Question
Hi,

I planted an apple last April. I used Miracle Grow potting soil and keep the little tree indoors. I live in an apartment and thus can not plant relocate the tree outdoors. Besides, I love this little tree and was very excited when one day I looked into the pot and saw the little green bud had pushed through the soil. Over time, it grew larger and leaves formed on it. I also noticed the lower part of the tree began to look brown and I noticed what resembles bark on taking up the lower 1/4 of the tree. Last October most of the leaves changed from vivid green to pea green and fell off. Only one pea colored leaf remains. The stem from this leaf to the body of the tree is green. The tip of the tree is also green. It's a very small tree, only three inches tall and the body is not thick.

The leaves fell off just as fully grown trees were losing their leaves. I know that deciduous plants lose their leaves in autumn and the trees use the stored energy to sustain them during winter drought. So I have two questions:

1. Do newly sprouted trees i.e. those only a few months old hibernate?

2. Should young indoor trees be watered during the winter months? And if so, how much water should be used?

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Joseph, For the most part, new trees will hibernate in winter.  However, indoors they may sense the light change, but not the cold change.  Also, indoor trees as well as outdoor trees should be watered during the winter, often they need less water, so I would allow the pot to begin to dry out between watering.  However, there are a few problems with growing an apple tree that you need to consider.  Apples are not going to grow well indoors; they just won't.  They need far too much light.  The fact that your leaves changed from dark to light green is indicative of not having enough light.  You might be able to do fairly well if you get it a strong grow light, but it would definitely need one.  Also, you must understand that an indoor apple would never be able to bear fruit.  Apples require a certain number of chilling hours each winter, where the temperature is below 45 degrees.  Usually an apple will need at 500 to 1000 hours below 45, and there's just no way to do that in an apartment.  As a matter of fact, I live in Texas, and it is very hard to grow apples in the whole state because most of Texas just doesn't get that many chilling hours.  I'm sorry I can't give more encouraging advice, but if you get a good grow light, you might be able to have a very pretty tree.  Good luck, Melissa