The 'Red Berlepsch' is an old, tasty and proven apple variety. We explain the properties of the apple tree and the fruit of the 'Red Berlepsch' and what you can consider when growing, caring for and harvesting.
The 'Red Berlepsch' is an apple variety with many qualities and equally high demands. Also known as the Hohenzollern apple, the variety is closely related to the 'Goldrenette Freiherr von Berlepsch' related from which it descends. 'Roter Berlepsch' can be cultivated as a standard, half-stem or trellis, but it also requires an almost perfect location and professional care for good yields.
contents
- Red Berlepsch: wanted poster
- Origin and history of the apple
- Characteristics and taste of the Red Berlepsch
- Peculiarities in cultivation and care
- Apple variety 'Roter Berlepsch': Harvest time and use
Red Berlepsch: wanted poster
| fruit | small to medium sized; red topcoat |
| the taste | juicy, sweet and sour |
| yield | irregular |
| harvest time | October to December |
| maturity | December to March |
| shelf life | Good; Apples harvested early can be stored until February |
| growth | initially strong, later much weaker |
| climate | mild |
| diseases and pests | susceptible to fruit tree canker on soil that is too heavy |
Origin and history of the apple
The apple variety 'Roter Berlepsch' is a mutant of the variety 'Freiherr von Berlepsch‘. This means that a single shoot or branch was created as a result of a random error in the replication of the genetic material during cell division with special properties, which was then propagated vegetatively - i.e. asexually, for example via cuttings or finishing. This random genetic change was the increased appearance of the red body color. However, the taste and other properties of the apple did not change. So the 'Red Berlepsch' is a nice chance find!
By the way: The 'Freiherr von Berlepsch' and the 'Kaiser Wilhelm' variety were examined in molecular genetics in 2010 and it was found that they differ in no way. The discovery sites of the "two" varieties - Nesselrode and Grevenbroich - are only 50 km apart. It is therefore assumed that the variety first appeared in Grevenbroich in 1830 as an accidental seedling and was unknowingly "discovered" again in 1864 and named again.
Characteristics and taste of the Red Berlepsch
Like its genetic origin, the 'Red Berlepsch' also has small or medium-sized fruits and a fruity aroma in the firm and yellowish-white flesh. The apple tree also grows very strongly at the beginning, but later much weaker. The crowns are well branched, only the medium-late flowering is unfortunately somewhat sensitive to frost. The resulting flower damage often leads to strongly fluctuating yields. In addition, the 'Red Berlepsch' is susceptible to various diseases in unsuitable locations.
You can find out more about the properties of the two Berlepsch apples in the variety article ‘Freiherr von Berlepsch' read up.
Peculiarities in cultivation and care
Like its progenitor, the 'Rote Berlepsch' is a demanding companion: for good, high-quality yields, a milder climate is required Location is a must and the soil can hardly deviate from the ideal "moist, deep, permeable, sandy-loamy and nutrient-rich". differ. Cultivated in poor locations, it easily leads to blossom and wood frost, fruit drop, irregular yields, reduced growth and increased incidence of diseases.
On the other hand, the 'Rote Berlepsch' can be excellently trained as espalier fruit because it grows in a very straight line. However, the classic cut in a pyramidal shape or as a spindle is difficult to implement because of the strong growth at the shoot ends and requires annual, well-guided cuts.
Suitable pollinator varieties are: 'Disovery', 'Cox Orange', 'clare apple', 'James Grieve', 'Jonathan' and the 'Pineapple Renette'.
Tip: Not every apple variety has such a high nutrient requirement as the 'Red Berlepsch'. With a primarily organic fertilizer like the Plantura Organic universal fertilizer you can satisfy this hungry strain without overstimulating vegetative growth at the expense of fruiting.
Apple variety 'Roter Berlepsch': Harvest time and use
As a winter apple, the 'Rote Berlepsch' is ready to harvest from October to December. Fruits that are harvested early and are not fully ripe can be kept refrigerated until February. It should be emphasized that the 'Roter Berlepsch' taste changes only minimally during storage and that the taste of the variety can still be rated as excellent. If the 'Red Berlepsch' is stored too warm, it unfortunately tends to wilt very quickly, so it quickly shrivels up. What the 'Rote Belepsch' can be used for in addition to fresh consumption can be found in the article on the 'Freiherr von Berlepsch' find out.
Have you fallen in love with the Red Berlepsch and want to get straight to planting? Here we explain Apple tree plants in 10 steps.
