Best Eating Apple
chisue
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (77)
Olychick
4 years agoMichael
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Want to plant an apple tree --help?
Comments (10)Your question is pretty broad. It's similar to going onto an aviation forum and asking, "How do you fly a plane?" I'd recommend that you do some Google searches, search through and read some of the threads on here (see the search box at the bottom of the main forum), and maybe get some books on the subject. Research is the only way you are really going to get all of your questions answered. There is no perfect variety. Everyone's tastes are different and needs vary. Some people may value disease resistance highly, while others may be confident in their ability to treat their trees on a regular basis. Some may be seeking something different or be interested in preserving an older cultivars. The only universal difference between antique and modern apples is the amount of time the cultivar has been around. On average, modern cultivars are developed for consistent appearance and cosmetic appeal and tolerance of shipping and rough handling, while antique cultivars were often chosen for their flavor or cider-making qualities. Choosing a root stock should be about much more than dwarf v. semi-dwarf growth rate. Dwarf rootstock will result in a slower growing tree and may require less frequent pruning than a tree with a semi-dwarf rootstock, but the ultimate size of the tree is going to be determined by the pruner. Things like tree architecture, fruit size and quality, disease and pest resistance, drought resistance, soil adaptability, whether of not the tree requires external support, cold hardiness, proclivity to sucker, graft compatibility, amount of fruit produced (productivity), how young the tree will produce (precocity), how long the tree will last and produce fruit (senescence), and the amount and frequency of maintenance are also influenced or determined by rootstock selection. Don't waste money on buying unusually large trees. Larger trees are likely to experience more transplant shock. Smaller trees often outgrow and even overtake larger trees. Also, smaller trees are easier to plant. I usually start with 2' to 4' trees. Precocity will vary with scion and rootstock type, the age of the tree, and environmental conditions. In general, more dwarfing rootstocks will produce at an earlier age. Most of my semi-dwarf trees (so far, I've used EMLA111 rootstock exclusively) produced fruit their second year. I removed it early to allow the tree to spend more energy on becoming established. You really don't have to worry about having multiple cultivars for pollination if other apples are within eyesight. But, who can stop with just one type of apple? Personally, I'd shy away from multiple types grafted onto one tree. All-in-one trees require more attention to proper pruning technique and have a number of other disadvantages. The only time I would consider one is if I only had a very small spot and was limited to just one tree. If there's one thing you come away with from this response, it should be check your sources out before ordering! Your list of sources above tells me that you haven't even started doing that. Before buying any type of plant, check the nursery out on Garden Watchdog. I will include a link to my list of possible sources below. Urban Homestead, Burnt Ridge Nursery, and Cummins Nursery are examples of respectable sources for apple trees. Here is a link that might be useful: Sources for Fruit Trees and Plants...See MoreLiberty apple still best resistance to cedar apple rust in Iowa?
Comments (7)I agree with you, Acer, that the choice is a contradiction. The Green Giant (Thuja) was the other contender when I narrowed down my choices. There were a few things that tilted the selection to cedar. One is that it is nearly impossible here in town to get an apple tree far enough away from junipers to avoid cedar-apple rust if the apple tree is susceptible -- the experts say something like a half-mile of distance is needed. There are probably several junipers in neighbors' yards just on my block alone. So one more juniper will not likely cause more trouble than the other existing dozens would. Second, I prefer native plants. If there were no resistant apple trees, I would plant the juniper anyway because the juniper is native. According to one source, it is the ONLY needleleaf evergreen native to this particular area. On the other hand, apple trees are the interloper here. As far as I know, no apples are native to Iowa, not even crabapples. So why plant an apple at all? Well, I have this stubborn conviction that every yard needs an apple tree because I grew up with one. Even tho it was out behind the garage and surrounded by tall shrubs and could only be seen when one was standing right underneath it, it impressed me enough to want an apple tree wherever I call home. "Home is where the apple tree grows." Third, along with being native is the observation that these junipers are found in native stands along with black walnuts, so they are already good friends and won't cause trouble between themselves. It's good to know that my trees will feel good with each other. Their driplines will be very close, maybe overlapping. Fourth, the juniper provides berries that birds enjoy during the winter and the thuja does not. Feeding wildlife is an important consideration to me. No, I have not heard of cedar-needle pie either! Haha. I'll have to work on that one -- what a challenge! But I think one can make gin from the berries. I wonder how the berries would flavor citrus-based confections like lemon pudding? Fifth was the growth rate. I think the juniper grows a bit faster than the Thuja. I can certainly afford a bigger juniper to start with because a close friend has a farm full of junipers -- he admires the tree -- and he'll dig one up to transplant. It'll be like a family connection through the tree. So I might have a useful screen in only a few years to block a neighboring apartment house window that looks down into my big patio window, which I like to keep uncurtained. When it's all added up, I am simply very happy that my stubborn, contradictory convictions can be satisfied with a really promising solution like a disease-resistant tree....See MoreMcIntosh-type apples: Decisions, decisions!
