Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: dtw on August 03, 2008, 14:58:41

Title: Guess the apple?
Post by: dtw on August 03, 2008, 14:58:41
I bought a pear tree from Woolworths, it turned out to be an apple tree.
Can anybody tell me what variety it is?

(http://www.davethewave.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/allotment/mysterious-apple.jpg)
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: ceres on August 03, 2008, 15:07:23
There are thousands of varieties of apple.  Brogdale has the national collection with 2,300.

If you're an RHS member you can send them an apple with twig and leaves and they'll try to identify it for you - think it costs £8.  Brogdale may do it too, not sure.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: calendula on August 03, 2008, 15:32:05
thinking 'inside the box' so to speak how many varieties are woolies likely to stock, nothing unusual I would guess, probably golden delicious  :-\
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: ceres on August 03, 2008, 15:35:57
Picture looks more like some kind of russet.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: dtw on August 03, 2008, 16:34:11
I'll have to keep an eye out in Woolies, as they don't stock trees on their website (and I suppose it's the wrong time of year anyway).
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: davholla on August 03, 2008, 16:59:56
Tells us what it tastes like and that will help narrow it down.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 04, 2008, 10:24:07
Since you got it in Woolies, there's only a very limited range of varieties it plausibly could be. I bet it's Egremont Russet. If I'm right, it's one of the best eaters. Be careful letting it fruit while it's still small. If it stops growing, pick all the fruit off at an early stage for a couple of years while it gets established. Sometimes they fruit and still grow, sometimes they don't.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 04, 2008, 16:42:29
If it turns mushy when cooked it might be Golden Delicious.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: dtw on August 04, 2008, 18:22:33
I'd always thought golden delicious was yellowy green.

(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:4lDLlc3xSkKvdM:http://www.gardeningforyou.com/sites/fthorpe/images/Golden%2520delicious.jpg)

I tasted one at the bottom which had a bit of disease,
it was sweeter than expected as it wasn't quite ripe.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: ACE on August 04, 2008, 18:50:00
Is it in a container, as I would be a bit worried having a tree growing that close to my foundations. After all you don't know what rootstock it is on as it has been mixed up in the shop.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: calendula on August 04, 2008, 19:55:38
I think Ceres and Robert could be correct, it does have the look of some brown tints to it but that still means it could be many, a cooker even - think I'd phone up woolies to see what they usually supply - looks in great condition though, enjoy it  :)
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: dtw on August 04, 2008, 22:06:15
It is in a big pot, it's a single branch which has been grafted onto rootstock.
I may transfer it to my allotment next year.
Title: Re: Guess the apple?
Post by: OllieC on August 05, 2008, 08:15:49
I can see 2 apples there, making it a Pair Tree!!!  :)

And now, can someone pass me my coat please?