Apple Tree Antonówka Zwykła - Malus domestica

The 'Antonówka Zwykła' apple tree is a very old Russian variety, hardy and easy to grow. It is particularly resistant to scab and powdery mildew, producing medium-sized fruits, initially greenish then turning yellow as they ripen. The flesh is juicy and crisp, very aromatic, but also very acidic, which explains why it is used more in cooking than as a dessert apple. Growing at a slow to moderate pace, the tree requires the presence of another pollinating tree to bear fruit. This variety is quite strongly biennially bearing, meaning that the harvest fluctuates from one year to the next.

The Apple Tree is a member of the large Rosaceae family, which includes most fruit genera (trees and small fruits, like Raspberry Plants...), numerous wild species from the forests and countryside, as well as a variety of ornamental plants, herbaceous, woody, and of course Roses. The Malus genus itself comprises around forty species, including the Common Apple Tree, or Malus domestica (also known as Malus communis or Malus pumila). Cultivated since antiquity (the Romans knew 29 different varieties), this tree now exists in approximately 20,000 varieties!
The Apple Tree 'Antonówka Zwykła' originates from the cold regions of Russia where its origins have been lost over the centuries. It will therefore mainly appeal to enthusiasts of ancient varieties, presenting a number of advantages, but also disadvantages that modern selections, which have undergone genetic improvements, no longer have. Growing at a slow to moderate pace, it forms a small tree of approximately 4 m in height, with a loose, spreading, slightly flattened crown. The trunk can sometimes grow slightly twisted, which, combined with the spherical crown, gives a rustic and original silhouette to the plant. This Apple Tree starts bearing fruit late, usually between 5 to 7 years after planting, so patience is required. The branches are adorned with large ovate leaves, dark green with finely toothed edges. Flowering occurs quite late around late April or in May depending on the climate, producing the typical, charming, small pinkish-white flowers of the species. They are therefore less exposed to the risk of frost, which is advantageous in areas with frequent spring frosts. As the variety is self-sterile, another tree should be planted nearby for pollination to ensure a harvest. Fortunately, many varieties can serve this purpose, such as Akane, Alkmene, Kalwila Biała, Cortland, Charłamówka, Elstar, Empire, Fiesta, Fuji, Glogierówka, Gloster, Grafsztynek Czerwony, Granny Smith, Papierówka, James Grieve, Jonathan, Lobo, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Wealthy... so you will have plenty of choices to pick a companion for it! The fruits are generally medium-sized, even small, and abundant in some years, significantly less numerous in others. This variety is quite strongly biennially bearing, meaning that a year of high production is followed by a much quieter year as the plant needs to recover from the effort exerted.
The fruits show some variability in their morphology, some are perfectly spherical, others slightly elongated, and some rather flattened. Light green at first, they turn yellow as they ripen, sometimes even covered with a light pinkish-orange veil. The smooth and shiny skin protects a crunchy and juicy, aromatic flesh (some find it has a distinct candy-like smell) that is quite acidic. For this reason, the fruit is rarely eaten fresh but rather used in pies, as accompaniments to dishes, or processed into preserves or juice. Unable to be stored for long periods, it should be used promptly after the harvest, which begins in early September and extends into October.

Very hardy and easy to grow, with low susceptibility to diseases except for fire blight, 'Antonówka Zwykła' certainly does not possess the qualities of modern hybrids and is therefore not the first choice for planting in a garden, but it will suit enthusiasts with an orchard focused on old cultivars. The Plum Tree 'Bleue de Belgique' can accompany it, with its juicy and very fruity flesh, a delight in Belgium since the mid-19th century. The Pear Tree is an essential member of any respectable orchard, and don't forget the soft fruits, Blackcurrants, Raspberries, and Redcurrant Bushes that allow for a variety of tastes...