Manitoba Apple and Crabapple Cultivar Survey

Introduction

The most limiting factor to apple production in Manitoba is the cold winters. Very cold temperatures in the winter can result in significant bud mortality and branch dieback.  Apples are not native to the prairies, cultivars that are hardy on the prairies were produced by breeding hardy material from northern areas with larger sized fruit from southern areas. There are a large number of cultivars that have been produced and can be grown in Manitoba, many of them were produced in the now ended Apple Breeding Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station in Morden. Most cultivars are limited to plant hardiness zones 2-3. Older varieties tended to be really good for one or two uses (eg. pies, long-storage), while the trend for newer varieties are to be more well-rounded for multiple uses, but needs to be very good for fresh eating.

Site Selection

While apples grow well in a wide range of soil types, a sandy loam to loam soil is most suitable.  Heavy clays are generally not suitable because of poor drainage, especially in fall when the trees need to harden off.  Extremely sandy soils do not hold sufficient moisture and are low in required nutrients.

The subsoil is equally important to consider and should be porous and deep to provide good vertical drainage.  Soils with impermeable layers or salinity problems must be avoided.

A pH of 6.0 – 7.0 is ideal but at least it should be less than 7.5, especially if subsoil has a high lime content to reduce injury from lime induced iron chlorosis.  Some modification of soil such as the addition of organic matter may be useful and should be done before planting.

Sheltered Location Improves of Winter Survival

The orchard should have adequate air drainage, with a preferred slope to the northeast or east.  South and west facing slopes must be avoided.  Placement on a proper slope will delay bud break and flowering thus reducing the chances of blossom injury from spring frosts.  Cold and desiccation injury from predominantly west and northwestern winds can be a serious problem.  Therefore, major multi-row windbreaks should be placed on west and northern edges of the orchard to provide good protection from winds.  An evergreen shelterbelt screen on the south side can provide some protection from the sun during the winter months against sunscald.  Any protection on the lower part of the slope on the east side should be spaced will enough to permit air drainage so as not to trap cold air.

The orchard should also have access to a supply of water for irrigation.  There is an additional benefit from locating the orchard sloping away from a sizeable body of water such a major river or lake.  This will effectively lengthen the overall growing season by providing frost protection during blossom time and moderating the effects of fall freezes.

Economics and Marketing

In the early 90's there was a steady increase in acreage planted with about 60 acres producing in 1993. Since then, the interest in apples has decreased and in 2006 there were only 24 acres bearing fruit. Prices remain stable for sales at farmers markets, however global wholesale prices for apples have been quite depressed. The trend in North America has been for apples with juicy, firm, and crisp characteristics.

Most prairie apple cultivars, although hardy, can suffer production losses as very cold winter temperatures can kill the flower and fruit buds. Other problems such as sun scald and frost cracks can cause damage by allowing diseases to infect and kill the tree. This has resulted in reduced apple acreages and threatens the viability of the commercial industry. Also, customers perceive the fruit as inferior to imported apples. In order to improve the market for local apple production, consumer education is needed. There may be opportunities for niche marketing of fresh and processed apple products with the emergence of buy local movements and expanded farmer markets.

Apple Resources

University of Saskatchewan Fruit Breeding and Management Program http://www.fruit.usask.ca/index.html

MAFRI Fruit Crop Guides http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/gaa01d15.html

MAFRI Apple Production Page http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/fruit/ble01s00.html

U-Pick Apple Orchard Factsheet (PFRA) http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1198257651027&lang=eng

Apple Junction, Landmark, MB, Custom Apple Cider Pressing www.mumscountrybakery.ca

 

Informal survey of Manitoba Nurseries’ Apple Cultivars in Stock for 2009

All cultivars listed are hardy to plant hardiness zones 2 or 3.

