The apples on my apple tree are very small but look nice and ripe. But the seeds are still white?

Question

Will the apple ripen once it has fallen from the tree? Will the seeds eventually turn brown/black? The apples don't taste very nice at the moment. Why should I be losing so many apples before they are a decent size?

Answer 1

Good observation about the seed color! When the seeds are dark and when you taste the fruit it isn't "chalky" then they are ripe. You'll know when you taste it.

As for size, could be a crabapple as mentioned above, but could also be they weren't thinned enough so the fruit it at least 4 inches apart.....I try for six inches when thinning. Too much fruit strains the water and food capacity of the tree.

As to dropping, could be water, could be natural thinning by the tree in an attempt the lighten the load or load on resources, could be the flower was partially pollinated (fruit will be lopsided), could be insect damage.....many reasons for fruit drop.

As to color, that always shows early (providing there's enough sun) but does not indicate ripeness.

Answer 2

Your apples are definitely not ready yet. Leave them for another 3-4 weeks and try one then. The main reason for apples dropping off the tree is lack of water; the tree will shed all the fruit to ensure it stays alive. Make sure your tree gets watered every day for the next few days then once a week thereafter.
Post note:-
I hadn't thought about them being Crab apples!
They are not for eating, only for making jelly.

Answer 3

i have two of these apple trees in my garden,the apples are about 2-3inches across,i have never known them to get any bigger!! there is a lot on the ground too! my seeds are also white....not too sure if/when they become edible though!

i also have three plum trees ,these are ripe now and taste sweet and Divine!!

Answer 4

Check out this website:

http://www.gardenersnet.com/fruit/apples/grow.htm

Did you plant this tree yourself? If the answer is 'no', you might not have the type that you can eat. There are some ornamental apple trees.

Answer 5

These are not eating apples...they a crab apples...more for cooking