Abstract: We conducted three independent but associated tests to study the impact of 4 container materials, 3 container sizes and 13 kinds of growing media on the growth of greenhouse apple seedlings. Results show that plastic and nonwoven bags are more economic and practical containers to plant apple seedlings. Apple seedlings cultivation volume can only be contracted to a certain degree, 20 cm diameter and 30 cm height container suitable for 1~2 years apple seedlings growth. From the perspective of comprehensive utilization of agriculture and forestry waste resources, cinder, mushroom residue and rotten sawdust can serve as apple seeding soilless cultivation media substituting orchard soil among the 11 resources such as cinder, corn stalks, peanut shells, mushroom residue, rice husk, straw stalk, bean stalk, sawdust, rotten sawdust, rice husk carbon and shell powder.

Key words: apple container seedling, growing media, growth characters, container size, container materials