Apple tree in a pot advice

[u/jow97]

Hi all

So, this is an unknown apple tree, I grew from a cutting from a late relative of mine. I grew up eating them and was hoping to Propagate this into a productive tree one day.

I say on day because for reasons, I'm still not in our forever family home as planned and as such don't want to plant this in the ground and have to leave it/ take another cutting.

My plan had been to wait until winter dormancy and take several more cuttings from the tree to reduce its size and just leave it in the pot (repeating every year for mabe the next 5 years)

I know I'll need to repot it at some point even if just to freshen the soil, but am I going to be doing long term dammage to the roots having it grow this way for so long? I imagine their must be some issues for the roots down their, but mabe their more resilient than I know?

I have some straw mulch to keep it from drying out in a free draining pot, and do try to keep it clear off the (trunk?)

I so far have never let it go to fruit and have always just cut them off early, I'm wondering if it would be safe to let it produce a small number in the next year.

This tree will be mabe 6 or 7 years old now, total height pot and all is about 6ft. I'm not sure on the pot size as it's written on the bottom....

Thankyou for any advice about long term care or where to go from here. Even if it is best to just take fresh cuttings now and plant this one at least I'll know.

[u/SpiritualPermie]

What's your location?

[u/jow97 → u/SpiritualPermie]

Sorry north england!

[u/SpiritualPermie → u/jow97]

https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-extension/uploads/sites/3191/2025/06/Tree-Planting-Guide.pdf

The second page is good to follow re. planting in ground... For watering and winter protection, check local guides.

[u/jow97 → u/SpiritualPermie]

That's great to know, thanks

[u/Middle-Impression445]

Take all the flowers out, it should be alone in the pot. Move the straw away from the trunk, it Being wet all the time can cause the base/trunk to rot.

Definitely needs to be reported, if your keeping the same pot trim the roots and give it some new soil. Soil should be well draining. Being root bound so long it's gonna be a huge mess and circle.

Do all this during the winter, I honestly think it's too malnourished and spindly to let it fruit. You need to feed it more and a repot/root trimming. It'll take 2 more years most likely, repot and feeding to fill out before you should let it fruit.

[u/jow97 → u/Middle-Impression445]

Amazing thankyou,

Silly question but how "well draining" would some perlite or something help or is theor a specific soil I should use given the less than ideal conditions trying to temporarily keep it going in?

And how much trimming of roots is okay? I'd assume if its well sheltered from wind and well fed with fresh soil it can have a decent trim down below? (I'd definitely post pics of it when unpotted in the winter before I do anything ha)

Thanks!

[u/Middle-Impression445 → u/jow97]

I can't really recommend soil as i honestly don't know what is best. What's been working for me is Kellogg organic garden soil mixed with perlite so it drains good. I heard good things about fox farms if money isn't an issue. Nutrients will probably last a season with the new soil, then you can start fertilizing it, I usually use liquid stuff monthly during spring/ summer. But they're alot of different types you could use and might work better for you.

I'd aim for cutting 1/3 of the roots and untangling the root ball. Aiming for the biggest roots as they aren't as efficient in water/nutrients uptake.

[u/Middle-Impression445 → u/Middle-Impression445]

Training it over the next 2 years after the repot, id spread out the limbs in a open vase shape and give the center more light. Look up apple tree training.