Apple Varieties: Choose the Right Variety for Your Needs

Apples are not just delicious and versatile fruits; they come in a variety of types, each with unique characteristics suited for different climates, purposes, and tastes. Here's a detailed look at various apple varieties, categorized by their maturity and features to help you choose the best type for your needs.

Early Maturing Cultivars

• Vista Bella: Vista Bella apples mature quickly, within 90-95 days after full bloom. These fruits are oblong with a solid flesh and a unique appearance marked by weakly defined stripes. Weighing between 145-160 g, they offer a decent TSS range of 15-17°Brix. Despite their high yield potential, they face challenges like fruit drop and susceptibility to diseases such as powdery mildew and scab.

• Mollies Delicious: Mollies Delicious apples are ready for harvest in 100-110 days and are known for their large size and cylindrical shape. Each apple weighs 200-210 g and has a TSS of 10-12°Brix. Though it bears regularly, its slightly later maturity compared to Vista Bella may affect its suitability for certain markets.

• June Eating: June Eating apples are an early maturing variety with medium-sized, oblong fruits. These apples have a length of 38-40 mm and weigh between 52-55 g. With a TSS of 13-14°Brix, they are appreciated for their crisp texture and good flavor, though they are smaller compared to other varieties.

• Prima: Prima apples are an early variety known for their crisp and tart flavor. Weighing between 129-151 g and having a TSS of 10-12°Brix, these apples are scab-resistant and provide excellent eating quality. However, their dry matter content can vary, which may impact their texture.

• Benoni: Benoni apples are small to medium-sized and have a roundish-conic shape with a fine-grained, juicy texture. They weigh about 48-50 g and have a length of 39-43 mm. Although they are attractive and juicy, their small size may limit their appeal to some consumers.

Mid Maturing Cultivars

• Red Chief: Red Chief apples are a mid-season variety known for their cylindrical shape and red-purple color. They weigh 213-220 g and have a TSS of 11-12°Brix. With their attractive appearance and high market demand, they require careful management to maintain their quality throughout the season.

• Starking Delicious: Starking Delicious apples mature in the mid-season and are celebrated for their large size and conical shape. Each apple weighs 205-210 g and features a TSS of 15-16°Brix. They are reliable bearers but require specific conditions to achieve optimal growth and fruit quality.

• Starkrimson: Starkrimson apples are known for their cylindrical shape and red-purple color. They are heavy bearers, with fruits weighing 230-240 g and a TSS of 13-14°Brix. Though they produce abundantly, they need regular maintenance to thrive.

• Hardiman: Hardiman apples are a mid-season variety notable for their high fruit weight and conical shape. Each apple weighs between 260-270 g and has a TSS of 15-16°Brix. They are in high consumer demand but require specific growing conditions to reach their full potential.

• Oregon Spur: Oregon Spur apples are distinguished by their conic shape and red-purple color. They weigh 200-230 g and have a TSS of 13-15°Brix. Known for their high yield, they need precise timing during harvesting to ensure optimal quality.

Late Maturing Cultivars

• Coe Red Fuji: Coe Red Fuji apples mature late in the season and are known for their globose shape and moderate ribbing. They weigh between 191-220 g and have a TSS of 11-13°Brix. These apples are high yielding but require late-season care to ensure quality.

• Silver Spur: Silver Spur apples are a late maturing variety that is notable for its spur type growth and high yield. Each apple weighs 150-170 g and has a TSS of 12-14°Brix. They are precocious and regularly bear fruit but need specific growing conditions to flourish.

• Granny Smith: Granny Smith apples mature late, around November, and are recognized for their light green color and tart flavor. Weighing 210-220 g, they have a TSS of 11-13°Brix. They are ideal for cooking and eating but are less sweet compared to other varieties.

• Red Delicious: Red Delicious apples are a classic late-season variety known for their conical shape and strongly defined stripes. Each apple weighs between 210-230 g and has a TSS of 14°Brix. While they have good keeping quality, their flavor may not be as intense as other varieties.

• Top Red: Top Red apples are a late maturing variety with a conic shape and red-purple color. Weighing 170-180 g, they have a TSS of 16-18°Brix. They are appreciated for their attractive color and taste but require careful harvesting timing.

Low Chilling Varieties

• Michal: Michal apples are an early maturing variety suited for low chilling areas. They are medium-sized with a conical shape and a distinctive stripped red over green-yellow color. Each apple weighs 106-142 g and has a TSS of 10-11°Brix. Their lower TSS might affect their sweetness compared to other varieties.

• Maayan: Maayan apples are another low chilling variety, ready early in the season. These medium-sized apples have a globose to slightly conical shape and a stripped red over green-yellow appearance. Weighing 115-150 g, they have a TSS of 10-11°Brix and are well-suited for regions with lower chilling hours.

• Anna: Anna apples are ideal for low chilling areas and mature early. They feature a medium vigor tree, with fruits that are oblong to conical in shape and a yellow with red blush color. Weighing 116-195 g, with a TSS of 11-12°Brix, they offer good flavor but can vary in size.

Choosing the right apple variety can greatly influence your success in cultivation and the quality of the fruit produced. Consider factors like local climate, soil conditions, and intended use (eating, cooking, or storage) to make the best choice.