Are apples grown from seeds or a cutting spliced onto host plant?

Apples are typically grown from rootstock that has been grafted with a desired variety of apple. Rootstocks are the lower part of the tree, including the roots and the trunk up to the graft union. They are chosen for their disease resistance, hardiness, and other desirable traits. The scion, which is the upper part of the tree that includes the branches and fruit, is grafted onto the rootstock. This process allows growers to combine the desirable traits of both the rootstock and the scion to create a tree that is well-suited to the growing conditions and produces high-quality fruit.

It is possible to grow apples from seeds, but it is not a common practice in commercial orchards. Seedling trees are more variable in their traits and can take longer to bear fruit. They are also more susceptible to diseases and pests.