Spring always just flies by and this year is no different as the apple blossoms are already off their peak! But the red fleshed apples just have such beautify blooms that it is worth sharing. And just like every year the red fleshed apple varieties get a jump on blooming. Here is the first post of a few really nice tasting red fleshed apple varieties grown at our Hocking Hills Orchard that have started blooming. The bloom followed by what the apple will look like when ripe.
Bakran – Iran. Bakran is a very old Iranian red-fleshed variety native to Bakran Village. Not only are the apples red fleshed, but the seeds, young leaves and wood of the trees are also red. In its homeland, this variety is used for drying, cooking, juicing and eating fresh. Ripens mid September here.
Clifford – Virginia. Found growing on the home site of Patrick Henry. Medium size to large fruit. Solid red skin covered with light russeting and rough skin. Solid red flesh, juicy, very tart flavor. Ripens mid September. One of the varieties I always take to the local schools for apple talks.
Estonian Wine Apple – Estonia, - 1950. The name in Estonian is Veiniõun. In Estonian veini means wine and õun means apple, hence Estonian Wine Apple. Fruit medium to large, nearly full red, tart flavor. Large red flowers that produce great tasting apples.
Pekacervenca – Red fleshed variety developed in the Czech Republic.
After this year’s grafting we are now at just over 2,000 apple varieties, 200+ pear varieties and 125 grape varieties. Our UPic and farm market days typically run the last weekend in July through the first or second weekend in October depending on harvest and will be posted on Facebook.
For a great group to help keep heirloom and unusual varieties growing join NAFEX.
And this Sunday is my grafting class hosted by Raccoon Creek Watershed group down at Ohio University from 1300 until 1500.
Stay at locally owned businesses when visiting somewhere like the Hocking Hills, it matters!
Derek A Mills
Hocking Hills Orchard at the Four Seasons Cabins in the beautiful Hocking Hills of SE Ohio.
