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Sansa apple

Sansa

Sansa was developed in the 1970s by the Morioka Research Station in Japan, in collaboration with researchers in New Zealand, as a straightforward cross between Akane and Gala varieties.

Sansa appears to have good disease resistance, although it was not developed specifically for this purpose.  The disease resistance is likely to come from the Akane parentage, since Akane is itself naturally disease resistant whereas Gala is susceptible to several common apple diseases.

In terms of flavor, Sansa is essentially an early-ripening Gala.  It inherits Gala's inherent sweetness, but with more acidity - as might be expected given its earlier ripening season.

Sansa apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Sansa

USDA identification images for Sansa

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

    • 24 Aug 2019  MA, United States
      Bought my first bag of these today at Big Apple Orchard in Wrentham, MA. I guess never go looking for local apples this early in season, but this was a great choice. Sweet and juicy in hand. Will buy again.
    • 07 Oct 2018  WISCONSIN, United States
      I tried this variety. It was late in the season and because of that was getting grainy. The taste was so good however that the texture didn’t matter. To add to the description above — this apple (at least locally) is slightly russetted.
    • 09 Sep 2015  NY, United States
      Just picked some of these at a local u-pick farm that has only a few rows of these trees available. They were small in size, maybe due to the early age of the trees or lack of rain in the past few weeks, but the apples were really pleasantly sweet with a good chewing consistency. We're so lucky to have such a large variety of apples to pick from.
    • 16 Sep 2014  PALM BEACH COUNTY, United States
      Just had Sansa for the first time. ORGANIC from The Boys Market in Delray Beach, Fla. $1.99 lb. I can't grow 'em. I do grow papaya,mango, pineapple,carambola, passion fruit, key lime, all organic. sweet corn and guava,next. I am going back now to buy more sansa. I always have pie in mind. Be well and be happy
    • 27 Aug 2013  NY, United States
      A new variety at my local orchard so I gave it a try. Its a very nice, sweet, crisp apple. It is definitely my favorite of the early apple varieties.
    • 18 Aug 2013  NY, United States
      Purchased some sansa apples at the farmer's market in Union Square (Manhattan) to try for the first time. I think this variety is my new favorite! Thinking of going upstate to pick some this September.

    Tree register

    United States

    Japan

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2021 season

    • 6th May  2021  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2019 season

    • 9th May  2019  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2018 season

    • 15th May  2018  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2017 season

    • 3rd May  2017  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2016 season

    • 9th May  2016  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2015 season

    • 11th May  2015  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2014 season

    • 16th May  2014  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2021 season

    • 2nd week September  2021  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2020 season

    • 2nd week September  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Warwick, United States

    2019 season

    • 2nd week September  2019  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2017 season

    • 2nd week September  2017  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2015 season

    • 1st week September  2015  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

    2014 season

    • 2nd week August  2014  - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States

    2011 season

    • 4th week August  2011  - tree owned by John in New Market, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Gala x Akane
    • Originates from: Japan
    • Introduced: 1988
    • Developed by: Morioka Research Station

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Japan
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Fruit colour: Red
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Early
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Discoloration of fruit: No discoloration (Good for drying)
    • Cropping: Heavy
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: early September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Weak growing
    • Precocity: Precocious
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
    • 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)

    Other qualities

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

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Sansa apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Sansa:

    United States


    Canada




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