Information
Species: Malus domestica Borkh.
Use: Dessert
Ploidy: Diploid (partially self-fertile)
Pollination Group: D / 4
Cultivar Group: 1 or 2
Bearing: Spur
Blossom: (notes to follow)
Season: Early-mid October
More Info: Keepers / OrangePippin / Pomiferous
Tree Source: Peter Nichol, Northern Fruit Group
Rootstock: MM106
Planting Size: 2yr old feathered maiden
Planting Date: 8th February 2018
Gallery
Notes & Observations
Background – First grown in 1912 from ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ x ‘Delicious’ and named ‘Delco’ by James Hutton Kidd in New Zealand. Re-named ‘Kidd’s Orange Red’ in the 1930s when rights were bought by the Duncan & Davies nursery of New Plymouth. A redder variant was discovered in the 1960s and released as ‘Captain Kidd’ (source). Kidd also developed ‘Gala’ (‘Royal Gala’ is a redder variant.)
Season 2019 – Vigorous stem growth, very little fruiting.
7.5.20 – Masses of blossom, thinning required (and was subsequently carried out).
13.8.20 – Very good fruit set, 30+ good sized. Spur-forming on long branches. Natural branch arching occurring under fruit weight (even after thinning). Plenty of dard-on-bourse formation observed.
Season 2020 – The best performing tree in the orchard this year. Apples tasted sharp when picked early (late Sept) but developed a richness and sweetness over the course of October, staying good into early November. Strong growth of upright stems may require removal of one or two to prevent over-crowding in the centre. Slight kink at base of trunk may necessitate re-staking at some point to avoid structural issues.