Bonsai apple tree

[Cockney_si]

If I planted an apple tree from seed in a very small pot and treated it like you would a bonsai tree could I get it to be small like a bonsai tree?

[Clanad]

Yes and no... One can grow an apple tree from seed, although with somet difficulty. One would need to scarify (deeply scratch) the seed and, after planting at least 4 or 5, perhaps one would survive.
If, by Bonsai, you mean to expect a typical, small, indoors tree as one would get from a juniper, then, no it won't work. Apple trees are all temperate climate trees. There are no apple trees in the tropics (or northern Canada, for that matter). Therefore, they must be potted and grown outside. All fruit trees, but especially apples, require cold temperatures to produce growth (and fruit) the following season.
The art of Bonsai refers to miniaturization which is accomplished by dedicated In the case of apple trees, at least 10 to 15 years) re-potting each late winter or early spring while the tree is still in dormancy. The root ball needs to be "combed" out and trimmed back. The new branch growth needs to be controlled by pinching off. The plant should be regularly fertilized (especially if potted in traditional Bonsai soil, which is coarse and has little nutrient) using a balanced (10-10-10) feeding formula at about one fourth to one half strength about twice a month.
Use a large enough pot... probably at least 1 gallon to start.
Keep in mind the successful Bonsai will produce fruit. but also keep in mind, most apple trees are hybrids so don't expect the resultant fruit (or tree, for that matter) to be true to the parent tree (or apple). Any way, Best of luck. (I have 5 successful Bonsai's of various species here in the western U.S.)...

[Cockney_si]

I'm going to try and grow it outside anyway so no need to worry about climate.

[taichiperson]

Most apples are grown from 'root stock' - ie one sturdy species is used for the trunk, and one that produces good fruit is grafted on to it. We have a tree which originally had three types of apple growing - Cox, Bramley and another which never actually fruited. So you can't plant, for example, a cox seed and get it to grow into a strong enough tree to produce fruit.
I'm not sure how it would grow if you tried it like a bonsai though. Also, Bonsai are happier outside, they are not happy in the hot dry atmosphere of a centrally heated house. My hubby has lots of Bonsai trees outside, I'll ask him what he thinks when he's not busy - which he is at this time of tear!

[taichiperson]

Woops, cross posted there. Hubby says yes it will grow - buy some bonsai books or go to a show and talk to some enthusiasts. If you are wanting it to fruit, it will grow strong enough but won't neccesarily produce the same variety of apple, as the pip has been produced by sexual reproduction as opposed to vegetative reproduction (ie the graft). Hope this is helpful

[Brooksy]

Bonsai growers often start the trees off in a large pot or even the ground to get the trunk thick, which won`t happen if you start it in a tiny bonsoi pot, it will just grow thin & spindly in my experience. You may have to wait a few years (yep, Bonsai is long term) before going to a small pot.