My apple tree that I've grown from a seed...

I'm a bit worried about my apple tree and wondered if anyone could advise me please? I grew it from a seed; the only one of around 12 that actually grew. The leaves are looking very droopy and I'm concerned it isn't well. I'm a beginner gardener and have no knowledge on how I should look after it, other than what I've read online.

It sits on a south facing windowsill at my work and gets a lot of direct sun in the mornings. The room is warm during the summer. I water it every 4 days, sometimes from the top and sometimes from the bottom. The leaves don't feel damp or limp, they're quite dry.

I've noticed there are quite a few Fungus Gnats on it - would this be the problem? I've got a jar of apple cider vinegar out to hopefully catch them. I don't feed it with anything - should I? I live in a flat and don't have a garden. I could sit it out on the roof at work and bring it in each night, but I'm concerned it would maybe be bothered by insects which I'd bring in and contaminate my other plants (mainly spider plants).

The leaves just look very droopy and it looks sad. Any advice on what I should do please? Thanks!

 

Well, apple trees are meant to live in orchard-like conditions. So your sapling is missing the feel of soil under its toes and the wind in its hair.At the very least it needs a bigger pot. It is perfectly hardy and doesn’t need bring indoors. In fact, a bit of a chill at night might perk it up.

The fungus gnats are innocent. All they do is burrow around in the compost and fly about a bit to meet new fungus gnats and have babies. They came in with the compost.

My suggestion would be to ask a friend with a garden to take on your apple tree and give it what it needs, freedom.

 

Thanks, your answer is really helpful. (This is in reply to Tidemark! I haven't quite got the hang of this forum and replying yet as I'm new!)

With it having been indoors in such a hot room on the windowsill all summer, would moving it outside where it's definitely a bit cooler the last few days not give it a shock with a change of temperature?

Those Fungus Gnats drive me crazy. I'm forever chasing them around swatting them and spraying them with fly spray. I didn't realise they'd come in with the soil I bought.

I'll ask my friend if he can adopt it in his large garden.

Thanks again!

 

CherryBerry000, when you repot using new soil or compost, add just a little water and microwave for two minutes. This will kill the sciarid flies (gnats) and any young in the soil. Let it cool before using it.

Edit: You have to bear in mind any other plants you have will contain the flies too, so all the soil will have to be changed to get rid of them completely.

 

Thanks, what a nuisance they are. I don't actually have a microwave, so I'll look online to see if there's an alternative way of getting rid of them.

 

boiling water with a kettle or in oven at 70c works. this will also kill any plants in it!

goodluck with the apple. stake it well and im sure itll be happier next year.