Question
My three kids planted the seeds from their organic Gala apples in an empty flower pot filled with organic citrus Miracle Grow soil about 2 years ago. They sprouted! I am in SW FL and now have 10 Gala apple trees organically potted on our patio.  They are in need of  bigger pots. I think our soil is too sandy for them to go outside. My question is this: will they produce fruit? Do I need to pollinate them? What can I expect from these trees? These about 12-24 inches tall now.

Answer
Hi Deanna,
Gala apples are hybrids and the fruit from the trees your children planted from seed will most likely not resemble the fruit from which your children obtained the seeds.  Hybrids are genetically unstable and will not produce true to the seed.  It is fun, especially for children to grow from seed.  And it doesn't mean the fruit won't be good to eat.  It just will most likely not be of the same quality of the original fruit due to hybridization.  Or the plant itself may be inferior.  Once in a blue moon, you may get something superior (which is how hybrids come about...) due to the genetic mix.  At any rate, Gala apples require 500 hours of chilling in the winter.  Which means there must be sustained temperatures at or below 40癋/4.4癈 for 500 hours.  If this is not achieved, your trees will not bear fruit.  Generally, from seed, it's going to take 3-5 years for the sapling to bear fruit and yes, they most likely will bear fruit.  They are large enough to plant outdoors in full sun.  Even though your soil is sandy, supplement it with well composted manure, leaves, grass clippings, etc.  As far as pollination goes, because you have a number of trees they will most likely pollinate each other.

I hope this helps.
Tom