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Golden Delicious apple

Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious is a very popular as a supermarket apple variety, and now undergoing something of a rehabilitation amongst apple enthusiasts who are re-discovering its potential.

The variety was discovered by a West Virginia farmer at the end of the 19th century.  It is generally considered to be a seedling of Grimes Golden, to which it bears a strong resemblance.  The variety was soon taken up by the famous Stark Brothers nursery, who were so impressed by it that they bought the original tree and an area of land around it.  The tree lived on into the 1950s, by which time it had become firmly established as one of the world's great apple varieties.

Golden Delicious is now planted in all the major warm apple growing areas of the world. From a grower's perspective Golden Delicious is an attractive proposition - very easy to grow, heavy crops, and fruit which keeps in storage for a long time after harvest.

These qualities meant that by the mid-late 20th century Golden Delicious had become one of the mainstays of supermarket apple sales, along with Red Delicious and Granny Smith.  Towards the end of the 20th century when flavour once again became important in apples, detractors saw Golden Delicious as bland and boring, and it became a victim of its own success.

However enthusiasts are increasingly re-discovering Golden Delicious, and recognising that behind the mass-production and supermarket shelf-appeal there is a very good apple.  Part of the problem is that fruit picked for supermarkets is often picked when still green, and then stored for months before sale.  In contrast when allowed to ripen to a golden-green color on the tree the true flavour is revealed - exceptionally sweet and rich, almost like eating raw sugar cane.  Golden Delicious is also a versatile apple, and can be used both for dessert and cooking purposes, and it has an attractive appearance - which can indeed be golden if left to mature on the tree.

Furthermore, there is no doubting the importance of Golden Delicious in the sheer number of new varieties which have been raised from it. You do not need to be a professional grower to realise that crossing Golden Delicious with Cox's Orange Pippin (or their respective offspring) might lead to something with both the sweetness of Golden Delicious and the richness and complexity of Cox, and that is indeed what many have tried. That other supermarket staple, Gala, is a good example of this strategy.

Golden Delicious can grow well in the UK provided you have a warm and sheltered microclimate.  Our photo shows an English-grown Golden Delicious - not the perfect specimen you might see in a supermarket, but still a nice crisp sweet apple.

The variety known as Yellow Delicious is believed to be a synonym for Golden Delicious, possibly the result of unauthorized propagation from the original Golden Delicious tree.

Golden Delicious apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Golden Delicious
  • Golden Delicious
  • Golden Delicious
  • Golden Delicious

USDA identification images for Golden Delicious

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Golden Delicious

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


Offspring of this variety


Sports of this variety

Sports are natural genetic mutations of the original variety.


See also

  • Red Delicious - Golden Delicious and Red Delicious are not related, but are both commercially important varieties

