Apple Variety

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aroberts
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:02 am

Apple Variety

Post by aroberts »

Hi, we are looking to get a single apple tree for our smallish garden - eating variety

We are looking for a self pollinator that requires little/no spraying.

We have previously had an unidentified apple tree. The flesh was pinkish and quite fluffy - not keen on getting the same again

Any advice welcomed.
Tks
Chuck Rhode
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:25 pm

Re: Apple Variety

Post by Chuck Rhode »

aroberts wrote:Hi, we are looking to get a single apple tree for our smallish garden - eating variety.

We are looking for a self pollinator that requires little/no spraying.

We have previously had an unidentified apple tree. The flesh was pinkish and quite fluffy - not keen on getting the same again.
Maybe you had a Pink Pearl. Consider a multi-graft tree. Raising multiple varieties (even on one trunk) means that unrelated pollen will generally be available unless you have a really long flowering season. If your neighbors have flowing crab apples, then that consideration is taken care of automatically. Otherwise, if each of the varieties you choose doesn't provide fertile pollen at the time the others need it, you can graft in a branch of crab apple, too.

Please allow me to adjust your expectations a little with regard to a couple of things: self-pollination (self-fertility) and disease and insect resistance.

Up to a week ago I would have said that no apple varieties were self-fertile, but I live and learn. Apparently there are a number for which self-fertility is claimed (by nurserymen) such as: Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Winesap, Gala, Fuji, Cox's Orange Pippin (our namesake), Grimes Golden, Spartan, Winter Banananana, Empire, etc, etc, etc. This list goes on and on. These are the ones you may have heard of. (The Brits have a bunch that they don't let out of the country.) However, if you glance at Wikipedia, you find echoed there my opinion that even so-called self-fertile varieties are really lesser degrees of self-infertile. That is, having unrelated pollen available will improve yield.

I have similar opinions of disease resistance -- that these are claims (more or less unsubstantiated) by nurserymen. Limited disease resistance is claimed for Liberty, Freedom, Goldrush, Redfree, and Enterprise among others. However, although these varieties may be less susceptible, they aren't immune, and, like all varieties, they will profit from treatment in most seasons.

I don't believe there are effective pest controls for the backyard gardener that don't involve spraying. There are late season organic controls (like maggot barriers), but preventing damage while fruit is setting requires insecticides where pest pressure is high as in an urban setting.
aroberts
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:02 am

Re: Apple Variety

Post by aroberts »

Hi Chuck.

Thanks for your reply - a lot to look into.

PS I am a Brit. Should have said that & the tree needs wet & grey weather.. :D
OrangePippin-Richard
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Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:14 pm
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Re: Apple Variety

Post by OrangePippin-Richard »

Red Windsor (Alkmene) seems to be reliably self-fertile, and is happy in a typical UK summer with not too much sun! However I agree with Chuck that self-fertility is a variable thing, and having another compatible variety nearby seems to help.

The well-known Cox Orange Pippin is actually available in several forms, some of which are self-fertile but it is likely the original was not self-fertile.

In most parts of the UK you can assume there will be other apple varieties around that will help with pollination.
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