Apples
Episode: #2 17/03/07
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Apples are one of our favourite fruits, packed into kid’s lunchboxes, eaten as a snack or baked into pies, we just love them. While most of us only know this fruit from our trips to the greengrocer, the real apple story begins in large orchards like Joycon’s in Balhannah.
In Balhannah, thousands and thousands of trees cover hillsides in long straight rows disappearing into the distance. Many varieties, like very popular Pink Lady’s, are planted in large numbers for sale both locally and overseas.
There is much to know when growing apples on such a large scale. Smaller sized trees are planted throughout. They are easier to maintain, develop bigger, better quality fruit and importantly are easier to pick, which means no ladders, just pull down the top of the tree and pull the fruit off.
Grafting varieties onto a semi dwarfed rootstock reduces vigour and slows growth resulting in a smaller tree. Also, planting closer together encourages root competition between trees and quickly reduces their growth.
To encourage better fruiting, trees are grown with a main central leader. Long lateral growth is trimmed back and fruit bearing spurs are left on. Once fruit develops, bunches are thinned leaving two apples. This maintains the size and quality of the remaining fruit.
Apples require pollination from another variety to produce fruit. When Gala apples, are planted amongst the Pink Lady’s to ensure good cross pollination and fruit set.
There are many great apple varieties and we all seem to have our favourites. One of the most recognizable apples is the glossy green Granny Smith. Developed by Maria Anne Smith in Sydney way back in 1867 it is one of the most widely grown varieties in the world
The Red Jonathan Apple (Malus Pumila ‘red Jonathon’) has nicely rounded fruit with large deep red stripes. The white flesh is both juicy and sweet.
The Golden Delicious Apple (Malus pumila ‘Golden Delicious’) produces heavy crops of creamy fleshed large round fruit. The pale green skin turns yellow as it ripens.
The Gala Apple (Malus pumila ‘Gala’) has to be one of the best eating apples. An early ripening variety, the round fruit is covered with a reddish orange blush while the creamy yellow flesh is crisp, juicy and delicious.
The Pink Lady Apple (Malus pumila ‘Pink LadyTM’) is an Australian variety that is now grown worldwide. Late fruiting, the pink to red stripes combined with its white crisp super sweet flavour makes it an absolute winner.
While you may not have room for an orchard at home, I bet you can find space to plant your favourite apple. There are so many wonderful varieties to choose from and it all starts with visit your local garden centre.
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Apples are one of our favourite fruits, packed into kid’s lunchboxes, eaten as a snack or baked into pies, we just love them. While most of us only know this fruit from our trips to the greengrocer, the real apple story begins in large orchards like Joycon’s in Balhannah.
In Balhannah, thousands and thousands of trees cover hillsides in long straight rows disappearing into the distance. Many varieties, like very popular Pink Lady’s, are planted in large numbers for sale both locally and overseas.
There is much to know when growing apples on such a large scale. Smaller sized trees are planted throughout. They are easier to maintain, develop bigger, better quality fruit and importantly are easier to pick, which means no ladders, just pull down the top of the tree and pull the fruit off.
Grafting varieties onto a semi dwarfed rootstock reduces vigour and slows growth resulting in a smaller tree. Also, planting closer together encourages root competition between trees and quickly reduces their growth.
To encourage better fruiting, trees are grown with a main central leader. Long lateral growth is trimmed back and fruit bearing spurs are left on. Once fruit develops, bunches are thinned leaving two apples. This maintains the size and quality of the remaining fruit.
Apples require pollination from another variety to produce fruit. When Gala apples, are planted amongst the Pink Lady’s to ensure good cross pollination and fruit set.
There are many great apple varieties and we all seem to have our favourites. One of the most recognizable apples is the glossy green Granny Smith. Developed by Maria Anne Smith in Sydney way back in 1867 it is one of the most widely grown varieties in the world
The Red Jonathan Apple (Malus Pumila ‘red Jonathon’) has nicely rounded fruit with large deep red stripes. The white flesh is both juicy and sweet.
The Golden Delicious Apple (Malus pumila ‘Golden Delicious’) produces heavy crops of creamy fleshed large round fruit. The pale green skin turns yellow as it ripens.
The Gala Apple (Malus pumila ‘Gala’) has to be one of the best eating apples. An early ripening variety, the round fruit is covered with a reddish orange blush while the creamy yellow flesh is crisp, juicy and delicious.
The Pink Lady Apple (Malus pumila ‘Pink LadyTM’) is an Australian variety that is now grown worldwide. Late fruiting, the pink to red stripes combined with its white crisp super sweet flavour makes it an absolute winner.
While you may not have room for an orchard at home, I bet you can find space to plant your favourite apple. There are so many wonderful varieties to choose from and it all starts with visit your local garden centre.
AS SEEN ON 
