"Red Delicious"

Paradise Apple is the Most Widely Cultivated Fruit Tree Around the Globe, and the Most Widely Known of the Many Members of the Genus (Malus) that are Used by Humans Today. This Relatively Small Tree is Typically 15-20' Tall, and is Cold Hardy to Zone 3. Relatively Large White Flowers about 1¼-2" Across are Produced in Small Clusters that Make a Beautiful Addition to the Landscape as Well. An Easily Grown Plant, it Succeeds in Most Fertile Soils, Preferring a Moisture Retentive Well-Draining & Loamy Soil for Optimal Fruit & Flower Production. It Can Also Grow Well in Heavy Clay Soils if Preparations are Made to Add in a bit of Perlite, or Other Well Draining Media. Paradise Apple Trees Prefer Sunny Locations, but Also Grows Well in Partial Shade...although it's Fruit Production will be a bit Less. A Parent of the Cultivated Apple, It is Occasionally Cultivated for it's Edible Fruit & Also as a Dwarfing Rootstock for Many other Cultivars of Malus. The Tree's Fruit is Also a Good Source of Food for Wildlife of All Kinds, Especially for Birds. It Also has a Gorgeous Display of Beautiful White Attractive Flowers each Spring Season.

Zones: 3-9

Paradise Apple Germination:

1) Soak seeds for 24 hours in distilled water.

2) To cold stratify, Place them in a zip lock bag of moist vermiculite, leaving an inch open for some air circulation. Check seeds periodically to ensure they do not dry out. Mist with a spray bottle to ensure they are not too wet, as that can cause rot. Mark the date on the bag, and place them inside the fridge to keep between 35-40 degrees F. This mimics their natural conditions in the wild, and provides the “false winter” Apple seeds need in order to break dormancy.

3)  Plant seeds ½ deep in a well mixed & well draining commercial seed starting mix. (Be sure to bake the soil at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes to ensure that it is sterile before planting them.

4) Use a heated propagator to keep the soil at appx. 75 degrees during the day. Turning the propagator off at night to let the temperature drop to between 65-68 degrees will also help improve germination rates.

5)  Keep moist, (Not wet), and keep a bright direct light above containers or trays, but never full sunlight at this stage.

6) Expect germination in 2-3 weeks. Keep them in filtered light for at least 3-4 weeks before starting to expose them to full sun for brief amounts of time. It is best to get them planted as soon as they sprout as the tap roots of Apple seeds do not like to be disturbed.