Question
Hi, 15 months ago my son planted an apple seed at nursery. It has now reached about 60cm in height and has leaves all the way up the 'trunk'. I am not sure if these leaves should be left in place or removed.  I actually have no idea what to do with the poor thing.  I would like to keep it for my son when he grows up although I have been told any fruit produced will probably be inedible.  I really don't want it to die and any advice would be most welcome,
best wishes Heather

Answer
Hi Heather,
Thanx for your question.  I think it is cool that your son started the seed and now you've got a plant with which to deal!  How exciting!  Whoever told you the resulting fruit would be inedible is incorrect.  The resulting fruit however, will not most likely, resemble the fruit from whence came the seed.  That's okay.  That doesn't mean the fruit will be inedible.  Besides, it will be at least 3-7 years after germination before you get a fruit.  Don't strip off any leaves or prune or cut.  Let the baby plant grow.  Water it and fertilize it with a 12-12-12 fertilizer once in the spring and once in mid summer.  When you plant the tree in the fall (yes, that's when you should plant this 15 month old plant) at least 30 days before the first frost, dig a hole deeper than  the pot in which your son has grown the seedling and put a handful of peat and some dried cow manure in the bottom.  Put the plant in and cover.  Flood the plant with water and then water once a week if you don't have regular rain.  I hope this helps.
Tom