Apple

Cultivar Name	Release Date	Cultivar Origin	Harvest Season	Uses
Prairie Sun	1999	University of Sask.	Early	Fresh, Processing
Norland	1979	Morden Research Station	Early	Fresh, Storage (8 weeks)
Heyer #12	1950	Neville, SK	Early	Processing
Morden Festival	2007	Morden Nursery	Early	Fresh
Gemini	2006	Unity, Sask.	Early	Fresh, Storage (12 weeks)
Dexter Jackson	2002	Saskatchewan	Early	Fresh
Kirk	1990’s	Boughen Nurseries, Valley River, MB	Early	Fresh, Processing
Westland	1979	Morden research Station	Early	Fresh, Processing, Storage (9 weeks)
Norcue	1975	Morden Research Station	Early	Fresh, Processing, Storage
Carroll	1961	Morden Research Station	Early	Pies, canning
Wintercheeks	2009	Jefferies Nursery Portage	Mid-Season	Fresh
Prairie Sensation	2007	University of Saskatchewan	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage
Odyssey	2006	Jefferies Nursery Portage	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage
Prairie Magic	2001	Neepawa, MB	Mid-Season	Fresh
Norkent	1990	Beaverlodge Station, AB	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage
Haralred	1990	Minnesota	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (12 weeks)
Goodmac	1990	Morden Nursery	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Juicing, Storage
Millstream (Sims)	1990’s	Mill Cream Nursery, Edmonton, AB	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Fall Red	1986	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, storage
September Ruby	1986	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage (16 weeks)
Boughens’ Delight	1980	Boughen Nurseries, Valley River, MB	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage (3-4 weeks)
Parkland	1979	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (8 weeks) Note:Biennial Bearing
Norson	1976	Beaverlodge Station, AB	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (18 weeks)
Norda	1976	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (16 weeks)
Aubin Macintosh	1974	Aubin Nursery Carman	Mid-Season	Fresh
Carlos Queen	1972	Rocky Mountain House AB	Mid-Season	Fresh, storage
Mac-Spur	1970	Summerland, BC	Mid-Season	Fresh
Collet	1961	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Garland	1961	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage
Patterson	1960	University of Sask.	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Harcourt	1955	University of Alberta	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Williams	1950’s	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Battleford	1934	North Battleford, SK	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (4 weeks)
Kirby Rouge	no formal release	Morden Nursery	Mid-Season	Fresh, Storage
Morden #359	no formal release	Morden Nursery	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Juicing
Honeycrisp	1991	Minnesota	Late	Fresh, Juicing
Red Sparkle	1990	Morden Research Station	Late	Fresh, Juicing, Storage (20 weeks)
Luke	1961	Morden, MB	Late	Fresh, Processing, Storage (10 weeks)
Minnesota #447	no formal release	Minnesota	Late	Fresh, Juicing
Goodland	1955	Morden Research Station	Late	Fresh, processing, Storage (20 weeks)

Legend
Early Season: August
Mid-Season: Late August-Late September
Late Season: Late September-Late October
Processing: Pies, fruit leathers, dried, sauce

 

Crabapple/ Applecrabs

Cultivar Name	Release Date	Cultivar Origin	Harvest Season	Uses
Rescue	1933	Scott Research Station	Early	Fresh, Juicing
Shafer	1963	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing
Chestnut	1921	University of Minnesota	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Storage (6 weeks)
Dolgo	1917	Brookings, South Dakota	Mid-Season	Jelly and Juicing
Trail	1911	Ottawa Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Juicing
Trailman	1973	Morden Research Station	Mid-Season	Fresh, Processing, Juicing
Kerr	1952	Morden Research Station	Late Season	Fresh, Processing, Juicing, Storage (27 weeks)

Legend
Early Season: August
Mid-Season: Late August-Late September
Late Season: Late September-Late October
Processing: Pies, fruit leathers, dried, sauce

Please Note: The above apple cultivar lists should not be considered an endorsement of these cultivars for use in Manitoba. Check with your local nursery for apple cultivars suitable for your location.

Apple and Crabapple Cultivar List Sources

Jefferies Nurseries, Portage la Prairie;  Aubin Nurseries, Carman; Patmore Nurseries, Brandon; Boughen Nurseries, Valley River; Kackenhoff Nurseries, Winnipeg; Morden Nurseries, Morden.

Luke Apple	Apples ready for harvest
Kerr Crabapple

For further information, contact your GO representative.