If the cost of DNA testing ever becomes more affordable we could clear up some of the confusion concerning Limbertwigs.
4 Likes
Very true Rick. I think you grow all 4 but Red, American, Mountain, and Virginia we’re all thought to possibly be the same as well. I know Virginia and Red are not identical because Ron Joyner told me so. Similar in appearance but different taste. They claim Virginia as one of if not the best apple they grow. Suzanne also says Huntsman is right there with it.
1 Like
Dont get on much anymore but do have some new ones this year.
Have not tried any of these yet but soon.
10 Likes
Can you lend some info. I recently grafted the below LT’s. Which of them would you consider good fresh eaters.
Old Fashion
Black
Myers
Red Royal
To be honest i have not had a bad limbertwig yet but the problem is getting the ripening times right, that in itself is the hardest thing for me because of the 4 legged pests so i usually have to pick before they are ready. Mountain Limbertwig has been outstanding for me last couple of years and just ate one today nd it was exceptionally good tasting and they are large.
Just pulled of one of the Carolina’s and it was a little dry tasting and not much flavor for it’s first year producing
Slemp’s texture is perfect at this time and very sour (i prefer that) with a tad bit of sweetness at the end.
2 Likes
Carolina LT? Where did you get that???
Is that a separate cultivar with that name or did you possibly mean Smoky Mountain Limbertwig or Brushy Mountain Limbertwig?
It is actually Mountain Limbertwig. I do have the others also.
2 Likes
So there is an actual “Ohio” Limbertwig variety?
These are my Myer’s Royal Limbertwig. A couple of them fell off the tree, probably because of the extreme high temps for weeks on end. They definitely are not ripe. I cut one open and tried it. It was too starchy and basically tasteless. So there are 8 others on the tree that I am hoping stay on until they actually get ripe. I am anxious to actually taste them since this is the first year it has had fruit on it.
1 Like
That is yet to be determined.
Great to see ya Pod, nice looking Limbertwigs. 
1 Like
Anyone have any more recent experiences with Limbertwigs they can share? I am especially interested to hear about disease resistance and eating quality. These apples have me very excited, I am currently growing the following young trees with no fruit yet: Black, Red Royal, Royal, Brushy Mtn, Victoria, and Myer’s
2 Likes
I have a Fall Limbertwig fruiting for the first time this year. It probably needs 2 more weeks so I’m hoping the weather holds out. The tree has been plenty hardy enough for our winters but if it ripens it will take our whole growing season. I can see why it’s considered a southern apple.
It’s a 5 year old tree on Antonovka rootsock. It’s been very vigorous and upright growing, no weeping or twiggy growth habit on this one. The apples are large and attractive looking, and they’ve had no disease or pest issues so far. The apples are clean with no spray. On the flip side of that Black Limbertwig has been a disease and pest magnet for me.
Hopefully I can update this with the taste in the next couple of weeks.
5 Likes
I picked the Fall Limbertwig apples on November 15. Only a couple of them to judge, so limited sample size.
I feel like it still wasn’t totally ripe. The seeds were brown but it was still slightly green and a little starchy, or maybe that’s just how it is off the tree. Even with that it was still a nice apple. It’s a very dense apple and the skin is thick so I imagine it’s a very good storage apple. Hopefully I get more to test that with next year.
The flavor reminds me a bit of McIntosh but more mild and not as sweet. The Joyner’s description says it’s an “almost sweet” apple and I didn’t really understand what that meant until now, but I think it describes the apple well.
I don’t think as a fresh eating apple it will knock anyone’s socks off but I bet it’s an amazing homestead/storage apple. Especially in areas with a bit longer growing season than me where it can fully ripen on the tree.
I grew it no spray and there were no bug issues. I suppose the thick skin helps with that.
It’s a very attractive, rustic looking apple as well.
8 Likes