Visitor reviews

  • 15 Sep 2020  MISSISSIPPI, United States
    Golden delicious is my very favorite apple. Sadly most of the stores in my area no longer have this apple.
  • 23 Jul 2020  NSW, United States
    Great tasting apple if picked when ripe should be yellow. After cool store extra sweet but not crispy. Hard to find any or good ones in the store unlike twenty years ago. Unfortunately no success growing it in Thomas Bouche hedge grows but has only had one in 15 years originally pruned for spurs then for tip does not tend to flower.
  • 23 Jul 2020  NSW, United States
    Great tasting apple if picked when ripe should be yellow. After cool store extra sweet but not crispy. Hard to find any or good ones in the store unlike twenty years ago. Unfortunately no success growing it in Thomas Bouche hedge grows but has only had one in 15 years originally pruned for spurs then for tip does not tend to flower.
  • 06 Oct 2018  ABERDEEN, United Kingdom
    When I was a lad the Golden Delicious apples in shops were yellow/golden and often freckled. They were choice apples and full of flavour. Move on some 30/40 years and I find it hard to recognise the apples sold under this name - they are hard and green and nothing like the apples from my childhood. I read somewhere that these apples are nowadays picked unripe for the British market as UK supermarkets like the keeping qualities of the unripe fruit - and the consumer has no idea what they're missing!
  • 04 Oct 2018  MARYLAND, United States
    I've tried Golden Delicious both from grocery stories and directly from local Maryland orchards. I've never liked them. Even when tree ripened the flavor is weak (the famed "pear drop sweetness" is too mild) and it has none of the tartness or crunch I look for in a good desert apple. For cooking it might do well in a delicate French tart, but it can't hold up to other American heirloom apples for a good pie. On the plus side, I've noticed children like these apples and the partially self-fertile trees are good for the home gardener.
  • 05 Mar 2017  United States
    Interesting to read these comments. I have a GD tree in my little home orchard in VT. It has been the most consistent, prolific bearer in the short five years I've lived there. Since I've been pruning, thinning and mulching I've seen some improvement and hope for more as I go. I recommend Michael Phillip's books on organic fruit growing. There's a lot to it, lots to learn. One thing that's true for sure is that there are many factors in fruit quality so that's why some people think GD are truly delicious and others think they are awful. I love studying about apple varieties and orcharding. Hope you do too.
  • 21 Feb 2017  Czech Republic
    Very very good variety !
  • 05 Oct 2016  PENNSYLVANIA, United States
    Very solid reliable production and good pollinators. As with all fruit far better when grown local verses supermarkets. Dave. Duquesne, PA.
  • 31 Mar 2016  Spain
    We have two trees, one in the old orchard that was my favorite apple among the other varieties cultured, so in the new garden we planted another tree. Fruit at the supermarket varies from insipid to just fine, but picked directly from the tree is delicious. I must admit that both apple trees are small and, if untreated like mine, suffer badly from apple scab, maggots and/or brown rot depending on the year. In sum, my excitement for the variety has decreased in recent years and is not so versatile like other varieties, but if harvested at its peak directly from the tree is a very good summer apple to eat in fresh; crispy, sweet, moderately acidic, of a medium size and not floury at all.
  • 28 Feb 2016  MICHIGAN, United States
    here in southeast Michigan, we had the coldest winter in history in the winter of 2015. With one night during bloom time it hit -28 F. I wiped out every Peach, Cherry, Apricot and most of the Apples. The only tree in the large orchard that had apples was the Golden Delicious. This is also one my best tasting apples so I was pleased with that. I have a few in a sheltered area that produced but for some reason the flavor is best in the open orchard. Mine has a hint of ginger and very sweet. I do think they are far better if you let them sit for a week after picking them but they are great right off the tree too.
  • 30 Oct 2015  MA, United States
    Golden Delicious apples were discovered in my home state, WV. Although I prefer the Macoun - popular in my new state of MA - Golden Delicious is a special apple, close to my heart as my mom wrote a children's book about it! http://www.annasmucker.com/blog/category/golden%20delicious
  • 12 Oct 2015  OK, United States
    I've been trying to grow apples for the past five years. This year, I started with 40 thinned apples, several varieties, first ones, expecting a modest harvest. Raccoons got all but 2, both Golden Delicious. I ate one last night. Scrubbed the soot off with a vegetable brush. Totally russeted, dirty looking even when cleaned. Cored and sliced, beautiful juicy white flesh, no blemishes on the inside. Mostly sweet, some tart, nice crunch. Sweetness nuanced, not just sugary. This had a distinct cinnamon overtone into the finish, delightful! Clean appley residual, lasted about 10 minutes. Understand, this has been 5 years in the making so I'm sure that I am biased. I'm modifying my cages and have a trapping program in force. My family thinks I'm nuts. Ready for more next year.
  • 10 Jan 2014  CA, United States
    When fresh off the tree, there no better apple. However, I have *never* had a store-bought one that comes anyone close. Most often, they are tragically mushy and bland. A fresh Golden is crisp and very sweet.
  • 07 Dec 2013  CT, United States
    Supermarket goldens do not do justice to the goldens found at a farmers market!!!!!
  • 18 Nov 2013  AL, United States
    I have two of these trees. One has yet to bloom, and the other has bloomed for years, and finally got a little pollen last spring. I got about seven apples from it. They did not look like the ones in the picture, but were more yellow with a hint of green. They were the best apples I'd ever tasted. I thought Gala was my favorite until I tried these from my orchard. I just added another Golden Delicious tree, and I have two Anna's and a Yellow Dorsette that are going in once I get more land cleared. I am very excited about the Golden Delicious.
  • 16 Jul 2013  PERTH AND KINROSS, United Kingdom
    I agree with Tom - the first post on here. Either the clone of Golden Delicious grown commercially or the treatment of the apple - the way it is grown or stored - has changed. In the mid 1970s, in a penny-pinching student hall of residence, we had cheap French Golden Delicious apples with cheap chalky cheese for our packed lunches; and they tasted great! This version of Golden Delicious was not juicy; it was firm rather than crunchy; never mushy or woolly. It had a subdued sweetness with a hint of honey. Anything sweeter would have clashed with the cheese; this complimented it perfectly. This itself was probably not the "real" Golden Delicious - the apple was already "owned" by the supermarkets - but it was a lovely version of it; I would plant it myself if I could find it. Meanwhile, the present-day supermarket offerings are bland, with an empty, watery sweetness and a sense of disintegration in the texture; almost the opposite of the mellowed honied firmness that I remember.
