Can You Start a Crabapple Tree From Seeds or Cuttings?
Crabapple (Malus angustifolia) is a small, deciduous tree that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 9, depending on the variety. Over 600 varieties of crabapple trees are grown throughout the country. The fruit of the crabapple tree is less than 2 inches in diameter. A tree that produces fruit larger than 2 inches is considered an apple tree. You can propagate a crabapple tree from seeds or cuttings.
Collect the seeds of crabapple trees in the fall when the fruit is ripe. The seeds must be fully developed before they will sprout. Crabapple seeds are called pips. Separate the pips from the fruit and wash them to remove the apple flesh. Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel. The seeds must go through a period of cold temperatures to simulate winter temperatures. This is called stratification. Mix the seeds with peat moss and put the mix in a storage bag. Place the bag in the bottom of the refrigerator for three months. Check the seeds occasionally for mold and remove any seeds that are infected. If any of the seeds start sprouting, remove them and plant them as soon as possible.
Growing From Seeds
Crabapple seeds need a rich soil made from a mixture of quality potting soil, peat moss and perlite. Fill a container with the potting mix and push the seeds into the soil. Cover them with a fine layer of potting mix. Water the seeds and set them in a bright, warm location. Keep the soil mixture slightly moist but not wet. Cover the container with clear plastic to form a makeshift greenhouse. Check the seeds for germination and remove the plastic when most of the seeds have germinated. Thin out the seedlings and transplant the healthy ones to another container, if you wish. Once the seedlings are about 6 inches tall, transplant them into separate containers. Pinch back the tops to promote branching. When the saplings reach a height of about 12 to 18 inches, acclimate the young trees to the outdoor environment.
Care of Saplings
Move the saplings outdoors, in the shade, for short periods when temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lengthen the amount of time an hour each day. After about a week of continuous outdoor growing, slowly move the saplings out of the shade for a few hours a day. When the saplings can withstand direct sunlight, plant them in the landscape where you desire. Mark the young trees with a brightly colored garden tape or other visible structure to avoid damage during mowing. Not all seeds will come true to the parent tree as many hybrid crabapple trees are developed from a cross between several varieties.
You can clone your crabapple tree from softwood cuttings taken from the current year's growth. The wood of a softwood cutting is pliable and may still be slightly green. The wood bends easily and snaps when bent in half. Choose a healthy specimen from which to take cuttings. Use a sharp pair of pruning shears or a utility knife to cut an 8- to 12- inch section off a stem. Make the cut at an angle to identify the tops from the basal, or bottom, ends.
Strip the softwood cuttings of all but the top set of leaves. You must wound the basal end of the cutting by removing the outer bark on the bottom 3 inches of the stem. The stem will form a callus that helps generate root growth. Use a rooting hormone to speed the process. Nurseries and garden centers carry the hormone in liquid and powder form. Follow the package directions to coat the wounded end of the cuttings with the hormone. Stick the cuttings in a tray filled with moist, coarse sand. Cover the growing container with clear plastic and place it in a sunny window. Keep the cuttings moist until roots develop. As the roots form, they anchor the cuttings into the sand. It takes about four weeks for the stems to form roots. Check for roots by giving the cuttings a gentle pull. You will feel some resistance if there are roots. You might also notice new growth on the cutting.
Care of New Crabapple Trees
Transplant the new crabapple trees into separate containers when the root ball is about the size of a large marble. Use a quality potting mix. Acclimate the new trees as you did the seedlings when the trees are about 12 inches tall. Prune the young trees slightly to promote branching. These cuttings will be an exact clone of the parent crabapple tree.
- Landscape America: Flower Crabapple Trees
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Germination of Tree Seed
- National Gardening Association: Crab Apple
- Texas A&M University Agrilife Research: Propagation of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines
- The Conservation Volunteers: How to Grow Crab Apple
Julie Richards is a freelance writer from Ohio. She has been writing poetry and short stories for over 30 years, and published a variety of e-books and articles on gardening, small business and farming. She is currently enrolled at Kent State University completing her bachelor's degree in English.