Pea Stick Apple

[maytreefrannie]

During Winter of 2008-2009 I grew some peas and used apple tree prunings to support them. The peas didn't produce at all but one of the apple sticks has now got a good root and is starting to bud.

Any chance of actually getting an apple tree eventually.

[FB.]

Ah!
You've managed to get an apple tree cutting to root.
It varies from almost impossible to fairly easy (rootstocks and root suckers will often root from cuttings). Ease of self-rooting is very depending on the variety.
Most apples fall into the "difficult-to-root" category, although if you plant enough cuttings of a reasonable size, the element of chance may allow one or two to root, but most will die.

If it has grown it's own roots, there is a very good chance that it will survive and grow into a tree that produces the same fruit as the original tree.

The lack of grafted rootstock might make it more or less vigorous than it's mother tree and may also increase the time required to bear fruit.
But it is claimed that ungrafted fruit trees (from cuttings) tend to produce better fruit and are healthier than grafted trees.

May I ask a few questions (although you may not know all the answers):

Which variety of apple tree did it come from?
How many cuttings died, while this one grew?
How big was this cutting when you planted it?
What time of year did you plant it?
How long has it taken to root?
How did you treat it before sticking it in the ground?
What kind of soil do you have?

Anything else worth knowing?

Thanks,
FB

[maytreefrannie]

Which variety of apple tree did it come from?
How many cuttings died, while this one grew?
How big was this cutting when you planted it?
What time of year did you plant it?
How long has it taken to root?
How did you treat it before sticking it in the ground?
What kind of soil do you have?

Anything else worth knowing?

Thanks,
FB

Apple variety - I can't remember just now and will post the name when I do.

5 cuttings came to nothing, this one is looking good (note - I never checked the others for rooting or budding signs, they were chucked out last year).

About 2 feet when I planted it - some inches of that went in the soil.

Time of planting - October 2008.

Not sure how long it took to root - I think it had started rooting last spring/summer - a couple of buds showed, that's why I left it there (in a big plastic container).

Didn't treat it at all before using it as a pea stick.

We have clay soil in the garden - the little apple stick is growing in a plastic container - I set the peas in it using our own clay soil mixed with compost.

If I think of anything else worth knowing, I'll post.

I'm off now to check up apple varieties - I know I'd remember the name if I saw it. Meantime, thank you for your interest.