Malus domestica 'JONAGOLD'

Jonagold is a great dessert apple variety that combines the best of both its parents. It has the sweetness of Golden Delicious as well as mild sharpness and aroma of Jonathan. The flesh is crispy and very juicy. Moreover, Jonagold is a very attractive apple to look at – it is honey yellow with rich red flush, in some locations the fruit can be red all over. It was bred in Geneva, USA, and introduced in 1943.

As a late apple it is best appreciated after 1-2 months of storage, usually from Christmas until February and can be stored until late spring. Still, if the season was good, it can be eaten off the tree and will taste excellent. Just one thing needs to be checked – diseases. It is somewhat resistant to scab but needs some care as far as powdery mildew. Rather than using chemical sprays make sure the tree has enough room without other trees' branches too close, and never let the ground dry out completely, nor keep it wet.

Apple trees should be pruned in mid-winter. Remove vertical branches and shorten side branches. Fruiting wood is mostly horizontal. It needs humus-rich, well-drained soil. It benefits from additional irrigation in summer. It is self-sterile and needs a pollinator to crop well. These are examples of the best pollination partners: Fuji, Gala, Golden Reinette, Granny Smith, James Grieve, Melrose, Otava, Pinova, Rubín, Spartan, Starking. It is fully hardy but needs to be placed in full sun and a warm location to fruit well.

Last update 03-05-2011; 17-01-2019