Family Apple Tree (Malus domestica) CUKURIŅŠ + DOČ MELBI + AUKSIS + MĀLĀBELE 26/12

Family Apple Tree (4 in 1): Cukuriņš + Doch Melby + Auksis + Mālābele

A unique historical collection of four rare Baltic and Russian varieties on a single trunk. Enjoy sequential ripening from July's sweetness through to the fragrant autumn classics.

1. Apple 'Cukuriņš' (Early Summer Variety)

A historical, exceptionally sweet "Candy" – an old variety with a strong apple aroma and crunchy flesh, highly favored by children.

The season on this tree is opened by the ancient Baltic legend 'Cukuriņš' (translating to Candy, 1848). It delights children and lovers of very sweet fruits, as its flesh is completely acid-free. It is a vital variety with good disease resistance, highly suitable for organic growing.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Candy-like sweetness: Extremely sweet, crunchy flesh with a pronounced fragrance.
• Organic quality: Good natural disease resistance (spray-free cultivation).
• Early summer harvest: One of the very first fresh summer apples of the season.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Smaller, yellow-green fruits with a fine red striping.
• Harvest Time: Early summer, ripening as early as July.
• Pruning tip: The variety has sharp crotch angles and a tendency for blind wood. Prune to encourage lateral branching.

2. Apple 'Doch Melby' (Late Summer / Early Autumn Variety)

A juicy and hardy Russian offspring of the 'Melba' apple, reliably withstanding frosts down to -35 °C.

At the turn of summer, the 'Doch Melby' variety ripens. Originating from the Leningrad region (Pavlovsk Station), it boasts exceptional frost hardiness and reliable crops of beautiful, red-blushed aromatic apples.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extreme frost hardiness: Withstands temperatures down to -35 °C (-31 °F), ideal for higher altitudes.
• Large fruits: Average weight 130 g with an attractive red blush and dots.
• High resistance: Good resistance to scab and healthy growth.

Fruit and Harvest

• Flavor and Flesh: White, very juicy, and highly aromatic flesh with a balanced sweet-sour flavor.
• Harvest Time: Late summer to early autumn (turn of August and September).
• Storability: Short, meant for quick consumption or canning.

3. Apple 'Auksis' (Long-storing Autumn Variety)

The most beloved apple in the Baltics! A gold-medal variety with tender, juicy flesh that lasts in the cellar until late winter.

The autumn season on this tree is enriched by the Lithuanian legend 'Auksis' (crossed from 'McIntosh' x 'Gravensteiner'). It is characterized by beautifully colored fruits and high-quality, sweet-sour flesh. In the Baltics, it is the most popular variety, serving as the benchmark of quality for modern breeding.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Long storability: Apples remain in superb condition in a good cellar until January/February.
• Acclaimed taste: Excellent, sweet-sour, very juicy flesh (won gold in Erfurt in 1965).
• Easy cultivation: Resistant to scab, powdery mildew, and bark diseases, ideal for organic growing.
• Pollination: The variety is self-incompatible, and the presence of the other varieties on this tree ensures perfect cross-pollination.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Large fruits (120 – 130 g) of light yellow color with a carmine-red blush.
• Harvest Time: Early September.

4. Apple 'Mālābele' / 'Serinka' (Autumn Variety)

A historical Latvian classic with an exceptional and unmistakable sweet-sour, highly aromatic flavor.

The family tree is completed by the old Latvian folk variety 'Mālābele' (often known as Serinka). It acts as a true taste treasure. Its fruits have a characteristic "clay-pink" coloration. While not a modern "beauty" visually, its rich flavor is legendary among old varieties.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Unique Flavor: Excellent, very rich sweet-sour flavor and aroma.
• High Yield: A heavily bearing variety.
• Longevity: The tree reaches a high age with stable productivity.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Medium-sized apples. Grayish-yellow base color with a clay-pink blush and carmine stripes.
• Harvest Time: During September.
• Pruning Tip: Since the variety is somewhat susceptible to canker, regular, thinning cuts are recommended to keep the crown airy.