring-planted trees get pruned at planting, usually.