These small, dark seeds contain the genetic material for a new apple tree, but due to extreme heterozygosity, they will not produce fruit identical to the parent. Orchardists discard them in commercial production, relying entirely on grafting to propagate known varieties. Breeders, however, meticulously harvest and stratify them to develop new commercial cultivars.
Heard on the job
We need to put this batch of apple seed through cold stratification for at least sixty days before sowing.
Insider tip
Planting an apple seed will almost certainly yield a tree with bitter, unpalatable fruit suitable only for cider or livestock.
Also heard as
- pip