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Malus domestica 'GLOSTER' apple tree – midseason
Malus
The Apple Tree (Malus domestica) belongs among the most important fruit trees of the temperate zone. It originated through complex hybridization of several wild species, especially Malus sieversii from present-day Kazakhstan, Malus orientalis from the Caucasus, and Malus sylvestris, the European crab apple. Botanically, it is classified in the rose family (Rosaceae), which also includes pears, quinces, and cherries. The domestic apple has been cultivated and bred by humans for millennia, with archaeological finds confirming its consumption as early as the Bronze Age. Today it is the most widespread fruit tree in the world, with thousands of cultivars differing in shape, taste, color, and ripening time. In Europe and across the temperate zone it feels so much at home that we take it for granted, while in subtropical and tropical regions apples are regarded as exotic and expensive delicacies — much as we look at their mangoes or papayas.
We Europeans consider apples our everyday treasure — both in flavor and in health. The well-known English proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has its roots in 19th‑century Wales, where it originally went: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Modern research gives this saying a surprisingly firm foundation: regular apple consumption lowers cholesterol, benefits the heart, supports a healthy gut microbiome, is associated with reduced risk of diabetes and certain cancers, strengthens the body, and aids detoxification. Polyphenols act anti‑inflammatorily, and fiber (especially pectin) regulates digestion — making the apple a true “little pharmacy in your pocket.” And at the same time, it tastes wonderful. Who doesn’t know the typical Central European apple strudel, with its oldest recipe recorded in Vienna in 1697? From an aristocratic dessert it became a symbol of homely comfort even in modest households, and although it remains one of the most beloved pastries in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany, like all good things it has spread across the world and been warmly embraced. Incidentally, the abundance of fruit alleys along old country roads in our land is thanks to Empress Maria Theresa, who during her reign (1740–1780) ordered their planting. The trees were meant to provide shade and fruit for soldiers and travelers, while at the same time preventing looting and food theft in villages.
The fruits of Gloster apple are large, conical to bell‑shaped, often reminiscent of ‘Starking Delicious’. The skin is green, almost entirely covered with a deep red coloration and a strong bloom, giving the apples a striking and attractive appearance. The flesh is pale greenish, crisp, juicy, and aromatic, with a pleasantly tangy flavor. Harvest takes place in mid‑October, eating maturity begins in December, and the fruits can be stored until March while retaining both quality and appearance. Thanks to their size and long keeping quality, they are well suited for fresh consumption as well as for culinary use. The most common rootstock is M9 for intensive plantings, while MM106 is used for medium‑sized trees with longer lifespan.
The cultivar originated in Germany in 1951 at the breeding station in Jork near Hamburg, from a cross between ‘Weisser Winterglockenapfel’ (Bellflower) and ‘Richared Delicious’. It was introduced into practice in 1967 and registered in Czechoslovakia in 1986. The tree grows vigorously, forming narrower pyramidal crowns with reddish wood and petioles. It flowers in the mid‑late season, which reduces the risk of frost damage to the blossoms, and is self‑sterile, requiring suitable pollinators. The best partners are ‘Golden Delicious’, Cox’s Orange Pippin’, or ‘Gala’, while ‘Gloster’ itself is also a good pollinator for other cultivars. It is characterized by high and regular yields, notable resistance to powdery mildew, and good winter hardiness, making it a reliable choice even for cooler regions.
Apple trees in general are not demanding to grow. They thrive best in sunny sites with fertile loamy to sandy‑loam soils that are well‑drained and moderately moist. The optimal pH is slightly acidic to neutral. They do not tolerate permanently waterlogged soils, nor extremely dry and windy locations where fruit may drop prematurely. Young slender trees and half‑standards should be tied to a stake to ensure straight growth, while tall‑standards benefit from a firm wind‑brace for the first three years. During this period (and preferably longer) the soil above the roots should be kept clean of grass and weeds. Fertilization can be light, ideally organic, but is not essential. Pruning, on the other hand, is generally discouraged — it is an old and misguided habit of previous generations that often resulted in water sprouts and overcrowded crowns without fruit. Modern experience shows that, given the right site, apple trees shape a balanced crown on their own and bear reliably without intervention. Most cultivars are highly frost‑hardy, easily withstanding temperatures below –30 °C, so in our conditions they require no winter protection. At harvest and in storage, however, the fruit should be handled carefully, as even small bruises can shorten its keeping quality.
Last update: 24-10-2022; 23-10-2025
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
