Breeding your own double apple tree requires a method called grafting, where you join a shoot or bud (shoot) of one apple variety to the rootstock (root system and lower trunk) of another. This process allows two different varieties of apples to grow on the same tree. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

Step 1: Select the rootstock

• Choose a healthy tree: Select a healthy, disease-free apple tree to serve as the rootstock. This tree will provide the root system for your double apple tree.
• Compatibility: Make sure the rootstock is compatible with the apple varieties you want to graft.

Step 2: Choose Scion Wood

• Selection: Choose healthy, disease-free, well-developed canopy wood (shoots or buds) from the apple varieties you want to graft.
• Collection time: Collect the wood from the crown in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant and store it in a cool, moist place until grafting.

Step 3: Prepare the rootstock
Time to graft: Graft when the rootstock is coming out of dormancy, typically in early spring.
Cutting: Make a clean, slanted cut in the rootstock where you want to add the new variety.
Step 4: Prepare the Scion
Cut: Make a corresponding slanted cut at the base of the tiller.
Trim: Trim the tiller to have only 2-3 buttons.
Step 5:
Union grafting: Join the cutting surfaces of the crown and rootstock, ensuring that the cambium layers (layer between the bark and the wood) of both are aligned.
Fixation: Securely secure the graft union with graft tape or rubber bands to hold the scion in place.
Step 6: Healing and Protection
Waxing: Seal the graft union with graft wax to prevent dryness and protect it from diseases and pests.
Support: Stake the shoot to provide support while the graft union is healing.
Protection: Protect the grafted tree from extreme weather conditions until the scion union is healed and the scion begins to grow.
Step 7: Care for the grafted
tree Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Pruning: Prune the tree to maintain its shape and remove any growth below the scion union.
Step 8: Monitoring
Regular Checking: Regularly check the graft union for signs of disease or pests.
Healing: Monitor the healing of the graft union. The shoot should start growing in a few weeks if grafting is successful.
Creating a double apple tree through grafting can be an enriching and rewarding experience. It allows you to grow two different varieties of apple on the same tree, maximizing the diversity of your harvest in limited space. Keep in mind that successful grafting requires practice, patience, and precise execution, but the reward of enjoying two types of apples from one tree is well worth the effort.