Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: GINGER GOLD® apple

Family: Rosaceae (Rose)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)

Life form: Tree

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: To maximize fruit production, apple trees should not be planted in low areas where cold air accumulates. They may be planted in protected areas, such as near buildings or within enclosed walls. Planting on a north or east slope or on the north side of a building can delay flowering and minimize exposure to late freeze; however, fruiting requires full sun during the growing season. Bare root or dormant trees should be planted in winter in compost-amended soil with the graft union 2- 5 inches above soil level. Staking can provide stability, but should not interfere with a young tree’s natural capacity to resist wind. New Mexico soils tend to be low in nitrogen, and apple trees should be fertilized in early spring. During the first year, water often enough to keep the soil moist, but avoid over-watering and soggy soil. After the first year, water less frequently but increase the volume. Wrapping or painting the trunks with diluted white latex exterior paint or kaolin clay reduces winter sunscald. Minimal pruning should be done to young apple trees, but mature fruiting trees should be pruned annually. Thinning excess fruit ensures larger fruit and prevents a heavy crop from breaking limbs.

Description: The GINGER GOLD® tree in our garden is grafted onto EMLA 111 and usually will reach about 2/3 size of a standard tree. Because apple trees flower later than most fruit species, they are less susceptible to erratic winter weather and to late spring frost injury, and may produce fruit every year. GINGER GOLD® produces whitish-pink blossoms in mid-April. It is not self-fertile and GINGER GOLD a pollinator that blooms at a similar time, such as Starkrimson® Red Delicious or SunCrisp®, is needed. This early ripening golden delicious cultivar bears variable-sized fruit in mid- to late summer. The fruit is somewhat conical in shape, and may be lop-sided or irregularly shaped. Fruits are pale green at first, but ripen to yellow, and may have a pink blush or be covered with a light white bloom. The cream-colored flesh is more resistant to browning when exposed to air than many varieties. It has a crisp and mild flavor, with a tart finish, and is good for eating raw or baking.