Antonovka apple
Antonovka is a popular cooking or dual-purpose apple, known for its excellent cold-hardiness.
Antonovka is unusual in that it is perhaps better considered as a population of related varieties rather than a single cultivar. Unlike most apple varieties it also grows reasonably true from seed so can be propagated without grafting. As a result there is quite a range of variation in its characteristics. In most areas Antonovka is picked in early mid-season, but some forms in some northern areas are picked much later and can be kept into winter.
Antonovka apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Antonovka
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Sports of this variety
- Antonovka Kamenichka - Possible sport
Sports are natural genetic mutations of the original variety.
Visitor reviews
- 14 Nov 2013 Rod-, FinlandLovely to eat, slightly spicy. Flesh firm, very fine-grained, not at all coarse.
- 05 Jan 2012 DavoMINNESOTA, United StatesI'm reading a book by the Russian writer Ivan Bunin. There is a quote in the book "Good Antonovka's bring good years" then "If there's a healthy crop of Antonovka's the wheat will be healthy and the coming harvest will be plentiful."
- 03 Jun 2011 TomasCzech RepublicMy uncle has a variety of Antonovka which has very large yellow apples.
- 25 Dec 2010 IzmailovaBRUSSELS, BelgiumI would like to buy an apple tree Antonovka for my garden. As I live in Europe, it would be easier for me to buy it from your British nurseries.
- 01 Jan 2010 Orange PippinUnited KingdomStarter post
Tree register
United States
- Abe Curtis in Jensen, UTAH
- Axel Kratel in Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA
- Earl Tuson in Loudon, NH
- Fred Stager in KODIAK, ALASKA
- Jady Morelli in Allendale, MI
- James Kulbacki in Cheyenne, WY
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- Joel Howie in Canton, NEW YORK
- Karl Schmidt in Estelline, SD
- Nancy Crossley in Oxford, MICHIGAN
- Nathan Parker in Mount Shasta, CA
- Ryan Grover in Vineyard, UTAH
- Terry Smith in Prescott Valley, AZ
United Kingdom
- Des Kelly in INVERNESS,
- Nick Burrows in Helmsley, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Canada
- David in New-Richmond, QUEBEC\CANADA
Poland
- Richard in Krakow,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2020 season
- 25th April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 16th April 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2014 season
- June 2014 - tree owned by David in New-Richmond, Canada
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Kursk, Russia
- Introduced: 1820s
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1948-666
- Some historical details taken with kind permission from 'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards , illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle, published by Ebury Press, 2002.
Identification
- Country of origin: Russia
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Fruit colour: Green - light
- Flower colour: Pink - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Dual purpose
- Picking period: late August
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
- Rootstock size class: Standard
- Rootstock % of standard: 100%
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Vigorous
- Precocity: Slow to start bearing
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Spreading / Flat-topped
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 3 (-40C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some resistance
- Fire blight: Some resistance
- Burr knots: Few
- Collar rot: Some resistance
- Crown rot: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Antonovka apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Antonovka apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Antonovka:
United States
Maine
- Plowshares Community Farm, Gorham
Canada
British Columbia
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island