Family Apple Tree (Malus domestica) MERRIGOLD + BALTAIS DZIDRAIS + KORTA 26/5

Family Multi-Apple Tree (3 in 1): Merrigold + Baltais Dzidrais + Korta

A unique summer-to-autumn combination of Baltic varieties on a single tree. Enjoy extremely early summer apples from the start of the holidays followed by highly aromatic autumn yields in September.

1. Apple 'Merrigold' (Autumn variety)

An old Latvian autumn variety yielding attractive bright yellow fruits, showing good frost resistance and a rich aroma.

In mid-September, the traditional Latvian variety 'Merrigold' reaches maturity. The tree displays a weak to moderate growth habit and is highly valued for its reliable fruit attachment, preventing premature dropping.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Excellent dessert taste: Apples boast a balanced, aromatic sweet-tart flavor profile.
• No fruit drop: Ripe apples hold firmly onto the branches, extending the harvest window.
• Good winter hardiness: Well suited for colder climates and harsh winters.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Medium to large, oblong fruits of a bright yellow color with a thin waxy coating and sparse lenticels. The flesh is highly juicy, fine-grained, and tender.
• Chemical profile: Soluble solids (Brix) level of 9.8 ° and total acid level of 2.5 g/L.
• Harvest period: Mid-September.
• Disease resistance: Moderate general resistance, requiring basic routine orchard care.

2. Apple 'Baltais Dzidrais' (Early summer variety)

The ultimate early summer classic, widely known and loved under the names 'Yellow Transparent', 'White Transparent' or 'Papirovka'.

At the turn of July and August, the legendary variety 'Baltais Dzidrais' yields refreshing summer apples. It is the most internationally recognized early summer variety, celebrated for its rapid entry into bearing, extreme winter hardiness, and versatile culinary use.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Extremely early harvest: One of the very first apples of the summer season, initiating the fruit year.
• Prolific bearer: Begins producing fruit very soon after planting and crops consistently every year.
• Easy to grow: A robust, time-tested variety suitable even for beginners. Shows good resistance to apple scab.
• Utility: Superb for eating fresh straight from the branch, and outstanding for summer pies, sauces, and purées.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance and taste: Medium to large fruits with a characteristic pale yellow to greenish-yellow skin. The white flesh is crisp, tender, and refreshingly sweet-tart.
• Harvest period: Late July to early August. Ready for immediate consumption upon harvesting.
• Storage: None. Best enjoyed immediately or processed quickly, as the delicate fruits do not keep.

3. Apple 'Korta' (Very early summer variety)

An exceptionally early Latvian variety yielding remarkably sweet fruits, characterized by its natural chimera genetics.

Rounding out the summer selection is the unique Latvian variety 'Korta', bred in 1947 by A. Vāvere in Pūre. Genetic analysis has shown that 'Baltais Dzidrais' was likely its pollinator. The variety is a natural chimera, meaning branches can bear fruits of varying color intensities on the same tree.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Even earlier than Transparent: Ripens slightly ahead of the popular 'Baltais Dzidrais'.
• Unusually sweet: While most summer apples are tart, 'Korta' stands out with large, distinctly sweet fruits.
• Visual diversity: Natural chimera qualities bring a delightful variety of fruit colorations to the tree.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Large, pale yellow apples with delicate brick-pink stripes and splashes. The flesh is exceedingly juicy and soft.
• Harvest period: Very early summer (mid-to-late July).
• Hardiness: Good winter hardiness and moderate disease resistance.