I’m thinking about top working some trees over to the feral cider apple selections at Fedco. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or good luck with any of their feral varieties so far? My cider block is no spray so firelight resistance and potential codling moth avoidance are top of mind. Was contemplating Cellar Hole Bitter and Tarecap Bitter to get some bittersweet, maybe Shavel Sharp.
Just last night I looked at Fedco’s cider apple list in the most recent catalog. Cellar Hole can have 21 Brix. The tree is productive & healthy in the description. This implies it resists or at least tolerates FB on its own.
Around here, any tree sustaining itself without help against disease for decades (I can think of a roadside apple I need to pluck some fruit from now) has several things going for it.
The catalog states Cellar Hole has, “Intense tannins, not terribly juicy…” which implies two things to my mind. Either make sure it gets put in moist ground or irrigated if needed, or plant another apple that has plenty of juice for blending cider.
Claygate Pearmain would be an excellent candidate from my experience. Mine always has plenty of juice, a jumble of interesting flavors (Provolone cheese and filbert/hazelnut) amidst the sugar & tartness. If stored a while mine has scored 24 Brix, but I expect that may be extreme for someone in Ohio. Claygate needed some pruning while young to direct its shape (central leader bush for my purposes).
You probably can contact someone directly at Fedco with your questions. Check the website.
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