  • 07 Dec 2012  DERBY, United Kingdom
    The ideal apple for supermarkets, consistent in shape, size and colour, but generally tasteless. If growing apples at home choose something with some taste that the shops don't stock.
  • 13 Jan 2011  NW VA, United States
    Look for GDs from the eastern US - the limestone soil makes for great apples. Easy tree to grow and the best are YELLOW with a red blush. There's a reason that this is one parent from most other really good modern apples - it's fantastic and addictive when well grown.
  • 11 Oct 2009  CARDIFF, WALES., United Kingdom
    We inherited a small young apple tree from my mother-in-law in 1990 which was growing in her garden 1.000 ft up in the South Wales Valleys, producing tiny fruits. We dug it up and planted it on our allotment in Cardiff - eventually it started to develop and for many years has produced volumes of apples. I use them for cooking in Sept/Oct when green - needing very little sugar, (I use lemon rind or mix with other fruits like Autumn raspberries, blackberries or cape gooseberries - grown in a greenhouse - to give added flavour). Later towards end October/Nov. when they ripen further and turn from green to yellow they are super juicy (and very sweet) - a very unexpected delight as I would not buy a golden delicious as to me they have little flavour. Until 3 years ago I had no idea the variety of this apple tree until an Italian allotmenteer suggested it was a 'Golden Delicious'. I was surprised as I'd no idea this apple could taste so surprisingly good. I am often picking them off the tree after the leaves have dropped when they are so good for eating. Not a great keeper unless kept in a cool place which is why I leave them on the tree for as long as possible and before the birds eat them all. I keep it fairly hard pruned so as not to grow too high and it never fails to produce lots of fruit. Also on the allotment I grow a fairly large green cooker, similar to Bramley, in addition to a small Sunset apple tree and Charles Ross - both excellent eaters especially the CR which are huge apples except it does not keep long after picking - goes dry and woolly in flavour. We planted one in our small garden 40 years ago supposedly on a small rootstock which produced wonderful apples, good enough for showing at Horticultural Shows until it grew too big and had to be severely cut/pruned - starting to grow a few fruits again.
  • 09 Aug 2009  NORTHERN IRELAND, United Kingdom
    Hi Amy I have tree with two verieties grafted onto it James Grieves and Golden delicious which as you say have never been green or yellow but green with some red .I wondered if it was another variety as it looks more like the James Grieves.
  • 18 Jun 2009  BELLEVILLE, IL, United States
    The apple in the picture is what the Golden Delicious look like here at Shop n Save but not the apple I remember eating as a child. Am I correct in saying that apples do not ripen after they are picked? If so why are these very unripe hard and marginally digestible specimens being called Golden Delicious?
  • 18 Jun 2009  BELLEVILLE, IL, United States
    To:Amy from Cleveland, Oh RE: your red apples Some fruit trees are grafted http://www.midfex.org/m/whygraft.html They have the root stock of one variety and the trunk and branches of another. Your tree may have suffered the loss of the desired graft while retaining the rootstock and continued to grow. I may be wrong though.
  • 07 Jun 2009  CLEVELAND, OH, United States
    Does anyone know if Golden Delicious apples start out looking like a regular red apple and then change at some point? I have some growing on a tree that was tagged as Golden from the nursery but the apples are definately NOT yellow. They are greenish and red.
  • 19 Sep 2008  BONN, Germany
    last month I used GD for my experiment in lab. The rest was not used, and I though I'd just eat it. It was delicious: a bit tart, sweet and crisp. I love it! btw, one should try to buy the apples direct from orchard.
  • 11 Sep 2008  VANCOUVER, Canada
    I'm a little confused as to what this type of golden greeny apple is bred from? Is a green apple supposed to ripe and ready to consume? Or is it supposed to turn yellow? I'm a big fan and consumer of the yellow Golden Delicious.
  • 29 May 2008  United States
    The Golden Delicious is a very popular apple with people where I work and, knowing I'm a bit of an apple enthusiast, are always asking what I think of them. It'd been so long since I had one that I had to go and buy some in order to comment. I wish I hadn't. They were soft, sugary and crumbly. I would love to try one direct from and orchard, however, after reading some of the other comments.
  • 21 May 2008  DONCASTER, United Kingdom
    i think the apples are very healthy for people who are loosing weaght
  • 14 Apr 2008  NORTHAMPTON, United Kingdom
    I find these too soft and crumbly too often.
  • 12 Feb 2008  COLLEGE STATION, TX, U.S., United States
    These are great for eating fresh and for kuchen and other desserts when just ripe (somewhere between green and gold.) When overripe, only Red Delicious is blander.
  • 04 Jan 2008  WASHINGTON STATE, United States
    If you want a good Golden Delicious, find one in the store that is "golden" in color with some russetting of the skin, not the insipid greenish examples normally found. Even better, when the Goldens are actually supposed to be in season, buy them direct from the orchards - at the numerous fruit stands in the Wenatchee area, you can find good Goldens direct since russetted fruit can't go to the packing houses.
  • 18 Oct 2007  CRAWLEY, United Kingdom
    I have never had a decent Golden Delicious!
  • 17 Sep 2007  VIRGINIA, United States
    I grew up on the West coast & always hated golden delicious apples because they were mealy and bland. When I moved to Virginia 8 years ago I re-discovered this apple at the local orchards & it is now my favorite -- crisp, good sweet/tart balance & wonderful flavor. In Browning's book "Apples" he states that the Golden Delicious should never be grown West of the Mississippi -- he is absolutely right!! Try this again from an Eastern orchard and you may change your mind.
  • 03 Aug 2007  United Kingdom
    I've never considered an apple "boring". :Simple, yes, no complex mixture of flavors, but boring? My question is, has Golden Delicious changed over the years? When I was a kid (I'm in my 40s), I could tell GD by looking; they'd have an almost translucent quality to their skin. And they were also perfect for long, long storage. They might get wrinkly, but they just got mellower, kept the good flavor, never got "mealy" or bruised or rotten. Now, what I see bagged as GD don't have any of those qualities!

