Gravenstein apple
Malus domestica
An old apple variety from Denmark which is popular in both Europe and North America.
Gravenstein is an attractive high-quality dessert and culinary apple, first described in 1797. It is well-known in the USA and northern Europe, and is still grown commercially on a small-scale.
Gravenstein is a triploid variety and as is often the case with such varieties, produces a large vigourous tree with dark thick leaves. There is also a red "sport" known as Red Gravenstein, where the red coloration is more pronounced (and we think less interesting).
As might be expected from its (probable) northern European origins, Gravenstein is a hardy variety and can withstand difficult conditions. Inspite of this hardiness it is prone to many diseases and therefore has never achieved the popularity it deserves.
Not surprisingly for such an old variety, the origins are uncertain. It is most closely associated with Denmark, and although widely known as "Gravenstein" in English-speaking countries, an alternative name is "Graasten" since it is thought the mother tree was raised at Graasten Castle in southern Jutland, Denmark.
We are grateful to Johnny Olsen of Vejle, Denmark for the following information:
- In his 1940 book "Denmarks Fruit Varieties" (Danmarks Frugtsorter) Danish pomologist Anton Pedersen gave Gravenstein 3 stars for eating quality, a score equalled by only one other variety - Signe Tillisch.
- Gravenstein was declared the "national apple" of Denmark in 2005.
We are also grateful to Bill of Vancouver Island for pointing out some excellent Gravenstein identification photos on his website: mars.ark.com/~squeeze/apl-pics/grav.html
Summary
- Parentage: Unknown
- Origin: Denmark
- Introduced: 1797 but much older
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 110700
Identification
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Medium
- Bultitude apple group: 4. Flushed / striped, smooth, dessert / dual-purpose
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for cooking
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style: Sweet/Sharp
- Ripening period: Mid season
- Use / keeping: 2-3 weeks
Growing
- Flowering period: Early season
- Flowering group: 1
- Fertility: Self-sterile
- Triploid: Yes
- Poor pollinator
- Vigour: Large
- Gardening skill: Requires a bit of effort
- General disease resistance: Poor
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates
- Tolerates cold winters
Disease resistance
- Bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae - Some susceptibility
- Scab - Some susceptibility
- Mildew - Some susceptibility
Mature tree heights for this variety (approximate)
| Rootstock | Soil quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Below average | Average | Above average | Very good | |
| P22 | 2.7 ft 0.8 m |
3.4 ft 1.0 m |
4.1 ft 1.2 m |
4.7 ft 1.5 m |
5.4 ft 1.7 m |
| M27 | 3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
| M9 | 5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
8.1 ft 2.5 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Bud.9 | 5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
8.1 ft 2.5 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Geneva 16 | 5.4 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
8.1 ft 2.5 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Geneva 11 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| M26 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| Geneva 30 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| MM102 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| M7 | 8.1 ft 2.5 m |
10.1 ft 3.1 m |
12.2 ft 3.7 m |
14.2 ft 4.3 m |
16.2 ft 5.0 m |
| M116 | 8.1 ft 2.5 m |
10.1 ft 3.1 m |
12.2 ft 3.7 m |
14.2 ft 4.3 m |
16.2 ft 5.0 m |
| MM106 | 9.0 ft 2.8 m |
11.3 ft 3.5 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
| MM111 | 10.8 ft 3.3 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
16.2 ft 5.0 m |
18.9 ft 5.8 m |
21.6 ft 6.6 m |
| Bud.118 | 12.6 ft 3.9 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
18.9 ft 5.8 m |
22.1 ft 6.8 m |
25.2 ft 7.7 m |
| M25 | 14.4 ft 4.4 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
21.6 ft 6.6 m |
25.2 ft 7.7 m |
28.8 ft 8.8 m |
Relationships to other varieties
Offspring of this variety:
- Filippa - Filippa is thought to be a seedling of Gravenstein