Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Choosing a variety.
It is extremely difficult to suggest apple varieties, due to
the many thousands of varieties and the extensive geographic range over
which apples are grown. Many new apple varieties have entered the market
in recent years but have not been well tested in all growing regions. You will
also find that certain varieties are popular in particular geographic areas,
and nurseries focus on these relatively few varieties. The vast majority of
apple varieties have been lost to time, and those available from nurseries are
limited to a few hundred.
To simplify the selection process, use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Map and variety hardiness ratings from nurseries to narrow your list to vari-
eties adapted to your climate. Be skeptical about exaggerated claims for
plant hardiness, either north or south. It would be a rare fruit tree that can
thrive in the warm, low-chilling Zone 9 as well as cold, short-season Zones 3
or 4.
Know the approximate chilling hours that your site receives and make
sure they match your selections' dormancy requirements. Be cautious about
growing low-chilling and medium-chilling varieties in high-chilling areas
where the plants can break dormancy prematurely during winter and early
spring warm spells. Select varieties that will ripen in your growing season.
Throughout the process, emphasize disease resistance. Disease resistance
is important to all apple growers, and especially so for organic growers. It is
critically important that you consider resistance to apple scab and fire blight,
particularly if your orchard is in a humid region. 'Liberty', 'Jonafree', 'Brit-
egold', 'Macfree', and 'Florina' are scab-resistant or scab-immune varieties
that have received favorable ratings for flavor and eating quality. 'Liberty'
apple varieties.
