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gravenstein apples in colorado #750498

Asked May 17, 2021, 5:55 PM EDT

I grew up with gravenstein apples as the go-to favorite but have no seen them since eaving Oregon. I would love to grow them but don't know if I would live long enough to see fruit. So, some questions--Are dwarf trees available? since they are not only smaller, they produce fruit sooner. What would be an appropriate tree as a pollinator? I do have an existing crabapple tree but do not know the variety but know it is not the common ornamental variety with tiny fruit on many of the curb sides in Colorado Springs. Several years ago we had a dwarf red delicious and a dwarf yellow delicious near that tree but the deer liked them too much like a salad bar.. There undoubtedly other things I would like to know but this a starter for me. Please give me any information that might be helpful.

El Paso County Colorado

Expert Response

Hello Sandra

I can find very little information on Gravenstein apples in Colorado. Here is a link to a fact sheet on varieties recommended for Colorado: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/fruits/1201-apples/

I did find this description of the apples at https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/sandpoint-organic-agriculture-center/apples

These apples are rated zone 6 to 10. Most of the Pikes Peak region is zone 5, likely too cold for this variety. 

Gravenstein — Germany or Denmark 1790

The Gravenstein needs no introduction in Northern California where it has long been the premium variety. Fruit medium to large, skin thin, tender, greenish-yellow with broken stripes of red. Flesh firm, crisp, juicy, tart. Good for eating fresh, and one of the best apples for pies, sauce and juice. A few apple varieties for pollination are the Red Astrachan and/or the Jonathan. Triploid.

  • Uses: Fresh eating, cider and cooking
  • Harvest: Early
  • Zones: 6-10
  • Attributes: Great cooking apple

I hope this helps, it doesn't sound like it is a good fit for Colorado.

Freddie B. Replied May 26, 2021, 11:01 PM EDT

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