Ranetka Crabapple Seeds-"Rotunda"

Ranetka is a Malus baccata –Manchurian apple cross which can tolerate extreme cold and short season areas. Originally from Alaska this is one of the cold hardiest apples in the world.  Has been free of leaf diseases here and fruits on young trees only 4-6 ft. tall. Vigorous growing-excellent producer.  Small ½” elongated purple or green-yellow fruit. Red fruited selections also show up but more rare with this particular seed strain. Dense white flowering in early spring. Because of the tartness of the fruit, they have been used to mix with other milder apples for apple butter and jelly. Ranetka produces uniform seedlings for grafting and is often sought after for that. 

 "Rotunda" Ranetka  -Selected seedling grown for its heavy fruit production. Produces a round dome shaped yellow incredibly tart crabapple that ripens in August. The tree tends towards biennial bearing. The fruit is produced in solid clusters all along the branches and would be considered spur bearing. It is a dwarf tree to 10 feet tall after 25 years of growth. Fairly good leaf retention and goes dormant in September. Perfect for incredibly cold areas for jelly and other health drinks. Because of its background, likely to contain a lot of healthy fruit compounds in quantity. 

To germinate the seeds:  Plant outside in fall. Cover 1/4 inch deep and tamp into the soil firmly. Cover with light 1/8 inch compost or sawdust. Seeds will germinate very quickly in the spring and are somewhat frost resistant.  For indoor germination:  Put in lightly moist Canadian peat moss and store from 33-38 F for 60-120 days. With this strain many of the seeds will sprout very quickly after 60 days. Others will take the whole 120 days. When you remove the bag after 120 days from the fridge the remainder will usually sprout. Pluck the sprouted one and put in a pot with well drained soil.