This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Apple Tree Propogation
Mr BB
Posts: 21
in Fruit & veg
Hi guys Hopefully someone can provide me with some info on apple tree propogation as I have zero experience in this area. I have a tree that the previous owner would like a cutting from as it has sentimental value. What is the simplest way to making baby trees from the big one? Thanks for your help. 
0
Posts
Mr BB,
I'd say it's more bother than it's worth.
You need to graft the top stock onto a rootstock.
You say you have "zero experience" . I've been gardening for over 40 years,and I'd not attempt it. Maybe someone else will come along with a better idea.
Good luck.
You would need to wait to next winter then choose a root stock for the size of tree you would like. Then you would take a cutting from your apple tree, this is called a scion you then would graft this on to the root stock. It takes skill but can be done. I have done it myself.
It does take skill, very sharp grafting knife, binding tape and its best to dip the entire graft in to molten grafting wax to seal against infection. Going off on a tangent here but I have just had grafted 4 scions from foundling tree.. a tree grown from a discarded pip... a very emotive example of this occurring is close to where I grew up in the south of England. I use to play on a track that use to be a railway used to ferry soldiers to departure to fight in the great war. Each one was given a apple as a snack before they left on the train, of course many consumed the apple straight away and cast the core out of the window from those thousands of cores a line of apple trees grew which I consider to be a monument to those killed or seriously injured.
These trees are conking out them selves so I wanted to preserve them and hopefully one may be a reasonable eater!?
What a lovely idea
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
if the previous owner wants a cutting let them come and take the cutting, that way if it fails (and it prob will unless they are a master grafter) its nothing to do with you!
Contact www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk. We graft all our own fruit trees and offer a grafting service. You will need to provide the scion wood and then we will graft on to the rootstock of your choice. You have missed the grafting window for this season. Apple grafting is generally done here ( South) Feb sort of time depending on the weather.