25 Stoke Red Apple Seeds - Heirloom English Cider Apple Variety

Stoke Red is a traditional English cider apple variety prized for its bittersharp juice, which contributes depth and character to hard cider blends. This heirloom cultivar produces small to medium fruit with red-striped skin and firm, aromatic flesh. The trees are known for their vigor and reliable cropping, making them a rewarding choice for home orchardists and cider enthusiasts alike.

These seeds offer the opportunity to grow your own Stoke Red apple trees from scratch. While seed-grown apples may not produce fruit identical to the parent, they carry the genetic diversity that makes each tree unique. Stoke Red is a classic English cider variety, and growing it from seed is a fascinating project for those interested in heritage fruit and traditional cider making.

Plant Features

• Heirloom English cider apple variety
• Bittersharp juice profile ideal for cider
• Vigorous, productive trees
• Red-striped fruit with firm, aromatic flesh
• Open-pollinated seeds for genetic diversity

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Malus domestica
• Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil moist but not waterlogged
• Growth Habit: Upright spreading tree
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Bloom Season: Spring
• Mature Height: 15-20 feet (depending on rootstock and growing conditions)
• Germination Requirements: Cold stratification required; sow in fall or stratify seeds for 6-8 weeks before planting
• Spacing: 15-20 feet apart

Planting & Care

To grow Stoke Red apple trees from seed, start by stratifying the seeds to break dormancy. Mix seeds with moist peat moss or sand and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow stratified seeds indoors in pots filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix, barely covering them with soil. Keep the medium consistently moist and maintain a temperature around 70°F (21°C). Germination can take several weeks to a few months. Once seedlings have developed several true leaves, transplant them into larger pots and grow them on in a bright, sunny location. Harden off young trees before planting them in their permanent spot in the garden.

Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil for planting. Water regularly during the first few years to help establish a strong root system. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Prune as needed to shape the tree and remove dead or crossing branches. While seed-grown apples may not come true to type, they can still produce useful fruit for cider or fresh eating, and each tree is a unique expression of the Stoke Red heritage.

What's Included

25 Stoke Red apple seeds.