About Us

07-04-2005, 05:31 PM

wrote:
: Hi,

: I would like to grow some apples but which variety do I go for? I
: normally let "the fruit expert" book guide my decision, which is ok
: for other fruit and veg because it only lists a few varieties to
: choose from, but the range of apples is overwhelming and the author
: does not suggest any one variety to be better than any other.

: I would like an eating rather than cooking apple and I would like it
: to store well; there's no use growing them if they rot before you've
: eaten them! They would need to taste good, obviously! Disease
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There's the rub. Different folks have different tastes and not all apples
taste the same. So find out the varieties you actually like eating, make a
list then check out which of them can be recommended for growing in your
area. e.g. cox can be a pig to grow in the north.

Each apple has it's season too - different varieties are ready for picking
at different times, from August thru' to Late Nov/Dec. Later apples tend
to keep better. My favorite is Ashmeads Kernel, a russet, pick late
Oct/Nov depending on weather and keeps thru to Feb/March

: resistance and easy to care for would be good plus points.

: Is the advice to avoid triploid ones because of the difficulty in
: pollinating?

triploid ones will not pollinate OTHER trees. Check out what neighbours
have too.

07-04-2005, 05:55 PM

In article ,
writes
Hi,

I would like to grow some apples but which variety do I go for? I
normally let "the fruit expert" book guide my decision, which is ok
for other fruit and veg because it only lists a few varieties to
choose from, but the range of apples is overwhelming and the author
does not suggest any one variety to be better than any other.

I would like an eating rather than cooking apple and I would like it
to store well; there's no use growing them if they rot before you've
eaten them!

In general, the ones that fruit early may last only a couple of weeks,
and the keeping season gets longer the later the picking. The latest
varieties are picked in October or so, do not become ripe for eating
until January and keep through till March.

As long as you avoid the very early ones (which tend to also be early
flowering), they'll keep long enough for you to eat.

They would need to taste good, obviously!

Taste is very subjective, and there is a huge variety of different
flavours compared with the very few flavours you get in the supermarket.
Some of mine are very aromatic, and unless you are sure you would like
this, then it's certainly true that you should taste before you buy.
Russet apples are different in taste too (and they don't all just taste
like Egremont Russets either), and some people find the appearance
unappetising.

Many places host 'Apple Days' in the Autumn where there are a wide range
of apples for you to taste. Since the widest choice is from specialist
suppliers who tend to sell bare rooted trees for winter planting, you
wouldn't lose out by waiting.

Disease
resistance and easy to care for would be good plus points.

Avoid Cox - it tends to be difficult to grow healthily in the garden.
If you were in the north or west of the country you would also want to
choose a variety that was OK with cold or wet.

Is the advice to avoid triploid ones because of the difficulty in
pollinating?

Yes. While they will accept pollen from any variety which is in flower
at the same time, they don't have viable pollen to give in return, so
you need to plant *another* tree to pollinate the pollinator.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Apple trees - a few big ones or a lot of little ones?	Chris[_3_]	United Kingdom	5	04-04-2009 07:41 PM
Bird houses, feeders and food - which ones to buy?	Char Kenny	United Kingdom	29	04-04-2009 03:27 PM
soil ammendments which ones?	turf doc	Lawns	8	27-08-2006 05:04 AM
Need A Good mechanical/biological pond Filter Which ones are good?	DD DDD	Ponds	10	03-04-2005 07:15 AM
Pesticide time is nearly upon us. Which ones will you be using?	Pearson Reid	United Kingdom	21	16-05-2004 09:09 PM

Menu

About Us