Apple tree (Malus domestica) NIČNERA ZEMEŅU

Apple (Malus domestica) 'Ničnera Zemeņu' (Nitschners Strawberry Apple)

Probably the oldest Latvian variety with an excellent flavour and a distinctive aroma.

'Ničnera Zemeņu' (meaning "Nitschners Strawberry Apple") is a historical, probably the oldest Latvian apple variety, with the first mentions dating back to the late 18th century. It is valued for its quite large fruits with an excellent sweet-tart flavour and a distinctive aroma. It is almost unknown outside of Latvia.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent, sweet-tart flavour with a distinctive aroma.
• Probably the oldest Latvian variety.
• Quite large, attractive fruits.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia
• History: Around 1880, the gardener Nitschners sent it to the German pomologist E. Lucas, who named it ‘Erdbeerapfel Nitschners’ (Nitschners Strawberry Apple). The variety description was published in 1896 by the Riga gardener Georg Kuphaldt.

Variety Characteristics

Fruit

• Size: Quite large.
• Colour: Yellow-red with dark red stripes. There are two colour variants: dark red and striped.
• Flesh: Juicy, fine-grained.
• Flavour: Excellent, sweet-tart, with a distinctive aroma.

Resistance and Requirements

• Disease resistance: Susceptible to canker in unsuitable locations.
• Requirements: Requires fertile soil.

Cultivation Recommendations

• It is almost unknown outside of Latvia.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Autumn variety.
• Yield: Good in suitable locations, may be weaker in unsuitable ones.