How to Cross Breed an Apple

Apples should be crossbred for best results.

The apple is one of the most popular types of fruit in the United States. They come in a variety of colors, ranging from pale yellow to a deep red, and have flavors ranging from sour to sweet and delicate. Like many other types of fruit, apples grow on trees. If growing your own apples intrigues you, it's important to know that in order to produce good fruit, it's highly recommended that you crossbreed at least two different apple varieties.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swab or paint brush

Instructions

1. Plant at least two different types of apple trees next to each another. It's good to have a crabapple tree as their blooms generally last longer, so it's easier to collect the pollen.

2. Rub the stamens on the inside of a crabapple bloom to collect the pollen. The stamens are easily recognizable by the small clumps of yellow pollen on the ends of them. The pollen should leave noticeable yellow powdery pollen on the swab or brush.

3. Rub the pollen against the stigma of the intended fruit-bearing tree. The stigma is located in the center of the blooms, next to the stamens, but is much longer than the stamens.

4. Repeat the process for all additional blooms.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave a small dish with honey near the trees to attract bees. Bees naturally pollinate flowers, and will likely help with cross-pollination in your apple trees. You can also keep a bee hive if you have several apple trees.

References

• Colorado State University: Pollination of Tree Fruits
• Washington State University: Pollinating Fruit Trees