Tree register

United States

United Kingdom

France

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

South Africa

India

Poland

Iran

Spring blossom records for this variety

2023 season

  • 1st May  2023  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland
  • 1st May  2023  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland
  • 9th April  2023  - tree owned by Ben in Helenwood, United States

2022 season

  • 5th May  2022  - tree owned by James in Glynn, Ireland
  • 26th April  2022  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 20th April  2022  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland
  • 20th April  2022  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland

2021 season

  • 7th May  2021  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom

2020 season

  • 24th April  2020  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 18th April  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2019 season

  • 25th April  2019  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 23rd April  2019  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
  • 18th April  2019  - tree owned by Helen in Liverpool, United Kingdom

2018 season

  • 11th October  2018  - tree owned by Bec in Coleraine, Australia
  • 6th May  2018  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 28th April  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2017 season

  • 25th April  2017  - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
  • 25th April  2017  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 17th April  2017  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 10th April  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • 17th May  2016  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 14th May  2016  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 13th May  2016  - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
  • 12th May  2016  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 7th May  2016  - tree owned by Mike in Dayton, United States
  • 22nd April  2016  - tree owned by Brian in Jackson, United States
  • 30th March  2016  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2015 season

  • May  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 28th April  2015  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • March  2015  - tree owned by Phillip in Sand Springs, United States

2014 season

  • 27th May  2014  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • 25th May  2014  - tree owned by Mike in Westfield, United States
  • 7th May  2014  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 6th May  2014  - tree owned by DC in Poncha Springs, United States
  • 15th April  2014  - tree owned by Stefanie in Oceanside, United States

2013 season

  • July  2013  - tree owned by Janet in Bicester, United Kingdom
  • 22nd May  2013  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 19th May  2013  - tree owned by Mike in Westfield, United States
  • 17th May  2013  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • 12th May  2013  - tree owned by David in Ewerby Thorpe, Sleaford, United Kingdom
  • 10th May  2013  - tree owned by Albany in Castleton, United States
  • May  2013  - tree owned by Steven in Riverside, United States
  • May  2013  - tree owned by Keith in Rye, United States
  • April  2013  - tree owned by Judith in Rowlands Castle, United Kingdom

2012 season

  • 25th May  2012  - tree owned by Robert in Ayr, United Kingdom
  • 12th May  2012  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • 11th May  2012  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 9th May  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States
  • 1st May  2012  - tree owned by DC in Poncha Springs, United States
  • 1st April  2012  - tree owned by Tony in Gloucester, United States
  • 26th March  2012  - tree owned by Ryan in Cumming, United States
  • March  2012  - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom

2011 season

  • 23rd May  2011  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • 7th May  2011  - tree owned by Robert in Ayr, United Kingdom
  • 6th May  2011  - tree owned by Ted in West Mountain, United States
  • May  2011  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • 27th April  2011  - tree owned by David in Wilson, United States
  • 23rd April  2011  - tree owned by Arwadoo in Srinagar, India
  • 22nd April  2011  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 22nd April  2011  - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
  • 10th April  2011  - tree owned by Don in Philo, United States
  • April  2011  - tree owned by Vishal in Shimla, India