Comments (9)Unless you are up pretty high, I think you may get too much heat to get peak Macintosh- it's really a New England apple as is Macoun. What doesn't keep with Macs is its famous and unique crunch. I think there is a corelation to this and the fact that it becomes so soft when cooked. Because of it's distinctive aromatics it is good cooked when added to apples that stay firm. Then you get flavor and texture. Liberty is certainly a reliable and grower friendly apple that a lot of people like. It is harder than Mac, lacks its aromatics and distinctive crunch as grown here. I believe that it actually has more flavor in warmer climates than mine as it gets rave revues further south. Spartan certainly would give you extra shelf life and less headaches controlling scab. I'm having more difficulty with consistant cropping with it than the reliable Mac or Liberty....See MoreCarlos Queen and other apple questions
Comments (22)I find, in general all apples loose flavor over time, have tested several cultivars we grow but Norkent was the only apple still crisp in April, all others were soft by Christmas. Collet was also soft my Christmas but still remained good flavor. From now on I only store these two. Flavor, firmness, crispness, appearance, depend allot by how they're stored, for some reason I hit the check pot this winter. The apples in plastic bag, [picture] held up the best, they were stored in 3 fridges, mine, mother in law and brother in law who stayed oversee for a couple of month, fridge hardly ever opened. The apples in my fridge ended up the worst, apples were all in same bags. Next year I want to test some in vacuum bags and root cellar,..if finished? I just send a letter to the head guy from our fruit growing group to see if members can show pictures and report which one's are holding up best over a long period....See Morehighdesertowl
4 years agonickel_kg
4 years agoElmer J Fudd
4 years agoDawnInCal
4 years agolittlebug zone 5 Missouri
4 years agojemdandy
4 years agoarkansas girl
4 years agosealavender
4 years agoseniorgal
4 years agoyeonassky
4 years agojtc
4 years agoshecar2
4 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
4 years agorob333 (zone 7b)
4 years agoAlisande
4 years agowoodrose
4 years agoladypat1
4 years agoElizabeth
4 years agoAdella Bedella
4 years agochipotle
4 years agocynic
4 years agoOlychick
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agolgmd_gaz
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMarilyn Sue McClintock
4 years agoMichael
4 years agolgmd_gaz
4 years agoOutsidePlaying
4 years agomarilyn_c
4 years agoMrsM
4 years agoMichael
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMichael
4 years agobreenthumb
4 years agoMichael
4 years agoAlisande
4 years agochloebud
4 years agoMichael
4 years agoAlisande
4 years agoOlychick
4 years agolgmd_gaz
4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agonatesg
4 years agodedtired
4 years agohounds_x_two
4 years agoAlisande
4 years agoarkansas girl
4 years agomurraysmom Zone 6a OH
4 years agoOlychick
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSHow to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden
Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN16 Scrumptious Eat-In Kitchens and What They Want You to Serve
Whether apple-pie cheerful or champagne sophisticated, these eat-in kitchens offer ideas to salivate over
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESCrisp, Fresh: Go for Green Apples
On the Walls or Au Natural, Green Apples Pack a Decorative Bite
Full StoryCOLORApple Accents: Color from the Orchard Comes Home
Cheerful reds and crisp greens inspire everything from centerpieces to bedscapes
Full StoryHEALTHY HOME12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating
Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team
Full StoryTRAVEL BY DESIGNHouzz Travel Guide: New York City for Design Lovers
Where to stay, shop, eat and explore in the Big Apple, from a design-minded architect who lives there
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSWhy Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor
Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Color Brings a Family-Friendly Show House to Life
Apple green, salmon pink and bodacious blues dance through fabrics and furnishings in a Pennsylvania show house
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNCooking With Color: When to Use Red in the Kitchen
Candy Apple Red, Red Licorice and more for your kitchen walls, cabinets or island? The color choices are as delicious as they sound
Full StorySponsored
caflowerluver