Topaz apple

Malus domestica

One of the best modern disease-resistant varieties, fairly sharp flavour

Topaz is a modern disease-resistant apple variety from the Czech Republic, distantly related to James Grieve. It always does well in taste tests, especially if you like a sharper-tasting apple.

Topaz is a medium or medium-large apple, although the size can vary. The skin colour is yellow, almost completely overlaid with red and crimson flush. The flesh is crisp and cream-coloured.

Like many disease-resistant varieties, Topaz has an interesting parentage. It is a cross between Vanda and Rubin, both developed in the Czech Republic in the latter part of the 20th century. Rubin is in turn a cross between Lord Lambourne and Golden Delicious, whilst one of the parents of Vanda is also Lord Lambourne. Not surprisingly therefore Topaz is reminiscent of Lord Lambourne, and its grandfather James Grieve, although it is much more crunchy and crisp than James Grieve.

Also like Lord Lambourne and James Grieve, Topaz is a good apple for the garden, being fairly easy and reliable to grow.  The main horticultural problem is that the fruit size can be on the small side, so a good session thinning the fruitlets at the end of May is usually called for.

If you like the juicy sharpness of James Grieve or Lord Lambourne, but want something more crisp then Topaz is a great choice. Fans of Granny Smith may also like it.

Last updated 10 Jun 2010 by Orange Pippin.

Summary

  • Parentage: Lord Lambourne
  • Origin: Czech Republic
  • Introduced: 1990s
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 106000

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

See also:

  • Rajka - Rajka and Topaz were both developed at the Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Republic

Identification photos


Blossom

Blossom

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Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

28 Apr 2010 Dave LiezenWA, United States
Alex, I see you wrote asking about this in February, and I find your plea 27th April. It may be too late to order for this season, but Adams County Nursery carries Topaz. By your phone # you must live in the States and therefore could order from this company. (OrangePippin.com is based in the UK; I don't believe you or I could order trees from overseas, for instance, Keepers Nursery.)
22 Feb 2010 AlexNEW JERSEY, United States
Hi, Could anyone send me several pieces of Topaz scion wood? I will pay for it and shipping. Please! I've been looking for it on the internet and this is the single topic where it was found. It is needed for my dad. He's going crazy about this Topaz for a long time. My email is alexrudniy@gmail.com cell 646-684-5876 Thank you.
09 Nov 2009 RobinAPPLE COUNTRY, NY, United States
Tasted my first Topaz yesterday. One of our local growers just had their first harvest this year. I was impressed. This apple is tasty and crisp with a nice tartness. I did not think that it was as tart as a Granny Smith, so if you are looking for a very tart apple, this might not be for you, but for those that like semi-tart this would be an excellent choice.
15 Sep 2009 MargotSwitzerland
I bought and planted my "Topaz" tree last autumn...The tree was an absolute delight in spring, with very healthy looking leaves and blossom..Apples appeared soon afterwards but then disaster struck. I awoke one morning to find my beloved little tree had been infected with "fire blight"...It`s still hanging on in there, (It`s now September) and did`nt drop any of it`s nine apples..:-) I watered it everyday after noticing the attack and gave it an occasional feed. I`m now hoping that next year it will come back as the healthy little tree I first bought..
04 Dec 2008 T.M.BoerIJSSELSTEIN , Netherlands
I can tell you this is one of the best apples I know. This tree is now 6 years in my garden. i get plenty of apples every year, and all that without spraying
23 Oct 2007 Jon ClementsMA, United States
Adams County Nursery has sold Topaz trees. Just fruiting this variety, I am impressed -- one of the best scab-resistant apples I have seen, and I have seen a lot of them!
09 Oct 2007 Gary KaszasMAINE, United States
Do you know where I can get scion wood for the topaz apple in the USA?

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Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Topaz apple trees for sale:


Apple tree register

The following Topaz apple trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.


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