Its late harvest and long shelf life make the Ontario apple a perfect source of vitamins for the cold season. We tell you the most important thing you should know about the apple variety.
Since its discovery, the 'Ontario' dessert apple has spread widely and can now be found in many gardens and in numerous orchards. And for a good reason. The tasty winter apple has many good qualities and is quite undemanding.
contents
- Ontario apple: profile
- origin and history
- Properties and taste of the Ontario apple
- Peculiarities during cultivation
- Harvest time and uses of the Ontario apple
Ontario apple: profile
| fruit | very large; yellowish-green, reddish on the sunny side |
| the taste | juicy, sour |
| yield | high |
| harvest time | late October to November |
| maturity | December to May |
| shelf life | very good; can be stored until May |
| growth | medium strength |
| climate | rather undemanding; suitable for late frosts |
| diseases and pests | susceptible to fruit tree canker |
origin and history
In the late nineteenth century, the Ontario apple originated in Canada, in the state of Ontario. Careful selection made this variety out of the two apple varieties 'Wagner' and 'Northern Spy' are bred. It didn't take long for the North American novelty to begin its triumphant advance in Europe, where it is still widespread today.
Properties and taste of the Ontario apple
Ontario apples are among the heavyweights. They weigh up to 200 grams and are correspondingly large. Their color is yellowish-green, with the sunny side tending to have a washed-out reddish glow. A bite into one of the apples is a juicy, sour taste experience. It is also healthy because the fruits of this apple variety are rich in vitamin C. The green-white flesh is hard and the shape of the apple is slightly flattened.
Peculiarities during cultivation
Ontario apple trees have medium growth and are not very demanding in terms of 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 plenty even during late cold snaps. Regions with extreme frost in winter, however, tend not to be the case, 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 standard, half-stem or bush trees. Its strong and relatively short shoots bear plenty of fruit in all variants almost every year. Due to the frost-sensitive wood, however, it is advisable to graft standard trees onto another apple variety.
In general, Ontario apple trees are quite resistant to diseases. Only in dry locations does apple powdery mildew occasionally attack (Podosphaera leucotricha) the tree. fruit tree cancer (Neonectria ditissima) can 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 not ready for consumption until December and May. The Ontario apple is one of the few fruits that are also in full season at this time of year. If you always store the apples in a cool and humid place, they will keep for months. Note, however, that the apple is quite sensitive to pressure.
You can then use the Ontario apple in many different ways. You can enjoy the dessert apple straight away, but it is also ideal for making purée or juice. The Ontario apple is also a real treat as a baked apple.
If you prefer sweeter apples, the 'Rheinische Winterrambur' might be something for you. In this article you will find information on the cultivation, care and harvest of the apple variety 'Rhenish winter rambur‘.