Apple.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous fruit tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

5 to 8 meters

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Entretien

Plant in well draining soil with plenty of sun to ensure fruit production. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids or fungal issues such as apple scab. Regular pruning helps maintain tree shape and encourages better air circulation.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to support fruit development.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune during late winter dormancy to remove dead wood and shape the canopy.

Repotting

Repotting is generally only for young trees or those kept in large containers.

Soil

Loamy, well draining

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.

Fragrance

strong

Deer and rabbits

low

Sécurité

People

The plant is generally safe, but the seeds are toxic if consumed in significant amounts.

Pets

The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.

Children

The small, hard seeds pose a potential choking hazard for very young children.

Contact allergens

Some people may experience mild contact dermatitis from handling the leaves or bark.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals during the spring bloom.

Edibility

Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed or crushed, so avoid eating them in large quantities.

Comment l'identifier

• Oval leaves with serrated margins
• Fragrant white or pink spring flowers
• Round, fleshy pome fruits
• Rough, greyish brown bark

Height

3 to 8m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, 3 to 5cm

Fruit

red, green, yellow, Late summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Apple Scab — A fungal infection causing dark, scabby spots on leaves and fruit.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth and cause leaf curling.
• Fire Blight — A bacterial disease that makes branches look scorched or burned.

La cultiver

Propagation

grafting, budding

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from temperature swings. Prune during the dormant winter months to prepare for spring growth.

In containers

Dwarf varieties can grow well in large containers, provided the pot is at least 20 gallons to accommodate root growth.

Planting a diverse mix of herbs and flowers around the base of your tree helps create a balanced ecosystem that keeps pests in check.

Bonnes associations

• Chives — Chives are thought to help deter apple scab and aphids.
• Dill — Dill attracts beneficial predatory wasps that hunt apple pests.
• Nasturtium — These act as a trap crop for aphids, keeping them away from the tree.

À éloigner de

• Potato — Both plants can share soil borne diseases like verticillium wilt.

Espèces similaires

• Crabapple — These are closely related and often used as pollinators for domestic apples.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Malus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central Asia, specifically the mountains of Kazakhstan.

Conservation

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

In the wild, apple trees rely on animals to eat their fruit and disperse seeds through their droppings.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source

Pollinators

bees, moths, beetles

Uses

culinary fruit, ornamental blossoms, cider production

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Do I need two trees to get fruit?

Most apple trees require a different variety nearby for cross pollination to produce a good crop.

When is the best time to prune?

Pruning is best done in late winter while the tree is dormant.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Malus is the Latin word for apple tree, while domestica refers to its long history of cultivation by humans.

Bon à savoir

• There are over 7,500 known varieties of apples grown worldwide.
• Apples float in water because they are 25 percent air.
• It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.
• Apple trees take 4 to 8 years to produce their first fruit when grown from seed.