Jonagold apple

Origin: Jonathan and Golden Delicious

Jonagold apple (Mālus Jonagold) – a popular American cultivar of winter ripening. Obtained in 1943. In the early 1970s it underwent primary testing, in the 1980s – secondary production testing in plantations of the Steppe and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. In southern Polissya it is preferably tested on cold-hardy scaffold-forming rootstocks.

It is a vigorous tree. In youth it has a broadly oval crown, in maturity a globular, moderately dense crown. Scaffold branches depart from the trunk at a wide angle. Bud responsiveness is above average, shoot-forming ability is average. Fruits on fruiting spurs, ringlets and one-year-old growth.

Blooms in medium terms, triploid. Fruit set percentage from open pollination – 9-21%.

Best pollinizers: Gloster, Idared, Jonathan, Cox Orange Pippin, Elstar, Champion.

Begins fruiting in the 3rd year after planting. In the Kyiv region the yield of a 5-7-year-old tree reaches 10-15 kg, 10-12-year-old trees – 40-55 kg of fruit. Yield does not depend on weather conditions.

Fruits are above medium to large in size, 170-220 g, rounded in shape, uniform. Ground color – greenish-yellow, overcolor – orange-red, a diffuse striped blush on 2/3 of the fruit. Skin of medium thickness, fairly firm, smooth, elastic, glossy. Flesh juicy, firm, yellow, of excellent harmonious flavor. Tasting score – 4.6 points.

Harvest ripeness occurs at the end of September, consumer ripeness – in January. In storage fruits keep until January-February, in cold storage – until April. Transportability of fruits is high.

Frost hardiness zone 6a

Location: prefers sunny and open sites. pH 5.0-6.5. It is necessary to plant with 2-3 best pollinizers in the orchard block.

Pruning: recommended forms – bush, spindle, tiered, fruit wall.

Diseases and pests: resistance to scab is medium, to powdery mildew – low.

Uses: fruits are consumed fresh, for cooking, for producing premium juice, cider, and dried powders.