We dispatch our trees every Tuesday, for delivery to most states of Australia. WA & TAS are sent on the first Tuesday of the month.

Last Dispatch before Christmas is now closed (Tues 17th Dec). Gift Cards can be emailed to friends & family!

Next Dispatch will be 13th Jan, 2025. Happy Christmas!

Fruit in Focus | Anna Apple

March 02, 2020

anna apple variety on a fruit salad tree for subtropics of australia

The Anna apple is a low chill apple variety that is suitable for the subtropics - an early fruiting variety that is great for eating straight off the tree and for cooking scrumptious apple pies and apple sauces.                        

Fruit characteristics: A sweet and crunchy apple similar to a Red Delicious, produces an abundant amount of fruit once it reaches maturity. Red over yellow/green in colour.

Blossoms: Pink buds and bloom as white flowers in Spring.

Pollination Information: Self pollinating

Preferred Climate: 'ALL Climate' apple (Low Chill) that is suitable for the subtropics.

Chill Hours: >300hrs

Height: When planted in the ground our multi-grafted Apple Fruit Salad Trees will grow to approximately 2.5 metres.

pH Range: 6.5-7.3 pH

Frost: As spring temperatures often fluctuate it is always good to think about protecting your blossoms from frost.

Fruiting Season: December - February

Pro Tip: Potassium is a great nutrient to add to your apple Fruit Salad Tree to encourage growing vigour in Spring.

Did you know? Apple trees look great grown along a trellis (also known as espalier). they benefit from being positioned against a north or west facing wall.

Which apple should I choose?

When it comes to selecting apples, the most important factor is choosing an apple suitable for your winter conditions; Cold Climate Apples require long COLD winters to accumulate enough chill hours to produce fruit where as ALL climate apples are low chill and don't need as many hours over the cooler months. All our apple combinations have climate maps that you can utilise to find out what apples suit your region.

How to grow your multi-grafted Fruit Salad Tree

Location: At least 6 hours of full sun (morning sun is best), protected from the wind, and not too close to metal fencing that will generate heat (eg colorbond).

Soil: Well drained and slightly acidic; with a pH around 6.0 -7.0. Apples don't like alkaline soils - If your soil is too Alkaline (your pH is high) you can increase the acidity by adding powdered sulphur, manures or Iron chelates. Adding lime, dolomite or poultry manure to your soil will decrease the acidity in your garden soil

Annual growing program:

  • Autumn - This time of year is perfect for pruning any weak or crossing branches. Remove any rootstock that is growing along the trunk or that is springing up from the soil. Clean your garden area and remove dead leaves, and twigs from underneath your Fruit Tree canopy.
  • Winter - Applying a copper spray will line your newly growing buds with a protective coating and also help keep the nasty coddling moth under control.
  • Spring - Applying a spray of Lime Sulphur at bud burst will help prevent fungal diseases like apple scab.
  • Summer - Keep up your balancing every few weeks to help keep the growing energy balanced between all of the varieties - it is especially important during the warmer months of the year.

Tip: When growing your Fruit Salad Trees in a pot you may need to fertilise more regularly. Always follow the directions on the container.

Thinning Fruit: During the fruiting season it is a good idea to thin your fruit crop. If you have too much fruit or if they are rubbing together take out the smallest fruit to encourage the tree to put its energy into growing larger fruit.

Thinning is the process of removing a selection of fruit from your trees while the fruit is still small; by doing this you improve your fruit quality and size, helps keep yearly fruit production regular (avoid biennial bearing) and avoid damage to your frame work from excess weight.

Can they grow in pots? Yes; we recommend planting your Fruit Salad Tree in pots starting in size of around 40 cm in diameter (see our care instructions for more information).

Sign up for seasonal tree care tips and discounts

Our nursery team prepare current, in depth tree care guides each month, which give you the information you need to care for your Fruit Salad Tree as the seasons change. By signing up, you'll also receive our VIP specials. Sign up here, and unsubscribe at any time.

Fruit Salad Trees make perfectly different gifts!

Our gift cards are emailed instantly, so give the gift that keeps on giving! Let them choose the fruit to grow on their tree, and we'll deliver to their doorstep, Australia wide. If you'd like to surprise them with a Fruit Salad Tree, choosing the fruit can be difficult, so here's our guide to choosing the different fruit for your loved one to grow!

Fruit Salad Trees make great gifts for mothers day and fathers day

You can also check out our current specials here!

Shop all Apple Fruit Salad Trees here:

 




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