Malus "Fuji" from seed.

I was cutting a Fuji apple for my kids a few weeks ago and found that the seeds inside had sprouted. I put them in a little pot with my standard bonsai soil mix and, viola, I have apple seedlings. They are about three inches tall now and doing well. However I am concerned that this species will not do well in zone 9b.

I think the major concern for this is a sufficient dormant period in winter. That's probably not going to happen naturally here. I remember reading once a post on another forum that suggested using a fridge for creating an artificial winter for temperate species.

Does anybody know anything about this and how crazy of an idea is it really.

Thanks everyone.

Ed

It might be fun to grow the apples on for the kids, but you are correct that they will not get the dormant period they need to be healthy unless you have unused refrigerator space. Even the "Isrealii" apples that are supposed to need less of a dormant period for us will eventually wear out if we have a few warm winters in a row.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast
(Titusville, FL)

Billy, that's the point of my question. I have a stand up freezer in my garage. It's mostly empty and I can set it for just at freezing (32* F).

What I need to know is if this is really a viable option. I've actually read it in a couple of places that you can create dormancy in a freezer for temperate species. I would like to know if anybody here has experience with this. If not then I guess I will be the first here.

I will be sure to post next spring when I find out what happens.

Ed

It should be an interesting experiment. Please keep good notes and make it into a magazine article for the Florida journal.

BTW, were you at the convention?

If you don't attend the Orlando club meeting maybe you would like to attend ours in Melbourne.

I know it is a long drive but you could stop at my place in Mims and then ride with us.

Our next meeting is April 18th, but I will miss it due to a wedding. (Not mine, a young woman next door.)

We will have a picnic and auction the next weekend April 25. Also in south Brevard.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast