I have an apple tree that I planted from the seed of an apple. It looks more like a small bush right now, it stands about a foot tall. It was doing fine then it got to be about 110 degrees and I couldn't get enough water in it. The leaves dried out so I took them off. Now the stems are about 12 inches high and bare but green. Do I cut the stems down. There are a few green leaves on it. What do I do?
Don't worry about it. Keep providing water as normal until the plant begins to go dormant, usually around the time overnight temps go down into the 40's.
Your apple bush may yet put out a new set of leaves in the remaining time before dormancy. If so, give it a little fertilizer (consult your local agricultural agent or garden supply store), but only at about one-quarter of the full recommended application.
One helpful chore is to make sure all the leaves are off by the time cold weather sets in. You can remove the leaves by hand if the tree is small, like yours. Make sure there are no leaves on the ground anytime during the year, as they can harbor pests and diseases - apples like to have "good housekeepers" managing them.
Assuming you are growing your seed apple for fruit and not for ornamental purposes only, be aware that seed apples may or may not have good fruit, and it usually takes them quite a few years before you find out.
If your tree gets some height to it (3-5') and you get tired of waiting, consider grafting in one or more varieties of hybridized apple species. If you use two different varieties that bloom about the same time, your apple tree could be self cross-pollinating and give you years of delicious, healthy fruit. For your area. consider grafting on Redfree and Prima, with Gala and Ozark Gold close second choices.
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