Have you ever wondered what would happen if you planted an apple seed from the fruit you just ate? Would you get the same kind of apple, or something completely different? The answer may surprise you.
Apple seeds do not grow true to their parent variety, meaning that the offspring may have different characteristics and qualities than the original apple. This is because apples are cross-pollinated by insects, so the seeds contain genes from two different apple trees. Most apple varieties we know and love are genetic anomalies that have been cloned by grafting, a process of attaching a branch from one tree to the rootstock of another.
Planting apple seeds is like playing the lottery, as you never know what kind of apple you will get. Some may be tasty, some may be good for cider, and some may be inedible. “The apple is a very promiscuous fruit. It will cross with anything nearby.” said Dr. Roger Way, a renowned apple breeder. “Grafting is the only way to guarantee the fruit will come out the same. The reason you graft is because then you know exactly what you’re going to get.” added Dr. Dugald Close, a senior lecturer in fruit production and viticulture.
But planting apple seeds is not impossible, nor is it without its rewards. You may discover a new variety that no one else has ever tasted, or you may create a mini Sun in your backyard. Yes, you read that right. A mini Sun. Scientists in South Korea have recently achieved temperatures nearly seven times hotter than the core of the Sun by sustaining a nuclear fusion reaction for 30 seconds. And guess what? They used apple seeds as a source of fuel.
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a compound that can release cyanide when chewed or digested. Eating too many apple seeds can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in extreme cases, death. But apple seeds also have a positive side. They are rich in phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, which have high antioxidant activity and potential benefits for human health. And they can also be used to generate energy by fusion, a process that involves fusing two light nuclei to form a heavier one, releasing a huge amount of heat and light.
“Apple seeds are rich in phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, which have high antioxidant activity and potential benefits for human health.” said Dr. Maria Laura Colombo and colleagues, authors of the article “Apple seeds: A potential source of useful bioactive phytochemicals”. “The number of seeds per apple varies, but an apple with eight seeds has about 3.92 milligrams of cyanide. A person weighing 70 kilograms would need to eat 143 seeds to reach the lethal dose.” explained Dr. Jillian Kubala, a registered dietitian. “The best way to enjoy apples and their seeds safely is to core the apple or cut it into slices, discarding the seeds. You can also spit out the seeds as you eat the apple.” she advised.
But if you are feeling adventurous, you can also try to grow an apple tree from a seed in your backyard. You will need to collect some seeds from ripe apples, preferably organic ones, and store them in a paper bag in a cool and dry place. You will also need to refrigerate the seeds for at least six weeks before planting, as they need cold stratification, a period of chilling, to break dormancy and germinate. Then, you can sow the seeds in pots filled with moist soil, and place them in a sunny spot. Water them regularly, and wait for the seedlings to emerge. You may need to transplant them to a bigger pot or a garden bed as they grow.
It may take several years for your apple tree to bear fruit, and you may need to prune it and protect it from pests and diseases. But when you finally see the apples, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and wonder. You may even want to name your new variety, and share it with your friends and family. Who knows, you may have created the next Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Or you may have grown a mini Sun that can light up the night sky. Just don’t try to eat it.
Relevant articles:
– TIL that if you plant an apple seed, there’s only a 1/80,000 chance the tree it becomes will produce the same kind of apple you took it from – much less even produce apples desirable for eating., u/Drunk_Monkey on Reddit, January 31, 2013
– How to grow an apple tree from a seed in your backyard, The Conversation, November 2, 2023
– Apple seeds: A potential source of useful bioactive phytochemicals, Food Chemistry, November 1, 2023
– Why you should never eat apple seeds, Healthline, October 28, 2023