2010 season

  • 15th October  2010  - tree owned by Mark in Rangiora, New Zealand
  • 2nd May  2010  - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • 18th April  2010  - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
  • 16th April  2010  - tree owned by Natalie in Chesapeake, United States
  • April  2010  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • 25th March  2010  - tree owned by Arwadoo in Srinagar, India

2009 season

  • May  2009  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • 18th April  2009  - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • March  2009  - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
  • March  2009  - tree owned by Linda in Nuneaton, United Kingdom

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


Harvest records for this variety

2023 season

  • 4th week October  2023  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland

2022 season

  • 2nd week October  2022  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland
  • 2nd week October  2022  - tree owned by James in Westport, Ireland

2021 season

  • 2nd week October  2021  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom

2020 season

  • 4th week October  2020  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom

2019 season

  • 4th week October  2019  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 3rd week October  2019  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2018 season

  • 3rd week October  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
  • 3rd week October  2018  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom

2017 season

  • 2nd week October  2017  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 1st week October  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • October  2016  - tree owned by Elaine in Mold, United Kingdom
  • October  2016  - tree owned by Erika in Mytholmroyd, United Kingdom
  • 2nd week September  2016  - tree owned by Eric in , United States
  • September  2016  - tree owned by Kevin in Big Pool, United States
  • 3rd week March  2016  - tree owned by Patrick in Mt Macedon, Australia

2015 season

  • 4th week October  2015  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 3rd week October  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • September  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States
  • August  2015  - tree owned by Phillip in Sand Springs, United States

2014 season

  • 3rd week October  2014  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 2nd week September  2014  - tree owned by David in Braintree, United Kingdom

2013 season

  • 3rd week October  2013  - tree owned by Craig in Manning, United States
  • 2nd week October  2013  - tree owned by Janet in Bicester, United Kingdom
  • 2nd week October  2013  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • September  2013  - tree owned by Judith in Rowlands Castle, United Kingdom
  • 1st week April  2013  - tree owned by Katrina in Nelson, New Zealand

2012 season

  • 2nd week November  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States
  • 4th week October  2012  - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
  • 2nd week October  2012  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • October  2012  - tree owned by Colleen in Occidental, United States
  • 1st week September  2012  - tree owned by DC in Poncha Springs, United States

2011 season

  • 4th week October  2011  - tree owned by Arthur in Klamath Falls, United States
  • 2nd week October  2011  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
  • 2nd week October  2011  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • 4th week September  2011  - tree owned by Brentley in Bend, United States
  • 3rd week September  2011  - tree owned by Don in Philo, United States
  • 1st week September  2011  - tree owned by Randy in Baxley, United States
  • August  2011  - tree owned by Vishal in Shimla, India

2010 season

  • 1st week October  2010  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • August  2010  - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom

2009 season

  • 3rd week October  2009  - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
  • 1st week October  2009  - tree owned by Leslie in Kelowna, Canada
  • October  2009  - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • September  2009  - tree owned by Linda in Nuneaton, United Kingdom

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
  • Parentage: Grimes Golden ???
  • Originates from: West Virginia, United States
  • Introduced: 1890s
  • Developed by: Anderson Mullins
  • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1969-019

Identification

  • Country of origin: United States
  • Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colour: Green
  • Fruit colour: Green - light
  • Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
  • Flower colour: White
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Popularity: Best sellers
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous
  • Awards: RHS AGM (former) 1993
  • Alleles: 2
  • Alleles: 3

Using

  • Picking season: Late
  • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
  • Flavour quality: Good
  • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
  • Cooking result: Keeps shape
  • Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
  • Vitamin C content: Low
  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
  • Food uses: Eating fresh
  • Food uses: Culinary
  • Picking period: early October
  • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Average
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Pollinating others: Good
  • Ploidy: Diploid
  • Vigour: Average vigour
  • Bearing regularity: Regular
  • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
  • Attractive features: Attractive flowers
  • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile

Climate

  • Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Chill requirement: Low-chill 700
  • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
  • Climate suitability: Warm climates
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)

Other qualities

  • Canker: Some susceptibility
  • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
  • Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
  • Fire blight: Some susceptibility
  • Cedar apple rust: Very susceptible

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Golden Delicious apple trees for sale:


Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Golden Delicious:

United States


United Kingdom


France


Canada


Australia


India




References

  • Cedar-Apple Rust  
    Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
    Rated as highly susceptible - control always needed where CAR is prevalent.
  • Apples for the 21st Century
    Author: Manhart
  • Apples of England (1948)
    Author: Taylor
  • Fruit Expert
    Author: Hessayon

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