Apple tree (Malus domestica) INALINA

Apple (Malus domestica) - Variety 'Inalina' (syn. H-7-97-38)

'Inalina' is an extremely specific Latvian new breeding currently being prepared for official registration (planned for 2026). A scientific study classifies it into the category of so-called niche varieties.

Apple (Malus domestica) 'Inalina'

It is an apple developed with a single, yet very clear goal: to satisfy lovers of absolutely sweet apples without any acid. If you are looking for refreshing tartness, this variety is not for you. However, if you love pure, honey-like sweetness, 'Inalina' is a perfect choice.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extremely sweet taste without acid (ideal for a specific consumer group and children).
• High sugar content (Brix up to 16.3°).
• Very good storability (until March).
• Good resistance to fruit rots.
• High yield of mature trees.

Origin and Breeding

• Status: Variety candidate (application submission planned for 2026).
• Origin: Latvia, Dārzkopības institūts - Dobele (LatHort).
• Genetics (Crossing): Created by targeted crossing of the varieties 'Merrigold' x 'Stars'.

Detailed variety description: Plant

• Vigor and crown: The tree is characterized by strong, vigorous growth and forms an upright crown.
• Rootstock (Important): Due to the vigorous growth, breeders strongly recommend growing this variety on weakly growing (dwarfing) rootstocks (e.g., M9, B.396) to keep the tree under control.
• Yield: The onset of full fruiting is more gradual (yield increases progressively), but once the tree reaches maturity, it is very productive.

Fruits and Flavor Profile (Key feature)

• Appearance and shape: Fruits are medium to large. They have a conical, sometimes even bell-like shape. The base color is yellow, covered with a flushed red to brownish striping.
• Taste and bio-chemistry: This is the greatest specific of the variety. The apples are extremely sweet, practically without acid.
  • Sugar content (Brix): Very high, reaching 14.8 – 16.3°.
  • Acids: Extremely low, only 0.17% at harvest (during storage they drop down to 0.13%).
• Texture: The flesh has a medium firmness (4.1 – 4.6 kg/cm²). It is therefore not an extremely hard apple of the 'Honeycrisp' type, but rather a classic, pleasant texture.

Cultivation properties and agrotechnics

• Ripening and storage:
  • Harvest time: It is a late winter variety. Harvested from late September to early October.
  • Harvest specificity (Warning): Apples must be harvested only when they reach their maximum sugar content. If picked too early, their taste will be bland and empty.
  • Storability: Very good. Under normal conditions, they last until March or even longer. However, a warning applies here too – with excessively long storage (when acids drop to an absolute minimum), the taste can again seem bland.
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Diseases: The variety shows medium tolerance to apple scab. A major advantage is its good resistance to fruit rots and tolerance to other common diseases.

Drawbacks of the variety:

• Strong, vigorous growth (use of dwarfing rootstocks recommended).
• Slower onset of full fruiting.
• Upon premature harvest or very long storage, the taste can be bland and empty.
• Medium resistance to apple scab.