Flowering of Apple Seedlings 16-20 Months after Germination1

Apple seedlings of two progenies whose parentage was predominantly cultivated apple ( Malus spp.) were forced under optimum growing conditions in the greenhouse. Without chilling, flowering started on occasional plants 16 months after germination. Manual defoliation induced synchronous bud break very efficiently. By 20 months after germination 86% and 68% of surviving seedlings in the two progenies had flowered. The phase change from juvenile to adult occurred 10-14 months after germination or possibly earlier.