Its late harvest and long shelf life make the Ontario apple a perfect source of vitamins for the cold season. We'll tell you the most important things you should know about the apple variety.
Since its discovery, the Ontario ’table apple has become widespread and can now be found in many gardens and on numerous orchards. And for a good reason. The tasty winter apple has many good properties and is quite undemanding.
contents
- Ontario apple: wanted poster
- Origin and history
- Properties and taste of the Ontario apple
- Special features in cultivation
- Harvest time and uses of the Ontario apple
Ontario apple: wanted poster
| fruit | very large; yellowish-green, reddish on the sunny side |
| taste | juicy, sour |
| Yield | high |
| Harvest time | End of October to November |
| Ripe for enjoyment | December to May |
| Shelf life | very good; storable until May |
| growth | medium strength |
| climate | rather undemanding; suitable for late frosts |
| Diseases and pests | prone to fruit tree cancer |
Origin and history
In the late nineteenth century, the Ontario apple emerged in Canada, in the state of Ontario. From careful selection, this variety could be made from the two Apple varieties ‘Wagner’ and Northern Spy ’are bred. It was not long before the North American novelty began its triumphant advance in Europe, where it is still widespread today.
Properties and taste of the Ontario apple
Ontario apples are one of the heavyweights. They weigh up to 200 grams and are correspondingly large. Their color is yellowish green, whereby the sunny side likes to have a washed-out reddish glow. A bite into one of the apples is a juicy, sour taste experience. He is also healthy, because the fruits of this apple variety are rich in vitamin C. The green-white pulp is hard and the shape of the apple is slightly flattened.
Special features in cultivation
Ontario apple trees are medium-strong and have little demands on location and soil. Due to the good frost tolerance of the flowers, a tree of this variety is ideally suited for late frosts, as it still bears plentifully even with late cold spells. Regions with extreme frost in winter, however, are more likely not to be so, because the wood of the tree is quite sensitive to frost.
What is special about this apple tree is its diverse shape. You can grow Ontario apple trees as both high-stem, half-stem or bush trees. Its strong and relatively short shoots in all varieties bear plenty of fruit almost every year. However, due to the frost-sensitive wood, it is advisable to graft tall trunks onto another apple variety.
In general, Ontario apple trees are quite resistant to disease. Only in dry locations does apple powdery mildew occasionally attack (Podosphaera leucotricha) the tree. Fruit tree cancer (Neonectria ditissima) can, however, become a problem.
More general information on the topic Plant apple tree see this article.
Harvest time and uses of the Ontario apple
You can pick the apples from the end of October until November. However, this typical winter apple is only ripe for consumption from December through May. The Ontario apple is one of the few fruits that is also in full season at this time of the year. Always store the apples in a cool and humid place, so they will keep for months. Note, however, that the apple is quite sensitive to pressure.
You can then use the Ontario apple in a variety of ways. You can enjoy the table apple straight away, but it is also ideal for making puree or juice. The Ontario apple is also a real treat as a baked apple.
If you prefer sweeter apples, the ‘Rhenish winter rambur’ might be something for you. This article provides information on growing, caring for and harvesting the apple variety ‘Rhenish winter rambur‘.
