Apple tree (Malus domestica) DAINA

Apple (Malus domestica) 'Daina'

A Latvian winter variety with plum-like fruits and excellent flavour.

'Daina' is a Latvian early winter apple variety, valued for its very beautiful plum-like fruits, excellent dessert flavour, and high yield. It requires fruit thinning to achieve good quality and size. It is characterized by an early entry into bearing.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High and annual yield.
• Excellent, dessert flavour with an aroma similar to the 'Lawfam' variety.
• Very beautiful plum-like fruits.
• Early entry into bearing.
• Extremely rare variety.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia
• Institution: Pūre Horticultural Research Centre
• Registration: Registered and protected in Latvia since 2011.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium to vigorous, very dependent on the rootstock used.
• Crown: Spreading.
• Fruiting habit: Mixed type.

Fruit

• Size: Medium to smaller.
• Shape and colour: Round, slightly flattened. The entire surface is covered with an intense, dark purple-red colour.
• Flesh: Creamy-white, fine-grained, medium firm, and medium juicy.
• Flavour: Excellent, dessert, sweet-tart with a predominance of sweetness, with an aroma similar to the 'Lawfam' variety.
• Use: Recommended mainly for home gardens. Suitable as a "snack" apple.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Medium.
• Disease resistance: Medium resistance to scab, canker, and mildew. The fruits are quite resistant to rot.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Requires fruit thinning.
• Suitable for training (slender spindle, palmette).
• Recommended rootstocks: MM 106, B.9, B.396.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late September to early October. Harvest must not be delayed.
• Storability: Until January-February (in ULO storage until March/April).
• Yield: High and annual, but with a tendency to alternate bearing.
• Entry into bearing: Early.
• Transportability: Good.