Family Apple Tree (Malus domestica) LIGOL + AGRIS + RUBĪNS 26/2

Family Multi-Apple Tree (3 in 1): Ligol + Agris + Rubīns

An extraordinary combination of a famous Polish late-winter staple, an extremely early Latvian summer variety, and a frost-hardy dessert gem from Kazakhstan.

1. Apple 'Ligol' (Late winter variety)

Poland's most famous late winter variety, producing enormous, crunchy apples with an outstandingly long storage life.

At the end of the harvest season, the variety 'Ligol' comes into maturity. Bred in Skierniewice, Poland in 1972 (a cross of 'Linda' x 'Golden Delicious'), it is a leading commercial and garden variety in Eastern Europe, highly valued for its consistent yields, early entry into bearing, and superb fruit quality.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Gigantic fruits: Very large, highly attractive apples featuring a smooth, glossy, and firm skin.
• Superb storage life: Keeps exceptionally well until March in a standard cold cellar, and up to May in ULO storage, without losing its firmness or juiciness.
• Exquisite flavor: Extremely crisp, firm, and juicy flesh with a balanced, highly satisfying sweet-tart taste.
• Heavy production: Begins cropping very early in its life and yields abundantly.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Round-conical apples with distinct ribbing around the calyx. The greenish-yellow skin is covered by an intense, bright crimson blush.
• Harvest period: Late September to early October (reaches eating ripeness after a few weeks of storage).
• Grower's tip: Due to its heavy crop load, fruit thinning is absolutely essential to prevent biennial bearing. Calcium sprays are recommended to prevent bitter pit.

2. Apple 'Agris' / syn. 'Agra' (Very early summer variety)

A resilient Latvian early summer variety with attractive red striping, highly suited for organic cultivation.

In the warmest part of summer, the variety 'Agris' (registered in Latvia as 'Agra' in 2002) ripens. Created by crossing 'Quinte', 'Suislepp', and 'Bumbierābele', it is highly valued for its excellent frost and disease resistance, making it a perfect low-maintenance choice for home gardens.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Extremely early: Ripens before or alongside the famous 'Baltais Dzidrais' (Yellow Transparent).
• Good shelf life: For a summer apple, it stays fresh for an unusually long period – up to 2 weeks after harvest.
• Organic friendly: Highly resistant to apple scab and fruit rot, requiring minimal to no chemical treatment.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance and flavor: Small to medium, round-conical fruits with a bright red striped blush. The creamy-yellow flesh is moderately firm, fine-grained, and sweet-tart.
• Harvest period: Late July to early August. Thinning is recommended to achieve the best fruit size and quality.

3. Apple 'Rubīns' / Kazakh (Early winter variety)

A robust, highly winter-hardy treasure bearing massive, raspberry-red fruits of outstanding dessert quality.

Originating from Kazakhstan (a cross of 'Renet Burchardta' x 'Suislepper'), this variety should not be confused with the Czech variety 'Rubín'. The Kazakh 'Rubīns' has gained immense popularity in the Baltic states and colder climates due to its extreme frost hardiness and massive, visually stunning fruits.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Spectacular appearance: Enormous fruits (commonly up to 240 g) are covered with a solid, vibrant raspberry-red blush speckled with distinct white lenticels.
• Premium dessert flavor: Fine, very juicy, and highly aromatic flesh boasting an exquisite sweet-sour dessert profile.
• Robust performance: Easily tolerates severe winters as well as summer droughts, and shows good general disease resistance.
• Partially self-fertile: Capable of self-pollinating, though cross-pollination with the other varieties on the tree maximizes yield.

Fruit and Harvest

• Harvest period: Late September to early October. The unique dessert flavor and aroma develop to their full potential during storage.
• Storage: Highly storable, keeping in excellent condition in a cellar until January or February.
• Pruning tip: The tree has a vigorous growth habit and benefits most from thinning cuts. Regular severe heading back of one-year shoots is not recommended.