Here is a new random seedling apple i have. What should i graft it over to be? I didnt plant this one it just came up. I may just leave it for the blue jays to eat.
I’d keep it, if it volunteerd in my orchard. But that’s because, while we grew up on fairytales featuring wild crab apples at every corner(Like the king sending his sons on a journey to prove themselves and the elder brothers bullying the 7th or 12th son, denying him food. And this one surviving on tiny bitter crab apples then saves the day, etc.,blah, blah, blah.), malus sylvestris is actually disappearing from our nature. In fact, most apple trees you will find in our wilderness are seedlings of cultural apples planted via discarded apple cores , or maybe bear poop.
I planted many wild apples and many of my fruits i bred to be prolific. Those who grow my new varities know they are more wild than they are tame. I tend to give nature a hand. These wild apples may become more common than elm trees. I suppose i could make some crosses with them to make them even more prolific. These may be some escapees of one of my many projects.
There is a apple I call F5 (5th tree on row F) from a extremely old abandoned orchard that I was allowed to sample from. I only tried it once but it was the best apple I have ever tried, it was its texture was like a super crisp watermelon and very sweet. I don’t know about its consistency, but maybe try a branch to it?
Would love to see the results of trying a cross, the texture is what is incredible to me.
Have leftover over scions from this spring, but you probably don’t want them. Probably collect more next year.
Would have no problem with that. Would love to see 39thparallel’s trees, but don’t know if he allows visitors?
i bet those would make great apple butter or sauce. our grouse absolutely love crab apples here. nothing to see a doz. in a tree when the apples ripen.
Interesting crisp, sweet apple? Yeah, if I could I’d like to try some scions next year if I could. Plently of ancient apple rootstock for me to graft onto.
@steveb4 @CAvocado @KS_razerback @Tana
Kansas may become known as apple state if we have enough time and @39thparallel and I coordinate. When Mike and I get together it is hard to tell what type of trees will get grown. We grow aronia, jujube, persimmon, pawpaw, autumn olive , grapes, cherries, various berries and more apples and pears then you all want to know about. Collectively we grow some of the rarest unique fruits and vegetables in the country and share them back and forth often since he lives close by. We have our unique pet projects. We also stay in close contact with @tonyOmahaz5 who is a wealth of knowledge and always willing to work with us on developing new unique fruits or vegetables. Hard saying what we might grow if we are given enough time and motivation.
I would love that.
I’m working at my area at making fruit trees a common uccurance.
Your F5 apple sounds like a winner. I would love to see pictures of it. Your welcome to visit sometime, just shoot me a message.
Ok, thanks. I didn’t take a picture of the fruit last year, but they were smaller (3in)red rounded apples. I’ll try taking a picture this fall.
Got permission and looked at the orchard again. The F5 tree stood out because of extensive japanese beetle damage.
I bit into a green apple and it is definitely a lot easier to bite through than the rest.
Thats a good sign when the japanese beetle target a tree. They know the good trees that are higher in sugar. @39thparallel could give you a list of those apples.