Apple tree (Malus domestica) SĪPOLIŅŠ

Apple (Malus domestica) 'Sīpoliņš' (Onion Apple)

An old Baltic variety with excellent flavour and very high yield.

'Sīpoliņš' (meaning "Onion Apple") is one of the most popular old varieties in Latvia and Estonia, valued for its excellent sweet flavour with a distinctive aroma, very high yield, and longevity. Although the fruits are smaller, their quality and very good storability make it a proven choice. It is also characterized by good resistance to frost and diseases.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent flavour and aroma.
• Very good storability (until January-March).
• High yield and longevity of the tree.
• Good resistance to frost and diseases.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia/Estonia
• Origin: Believed to be a seedling of the German variety ‘Edelborsdorfer’.
• Synonyms: ‘Liivi Sibulõun’, ‘Vidzemes Borsdorfietis’, ‘Livländischer Zwiebelapfel’.
• History: One of the most popular old varieties in Latvia and Estonia.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Vigorous.
• Crown: Dense.
• Lifespan: Long-living tree.

Fruit

• Size: Small.
• Colour: Yellow with a pinkish blush and dots.
• Flesh: Yellow, firm, juicy.
• Flavour: Distinctive, sweet with a mild acidity, very aromatic.
• Use: Versatile, also suitable for cider production.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Good.
• Disease resistance: Good, resistant to scab and canker.
• Requirements: Prefers loamy soils.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Due to the stronger growth of the tree, it is ideal to use at most a medium-growing rootstock, such as MM106.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late autumn to winter.
• Storability: Very good, until January-March.
• Yield: Very high.