I raised part of my fruit lawn in order to plant 3 new apple trees, so far I have chosen
Antonovka Polt (Apple) G.16
Ashmead’s Kernel (Apple) G.11
Yellow Transparent Perrine Giant (Apple) G.202
I would also like to add ginger gold on B9 to this collection, but not sure if this is possible. Is it possible by looking at the picture bellow give an advice, if i should reduce my ambitions and stick with three, or I can fit another one in? On the picture existing trees are signed, three brick circles are for new trees, but they can be moved anywhere inside that “no grass area” bordered on the back with wall stones, there is a drop behind it.
The distance between existing trees is about 10 ‘, between empty circles about - 7-8
It will work if you have dwarf rootstock. I do not know about G rootstock, maybe somebody else advise you. I personally would not plant the whole tree of Antonovka. It is good for cooking, but does not keep well. The same goes for yellow transparent, it is good but for the very short time. I would start with something winterhardy, fireblight hardy and multipurpose apple and then I would graft any other varieties on it. Currently I am getting scionwood from USDA ARS (hopefully they sent it this year too) of many varieties of Russian and Ukrainian apple varieties such as Reinette Simirenko, Korichnoe, Anise, and others less known ones. After a couple years if I like them producing, I will share the scionwood.
I’ll let the experts give you advice on spacing. Just wanted to mention that last summer we went to a pick your own and the only Apple that was available for picking was Ginger gold. I would try making space for it just because it’s so early.
Galina,
Although everyone has his/ her own idea of what apple varieties they want to grow, listening to those who have "been there, done that " is not a bad idea.
I used to like William’s Pride so much, I planted two of them. A few years later, I have learned that there are so many other apple varieties I want to grow in my limited space. I am in the process of converting one WP to a multi grafted tree.
Thus, I would listen to @Antmary’s advice and commemts on those two varieties.
I’ve read that on Bud 9, you can grow apples as close as 5 ft. I went with 6 ft apart on both B 9 and G 41. I just have to prune them if they are too close. Hopefully those who grow with B 9 or other good dwarf rootstocks for many years would chime in.
Wow, Antmary, do they really have it? I gave up on looking for it. It is my childhood apple. Antonovka I am going to plant is on dwarf root stock, so it shouldn’t be a big tree. And for amount of apples and storage… Back home we have about 6 full size 50+ years old Antonovka trees that are higher then second floor window. They usually produce bi-annual, as they completely neglected for years, but still… When they produce - it is flooding of apples. The solution for them - making juice, preserves, dry them, ferment them and give fresh to relatives and friends. So I think I will be able to keep up with one dwarf tree . For root stocks - G16 and G11 are 25%-30% of standard, G.202 I believe 40% of standard. I am not sure if I happy with root stock size for yellow transparent, I would probably get it in smaller dwarf, but couldn’t find it so far. But I may graft a part of it, when I’ll learn how to do it on the Siberian crabapple growing in the back. Thanks a lot for “Korichnoe” tip, I will look forward for my trees mature enough to graft. Can you please share the link where on USDA ARS site you look for scionwood?
Thanks, mamuang, I agree. But eating apples is one thing, preserving them - another. So far I didn’t see any apple here that creates such a thick jam without any pectin and just 1/3 of normal sugar addition. Also it is the best apple I know for fermenting. I tried many yellow-green types here(red skinned do not work for it) but none came close to what I can get from Antonovka. For Yellow Transparent - I agree, probably full tree is too much. But when I learn, I would be able to graft it. By the way, is there any restrictions on root stock if you want to graft on the tree later? Also, is there any compatibility issues if you want to graft apple on apple? If yes, are they coming from some common characteristics that do not match, or it is just random?
Staking is recommended for a dwarf rootstock so it won’t fall over with heavy fruit load and strong wind.
My concern about multi grafting esp.on a dwarf rootstock is the growth rate of each variety… The fast growing one tend to dominate. You need to keep an eye on those grafts and balance them out with pruning.
A rootstock like M111 maybe better for growing a strong tree without support and you can graft many varieties on it to your heart content.
You can keep a tree on such a rootstock low/short via pruning but that is an art that I have not come close to master.
I do stake all my trees. After I came home after 2 days trip during Irine and found my beloved peach uprooted, stake goes in the hole first, and tree next .
Thanks a lot!!! I got so excited about this apple, that decided to order right away, with idea to use my first espaliered golden rush to graft on. So I ordered scion wood through that links. I had two surprises though. First, it asked me for purpose of my project, I selected home gardening and got a message that they wouldn’t send materials to HG if they are available for sale in other places. But this didn’t stop ordering and I was able to click “submit” . The second surprise i had - there was no place they asked me about credit card. Does it mean I actually didn’t order anything?
I found this old thread because like you I am on a quest to find Korichnoe apple. I filled out the request like everyone suggested but it got denied. I was wondering if you were able to get the scions. Thanks.
Yes, I was able to get the scion, but it didn’t help much. First, it is tip bearing apple and in my small spot it didn’t work well. Second, it needs much cooler weather. In Moscow suburb it was riping in the end of August, here in ma it was done in July, in the hottest time and apple quality was not that good. Third, it was very fire blight prone. It got it up to the main stem and I decided not to save it.
Thank you for the prompt response. I’m in Northern California. If these apples were no good in MA they probably won’t be great in CA for sure. I also had a scion, which didn’t take.
Do you have any other Russian varieties? Antonovka? I have Korobovka but it hasn’t fruited for me yet. I really like a variety called Bogatyr but I was not able to find it here in the US. Thanks, Olga
I have (at least still have, I am selling my place soon ) Antonovka on b-9, it is actually easier to order that Korichnoe, I ordered mine here: https://www.cumminsnursery.com
Unfortunately, Antonovka is not doing that good in MA as well - it gets ripe too early in hot weather and because of that doesn’t store well. It is also affected by apple maggots very much as highly aromatic apple. I will try to get some scions from it next week and will try to store them until spring. If that wouldn’t work, I will need to find a new source of scion wood - I want to try them espaliered on G890 at my new place. .
. For root stocks - G16 and G11 are 25%-30% of standard, G.202 I believe 40% of standard. I am not sure if I happy with root stock size for yellow transparent, I would probably get it in smaller dwarf, but couldn’t find it so far. But I may graft a part of it, when I’ll learn how to do it on the Siberian crabapple growing in the back. Thanks a lot for “Korichnoe” tip, I will look forward for my trees mature enough to graft. Can you please share the link where on USDA ARS site you look for scionwood?
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