Modern Apple tree nursery farming process in the Netherlands

Summary

This video showcases the step-by-step process of growing and cultivating apple trees from seed to harvest. It begins with the selection of high-quality apple seeds and their cold-stratification process to stimulate growth. Once planted, the young trees are carefully grafted with superior scions to enhance their traits. The trees are nurtured in a greenhouse before being transplanted to the fields with advanced machinery. The video highlights the meticulous care taken throughout the growing stages, including pruning, hormone treatments, and the final harvesting process, ensuring that the trees are ready for delivery to apple farmers and consumers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The process of creating high-quality apple seeds starts with selecting superior seeds with desirable traits.
• 😀 Apple seeds undergo a cold treatment (4.4–5°C) to stimulate growth, simulating cold conditions if needed.
• 😀 Seeds are planted in peat soil with a neutral pH and placed in a greenhouse for proper humidity control.
• 😀 After 1 to 3 weeks, the apple trees start to grow with small leaves and a thick trunk of about 1 cm.
• 😀 Once the tree trunk reaches 1 cm thick, it is ready for grafting with a superior parent tree's scion.
• 😀 Grafting involves connecting the rootstock of a greenhouse-grown tree to the scion of a high-quality parent tree.
• 😀 The grafted trees are sealed with natural wax to protect them from infections and dehydration.
• 😀 After grafting, the trees are stored in cold storage until ready for planting in the field.
• 😀 Advanced machinery is used to plant apple trees with precise spacing and assisted by workers for efficiency.
• 😀 As the apple trees grow, workers trim competing branches and manage the tree’s growth for better shape and health.
• 😀 When the trees reach over 1 meter in height, the main shoot’s leaves are cut to encourage side branching and optimal growth.

Q & A

What is the first step in creating apple seeds with superior traits?

The first step is to select high-quality seeds and go through a cold stratification process to stimulate growth.

What is the ideal temperature for the cold stratification process of apple seeds?

The ideal temperature for cold stratification of apple seeds is between 4.4 to 5°C.

How can apple seeds be cold-stratified if the outside temperature is not cold enough?

If the outside temperature is not cold enough, the seeds can be placed in a refrigerator to simulate cold conditions.

What is the recommended planting medium for apple seeds during the stratification process?

The recommended planting medium is peat soil with a neutral pH.

What happens after the apple seeds have been cold-stratified for 1 to 3 weeks?

After 1 to 3 weeks, the apple seeds will start sprouting, and the young apple trees will show some leaves.

When is an apple tree ready for grafting?

An apple tree is ready for grafting once its trunk reaches a thickness of about one centimeter.

What is the purpose of grafting in apple tree cultivation?

Grafting is used to connect a superior-quality scion from a mother tree to a rootstock, ensuring the new tree has desirable traits.

Why is waxing applied after grafting the apple tree?

Waxing is applied to protect the grafted apple tree from infection and dehydration.

How does the tractor-assisted planting system work for apple trees?

The tractor-assisted planting system uses a machine that automatically plants apple trees according to a pre-programmed map, ensuring accurate spacing between the trees.

What happens to the apple trees when they reach a height of over one meter?

When the trees reach over one meter in height, the workers trim half of the main shoot leaves to change the hormone balance and encourage side branching.

What occurs during the harvest process of apple trees?

During the harvest, a tractor-assisted semi-harvester uproots the trees, and they are then packaged and transported to the consumers.