Anna Apples

Tdog · May 21, 2011

I know there was just a discussion about protecting apple trees from deer, but I wonder if anyone knows how to tell when apples are ripe, especially Anna Apples. My wife learned that we could raise some apples & she gave me no peace till we planted a few. We have a handful of Annas, a couple of Golden Dorsset, Yates, & an Ein Schemmer. Our two youngest are Annas [one planted in Feb.2011] with apples on them.

I've attached a pic, but it is not focused very well - - shaking to much in this incessant wind.

Thanks,

Jack

Chuck52 · May 22, 2011

Some of the better nurseries that have online presence give some information about when the apple varieties they sell get ripe, at least in their area. Vintage Virginia Apples is one:

Vintage Virginia Apples

The problem is you are in a much warmer climate than they are. Here in mid Missouri, I have about the same ripening times as they do in Virginia, and all my apples are still at the golf ball size or smaller. However, you can at least get an idea about the relative times your apples should ripen....which first, etc. A standard way to see if apples are getting there is to check the seed color. When the apple is getting ripe the seeds change from pale colored to dark brown. Of course, you also get to taste the apple you are checking, and that works pretty well, too. However, I have an old tree that had two different varieties on it. One was some kind of green cooking apple, and I thought the other side was the same and picked them early. They were sour, as expected for a green cooking apple, but some apples I missed in the top of the tree finally ripened into a really good, sweet yellow apple that I think might be Grimes Golden.

Chuck

Tdog · May 22, 2011

Thanks Chuck - - this is my 1st apple growing experience. I was surprised to learn of these new varieties that don't require as many chill days/hours. I expect my 'season' will be ahead of most usual apple growing regions.

Jack

keegs · May 22, 2011

That's interesting Chuck. As understand it, the tree has two varieties grafted each with different ripening schedules?

I was looking at one of the apple trees yesterday. It just shed its flowers. You can barely detect the apple as they're no bigger than a pea. It looks like we're going to have a good year for apples though...provided Murphy doesn't show up.

loghouse511 · May 22, 2011

I have, an apple tree, that I planted, about three years ago. Bought, at local nursery. Never had a bloom.Any ideas why?
Do not know, the variety
Location, lower Alabama

Chuck52 · May 22, 2011

Keegs,

I figure that tree was planted about 50 years ago when my house was built. Half of it died last year and that was the cooking apple side. The other side lives on, but it is in decline. I cut some scion wood from it back in February and grafted a piece on a crab apple that is near my "orchard". Looks like it took, so I may be able to keep the old tree going in a way. I think it might be Grimes Golden because it has lived all these years with severe Cedar Apple Rust and GG is supposed to be somewhat resistant. It might just be Golden Delicious, but it is more round than most of those and Golden Delicious is fairly susceptible to CAR. Anyway, I was surprised at a double grafted tree that old, but the folks on GardenWeb told me they were common in that age range. Don't miss the cooking apple side. They weren't much good and went from ripe to mealy really fast.

Tdog, good luck with your apples. As I said, mine are still tiny, and since we just got hit with quarter sized hail about 20 minutes ago, I'm hoping they weren't hit too hard. I bet my tomatoes are toast....no fruit yet, but the plants probably got shredded.

Chuck