Finding the Right Apple Variety

Quick Links> MSU apple variety trials> Old and new apple strains> History & characteristics> Index to apple varieties

MSU apple variety trials> Locations> Finding processing and fresh market varietiesOld and new apple strains> Table for all varieties> Detailed comparison of strains

History & characteristics of selected varieties> Honeycrisp> Zestar!> Novaspy> SilkenIndex to apple varieties> Sorted by variety name> Sorted by variety type

MSU Apple Variety Evaluation Project Philip Schwallier, William Shane, Nikki Rothwell

Over 130 new varieties/strains/experimental apple selections are planted at the Michigan State University SWMREC, Clarksville, & NW Horticulture stations to see their performance in a wide range of growing conditions.

NW Horticultural Research Center (Rothwell)

Clarksville Horticultural Research Center (Schwallier)

SW Mich Research & Extension Center (Shane)

On station plot plans for self-guided tour

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

Cooperating Growers

U.S. Apple Nursery Industry

Color of Main Season Fuji Apple Varieties William Shane, Nikki Rothwell, and Philip Schwallier, Michigan State

University

History

The original Fuji has moderate red overcolor on a brown/green background. Over the years strains have been selected for color intensity and pattern.

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

Cooperating Growers

U.S. Apple Nursery Industry

Blush

Stripe

Most red color

Nagafu #2Nagano

Original

Top Export

Sun

Nagafu #6

Spike**

TAC 114

Desert Rose

Aztec

Coe

Blaze*

Torres (Triple E)

BanningNagafu #12

RakurakuBC#2

Myra*

*pink**semi-spur

Autumn Rose

Least red color

History

Honeycrisp has become the most valuable apple variety in recent years. A 1960 cross of Macoun and Honeygold, at the University of Minnesota apple breeding program. Selected in 1974 as MN1711 and then tested in Minnesota, Michigan and here in New York at the Cornell Research Station in Geneva. In 1982, University of Minnesota research scientist Dave Bedford rediscovered the selection which at one time had been marked for removal. In 1988 a plant patented was applied for and in 1991 the apple we know as Honeycrisp was released for commercial propagation

The apple is 50 to 60% striped red on a yellow green background. The fruit is firm, excellent crispness, juicy, with a sweet, honey-like sweetness plus medium acidity and has excellent shelf life. It ripens about 1 to 2 weeks ahead of Red Delicious. Thinning of heavy crops is advised since overcropping may also adversely affect flavor and fruit quality.

Honeycrisp is prone to sunscald, bitterpit, bruising, cracking, rot, and biennial bearing. Honeycrisp is prone to soft scald and low temperature breakdown--a delayed cooling period prior to storage will help minimize economic loss. Honeycrisp is protected under the U.S. Plant Patent Act (Plant Patent No. 7197)

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

University of Minnesota

U.S. Nursery Inddustry

Cooperating Growers

David Bedford University of Minnesota

History and Characteristics of Novaspy Philip Schwallier, William Shane, and Nikki Rothwell, Michigan State

University

History and Characteristics of Zestar! Nikki Rothwell, Philip Schwallier, and William Shane, Michigan State

University

History

Zestar! cross of State Fair and MN1691, at the University of Minnesota apple breeding program. Selected as MN1824 and known for a while as Minnewashta and then Zestar, it was introduced in 1998.

The apple has 50 to 60% pink/red blush on yellow background, sweet with moderate to high acidity, fine-textured firm flesh, juicy, and has good shelf life for an early apple. Russet may occur in the stem bowl and shoulders.

It ripens in late Paulared season about 1 month before Red Delicious. Zestar! Is relatively cold hardy. The trees are precocious and of moderate vigor and have early bloom. Thinning of heavy crops is advised since overcropping may reduce fruit size, flavor, skin color fruit quality. (USPP#11,367).

Zestar!

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

Cooperating Growers

U.S. Apple Nursery Industry

Early Fuji Apple Varieties Nikki Rothwell, Philip Schwallier, and William Shane, Michigan State

University

History

The original Fuji is a Ralls Janet x Delicious cross from Japan ripening in October. Over the years strains have been selected for color intensity, type, and early ripening. Early strains include:

Auvil Early

Beni Shogun

September Wonder

Rising Sun

Daybreak

Nickell Early

Morning Mist

Myra*

Rising Sun

Auvil Early

September Wonder

Daybreak Fuji – credit: ACN

blush

*pinkblush

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

Cooperating Growers

U.S. Apple Nursery Industry

History and Characteristics of Novaspy William Shane, Philip Schwallier, and Nikki Rothwell, Michigan State

University

Novaspy originated from Nova Scotia, 1986, parentage Nova Easygro x (Red Spy x Golden Delicious), scab resistant and moderately resistant to mildew. Limited observations in Michigan indicate relatively low susceptibility to fire blight. Novaspy has mid season bloom. Its fruit is medium large size, has 85% red stripe over green-yellow background, with a creamy white flesh

Novaspy harvests ahead of Northern Spy, is a good quality, more precocious replacement for Northern Spy, excellent processing, long storage qualities, not much bitter pit seen to date. The variety is precocious, sets heavy crops, good winter hardiness. No significant drop problem has been seen. The tree is moderately upright with moderate vigor, less than Northern Spy

Novaspy – photo credit www.omafra.gov.on.ca

Thanks to those supporting this work:

Michigan State Horticultural Society

Michigan Apple Research Committee

Cooperating Growers

U.S. Apple Nursery Industry

Etc……https://www.msu.edu/~shane/apple%20variety%20work/applecategories.htm