Question
Hello Tom,
I planted an apple seed, it's now about 7cm tall with about five leaves.  somehow it stopped growing and one of the leaves has a brown tip.  I am so worried, this is the only seed germinated.  Could you please tell what can I do to save it?  many thanks,

Regards,

Answer
Hi Diene,
Thanx for your question.  Most deciduous fruit tree seeds like apples germinate best after a period of temperatures below 40 degrees F for 90 to 180 days which is probably why only one seed germinated.  You can fool Mother Nature by planting the seeds in a pot and sealing it in a plastic baggie and put it in the refrigerator for 90-180 days.  After that, return the pot to a warm room and keep it watered.  Germination can be sporadic with one or two coming up right away only to have you wait months for some of the others to germinate.

Your apple tree seedling probably needs to be potted in a bigger pot or better yet, outside if you are not having any more frosts.  Make sure that you don't drown the plant.  Water only when the top of the soil is dry.  You might want to lightly fertilize the plant with half strength fertilizer or fish emulsion.  Follow the directions on the fertilizer package.  I hope this helps.
Tom