Apples are one of the most popular fruits we purchase. Different varieties grow well in different regions of our country. From Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples grown in Washington, to Anna and Dorsett Gold apples grown in Arizona, apple varieties have been bred to adapt to a variety of climates.
Unlike many fruit trees that can be grown from seeds, apples must be grafted to obtain the same variety. If you plant an apple seed, or pip, the seedling will not resemble the parent tree. This is known as “heterozygosity”. Apple seeds have a high diversity of genetic material which causes each seed to produce a unique apple variety.
The reason for this genetic diversity is to allow apples to adapt to different environments. Some seeds produce apple trees that can withstand colder climates, while other seeds produce ones only suited for warmer climates. When growing wild, depending upon the climate where the apple seeds sprouted, they either lived or died.
Each seedling is a unique variety that may or may not be reproduced again by another seed. To grow the same apple, a piece of the desired apple tree, called a scion, is cut and grafted to a sturdy apple variety with good root stock. By grafting, apple varieties with desirable traits can be grown. Thousands of apple varieties have been created over the centuries.
This fall, you might want to plant an apple tree in your yard.
Perhaps a garden club member would like to write a blog about their apple tree and why they like it. Send your blog and a photo (name of photographer) to azgardenblog@gmail.com. We love receiving members’ blogs!
By Karen Bowen
Karen is Pacific Region Butterfly Chairman and member of Yuma Orchid and African Violet Society.
Photo 1 Karen Bowen
‘Anna’ is an apple variety that grows well in warm areas of Arizona. It ripens in summer and is similar in flavor to a Golden Delicious apple.
Photo 2 Minneapa Co.
Apple trees are produced by grafting scions, or cuttings, from a desirable tree to another apple tree with good root stock.
