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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Oct 28, 2008 8:56:39 GMT
A colleague of mine has acquired an apple from the very tree under which Sir Isaac Newton Newton is reputed to have sat whilst musing about gravity. Altho we understand that the story about the apple falling on his head is most probably a myth, or just a way of explaining the force of gravity...it's still a TREE OF LEGEND! and as scientists...we are keen to try and grow something from the pips...so I need to pick your brains ;D
Are these very old apple trees grown on root stock like they are in modern times?...
What sort of growth medium should my friend use?
Do the seeds need a period of cold?
What are the chances of the seed being viable?
Thankyou X
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 7, 2008 8:19:19 GMT
A colleague of mine has acquired an apple from the very tree under which Sir Isaac Newton Newton is reputed to have sat whilst musing about gravity. Altho we understand that the story about the apple falling on his head is most probably a myth, or just a way of explaining the force of gravity...it's still a TREE OF LEGEND! and as scientists...we are keen to try and grow something from the pips...so I need to pick your brains ;D Are these very old apple trees grown on root stock like they are in modern times?... What sort of growth medium should my friend use? Do the seeds need a period of cold? What are the chances of the seed being viable? Thankyou X How exciting is that CPB  lets hope someone can help. UPDATE.....Just done a quick google for growing apples from seed well it looks possible, the growing of them seems farely easy but takes ages to get a tree obviously and there is no gaurentee what you'll end up with......Mmmmm we need some expert help here I reckon  |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 7, 2008 9:13:57 GMT
Oh wow! That's so exciting - I want one!!! ;D I hope you get some good advice coz I'm afraid I can't offer any, other than perhaps trying different seeds in different ways. From my limited experience I've found that apple pips germinate fairly easily but it's the future growing that needs proper consideration.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Nov 7, 2008 18:05:22 GMT
That is amazing CPB... a three hundred-odd year old apple tree...
Some answers: grafting was known at the time, so it may be on a rootstock.
The pips may well germinate and be a joyful talking point.
As for medium and seed treatment, it's a woefully unpredictable process, but I'd spread the chances by sowing say three pips at a time in differing circumstances.
Any resultant apples (and trees) will not necessarily be as per the parent but will still be from the parent.
If you wanted to be sure of a fruit 'true' to the one that fell on Old Isaac's head, you should get your friend to revisit the tree and get a 'budstick' - a piece of current year's growth - and have a go at grafting some time.
OM.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Nov 11, 2008 17:44:39 GMT
I knew I'd seen a charming story re. just this sort of thing, and found it in 'Forgotten Fruits'... so by way of encouragement CPB:
... around 1825 he planted some seeds from a Ribston Pippin, and the seedlings bore fruit a few years later. Like most apples grown from seed they were quite different from their parent, and one in particular stood out for its wonderful flavour. In 1836 he gave some grafts of the young tree to one of his neighbours, and by the end of the 19th century it had become one of the most popular apples in Britain. His name was Richard Cox, and his apple became known as Cox's Orange Pippin, today the most widely grown apple in the world...
Off you go.
OM.
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Nov 11, 2008 19:31:40 GMT
Update.... Out of three apples she got TWO PIPS  She's keeping both  and is having a go....watch this space... and thank you for the advice. |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Mar 3, 2010 19:17:11 GMT
We've planted the dwarf apple tree in the ground now...it just felt cruel keeping it in a pot...it seems to like it... ;D  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Mar 3, 2010 19:17:55 GMT
Oh and my mate's apple pips from 'Newton's Apple tree' didn't germinate...  |
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Post by Mowhay on Mar 5, 2010 20:27:46 GMT
Oh what a shame CPB, I grew a tree from pips for each of my two daughters one is 25 years old and the other 22 ( trees not daughters) the apples were golden delicious and although the apples on the trees are green they are more like Granny Smiths, so as Oldmoleskins says you cannot guarantee the fruit. But what a talking point that would have been?
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Mar 6, 2010 19:17:10 GMT
I have a devious plan to go back there this autumn....  |
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lets hope someone can help.
and is having a go....watch this space...
