Apples are an type of fruit that is known as a pome. Apples is related to the genus rose since apples contains a five-pointed star of seeds in there core. There are over seven thousand varieties of apple that exist in the world, though not all of those varieties are grown in commercial orchards.
Each variety of apple contains different characteristics from other varieties of apples, such as having different levels of sweetness or crunch when chewing on an apple. Therefore, one must select a variety of apple based off the way in which that apple is to be used; some varieties of apples contain characteristics that makes them better for eating fresh while others are better for baking. One of the factors to consider when cultivating apple trees is the climate in which they are to be grown.
How to Choose and Grow Apples
Apple trees requires a specific number of chill hours to produce fruit; chill hours are hours during which the temperature drop to forty degrees. Some varieties of apples are low-chill types, meaning they are suitable to be grown in warmer climates with fewer chill hours. Other varieties of apples are high-chill types, meaning they require cold winters in which the temperatures drop to between thirty-two and forty degree.
Consequently, if an individual plants a high-chill type of apple tree in a warm climate that does not drop to those temperatures, that high-chill variety will not produce its fruit effective. If an individual intends to enjoy apples in their fresh form, then varieties of apples that are crisp in texture are best. Crisp varieties are considered the best for snacking since the cells in those apples remains intact; the intact cells will release the juice only when the apple is bitten into.
Alternatively, varieties of apples that are firm and tart are best for baking. Firm varieties hold their shape when baking; soft varieties of apples will turn to mush when baked. Additionally, varieties of apples that are slow browning are best for fruit salads since they will remain looking fresh after being cut.
Due to the different requirements for various types of apples and the different uses for those varieties, many varieties of apples is cultivated for specific purposes. For instance, the Honeycrisp variety of apples require eight hundred to one thousand chill hours in order to produce its crunchy texture. Therefore, the Honeycrisp variety is best for colder climates in which these chill hours can be produced.
Other varieties, like the Fuji apple, contains sweetness and dense flesh, but require fewer chill hours than the Honeycrisp variety. Granny Smith apples are tart and firm, making them good for baking recipes like pies. McIntosh varieties soften quick when exposed to heat, making them good for baking applesauce.
Lastly, Pink Lady varieties are known for being both sweet and crisp, making them appropriate for both eating and baking. If an individual decides to grow apple trees in their own gardens, for instance, there are additional steps that can be taken to ensure that the apple trees thrives. The rootstock of the apple tree can impact the height of the tree; rootstocks that contain dwarf varieties will produce small trees that are around ten feet in height while standard rootstocks will produce large trees that grow tall to produce the desired amount of apples.
An individual will also want to ensure that there is another type of tree in the orchard that produce pollen; the apple trees require pollination in order to produce a heavy amount of fruit. Additionally, the trees should be pruned during the winter months when the trees are dormant to improve the air and light that enter the tree; improved air and light will reduce the development of disease in the orchard. Furthermore, gardeners can place drip irrigation systems at the base of the tree to ensure that the roots of the tree remains hydrated.
Additionally, individual orchards may wish to consider how and when to harvest the apples from those trees. Apples may be harvested in the early fall, some varieties may be harvested during the mid-season, and other varieties drops in the late fall and are stored. One method of determining if an apple is ready to be harvested is to inspect the seeds within the apple; brown seeds indicate that the apple variety is reaching its peak ripeness.
A person should hand-pick the apples to avoid bruising the fruit. For those varieties that will be stored for longer periods of time, the apples should be stored in cold storage between thirty-two and forty degrees; these temperatures allows the apples to remain fresh for up to one year. Lastly, individual orchards may become susceptible to different types of pest and diseases.
For instance, pests like codling moth larvae will eat the apples; the same for diseases like apple scab. To control these problems in the orchard, the gardener can prune the branches that contain diseased apples; the apple trees can also be sprayed with an appropriate chemical on a regular schedule. Additionally, different varieties of apples can be grown in an orchard to manage the health of that orchard.
Overall, using the appropriate variety of apple for each purpose will ensure that an orchard and those who consume the apples from that orchard experience the best possible results.