Information
Species: Malus domestica Borkh.
Use: Multi-purpose eater / cooker
Ploidy: Diploid
Pollination Group: D
Cultivar Group: 1 / 2 (based on growth to-date)
Bearing: Tip-bearing
Blossom: (notes to follow)
Season: October
More Info: Pomiferous / heritagefoodcrops.org.nz
Tree Source: Peter Nichol, Northern Fruit Group
Rootstock: MM106
Planting Size: 2 yr old feathered maiden
Planting Date: 8th February 2018
Gallery
Notes & Observations
Background – Developed following a chance discovery of a mature apple tree by Mark Christensen in a remote part of central North Island New Zealand, bearing “apples that were big, clearly disease resistant, crisp and had a wonderful flavour.” The tree has since been propagated and widely distributed by Christensen’s Heritage Food Crops Research Trust.
Season 2019 – No fruit set, but reasonably vigorous growth.
7.5.20 – Strong blossom on spurs and tips.
17.8.20 – Fairly poor fruit set, 6-10, some dropped or were lost to pest damage. Aphid infestation on growing tips. Good stem growth.
Season 2020 – Very large apples, good cookers. Meant to be tip-bearing, but some fruit seemed to form on spurs. Only a few set though, so need to observe more closely in 2021.
Winter 2021 – Moderate extension growth, some canopy thickening. Signs of fruit spur development. Minimal pruning to remove awkwardly-placed new stems. New stake will be needed (re-staked autumn 2021).