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All about apples, pears, plums, and cherries - and orchards where they are grown

Rubinola apple

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Rubinola

Modern apple breeders are increasingly managing to develop new varieties which are both disease-resistant and have a good flavor.

In Europe scab-resistance is a major issue for growers, and Rubinola is a typical modern variety which incorporates a gene for scab-resistance, usually achieved by including crab apples such as Malus floribunda in the parentage.  However scab-resistant does not mean scab-proof, and the single gene may be overcome by the scab organism in real-world conditions.

Rubinola has a good sweet/sharp flavor.  The flesh is crisp but with a light texture, and is easy to eat.  The skin can develop a slight greasy sheen, but this is not noticeable when eating.  Slices do not oxidise (brown) when cut.

Rubinola apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Rubinola

USDA identification images for Rubinola

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.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 17 Sep 2022 
      My 4-year old Rubinola has cropped for the first time around 30 apples, we let ripen six or seven. Sharp taste, juicy, looking perfectly like from the catalogue. Not treated for any disease, as we did not expect any crop.
    • 09 Oct 2018  CORNWALL, United Kingdom
      Looks nice, good flavour, but it is a tip bearer, definately not a spur bearer which makes it a bit more tricky to grow. Not a heavy cropper so far, tree is about 6 years old on M26. Very nice ornamental flowers in spring, but as said before can't be pruned to shape very easily due to tip bearing.
    • 10 Apr 2016  KENT, United Kingdom
      This apple has a very special taste, at least to me. The flavour has a hint of elder and apple-flower honey. Very special taste. But I guess that it depends on the spread to boot. I also had a special taste experience with the Altess apple. It is sour but at the same time it is sweet too. Very different from what I'm used to with apples.
    • 22 Sep 2013  KILKENNY, Ireland
      I have found Rubinola a delightful apple -- a very nice light and juicy texture and a delicious sweet flavour

    Tree register

    United Kingdom

    Belgium

    Netherlands

    Sweden

    Poland

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 18th April  2022  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    2018 season

    • 25th April  2018  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    2017 season

    • 20th April  2017  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    2016 season

    • 10th May  2016  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2017 season

    • 3rd week September  2017  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    2016 season

    • 3rd week September  2016  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Prima x Rubin
    • Originates from: Czech Republic

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Czech Republic
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Fruit colour: Red
    • Flower colour: Pink - light
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
    • Flesh colour: Cream
    • Fruit size: Average
    • Fruit shape: Round

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Exceptional
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
    • Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
    • Juice style: Sweeter
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Juice
    • Picking month: September
    • Picking period: late September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Average
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Slightly large
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
    • Organic culture: Suitable
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
    • Sunlight: Prefers full sun
    • Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
    • Soil type: Normal
    • Pruning: No need to prune

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good
    • Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
    • Powdery mildew: Some resistance

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Rubinola:

    United States




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