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Jonathan apple trees

Malus domestica
Jonathan
Jonathan is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Jonathan is a classic 19th century American apple variety, noted for its high quality flavor. It rewards being eaten fresh between October and Christmas, but is a good keeper and a good variety for the kitchen.

Jonathan apples were exported to Victorian England and the English pomologist Robert Hogg rated it as "a very fine dessert apple".

Bio / Organic fruit trees

Jonathan organic apple trees - graft to order

  • 1Maidentree on M9 rootstock 24.95€
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Custom graft
  • 2Maidentree on M116 rootstock 24.95€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Custom graft
  • 3Maidentree on MM111 rootstock 24.95€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Custom graft
  • 4Maidentree on Bittenfelder rootstock 24.95€
    Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Custom graft
Delivery countries
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Growing and Training

Jonathan is often considered to be fully self-fertile, but in practice cropping is greatly improved if there is another different variety nearby to pollinate it.

The main challenge with growing Jonathan is its poor disease resistance. Don't let the extensive list of disease susceptibility put you off, in reality the situation is not quite as bad as it looks, and it is worth a bit of effort to get such excellent flavor. However it is perhaps not a good idea to rely on Jonathan as your only apple tree!


History

According to the Victorian pomologist Robert Hogg, it was found on the farm of Philip Rick of Kingston New York, in the early 19th century. It is thought to be related to Esopus Spitzenburg. However as with many old varieties there are many stories surrounding its origins. Visually and in terms of the quality of flavor, the relation with Spitzenburg seems likely.

Jonathan's excellent flavor and good keeping qualities have led to it being used in many breeding programs.


Jonathan characteristics

  • Gardening skillExperienced
  • Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates
  • Picking periodearly October
  • Picking seasonLate
  • Season of use3 months or more
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Food usesEating freshCulinary
  • Disease resistancePoor
  • ScabVery susceptible
  • CankerSome susceptibility
  • MildewSome susceptibility
  • Fire blightVery susceptible
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1800 - 1849
  • Fruit colourOrange / Red