Apple Malus domestica Rubinstar 24cm

’Rubinstar’ apples are a lovely, rich maroon colour, occasionally splashed of with yellow, and being related to ‘Jonagold’ they are big and fabulously juicy with a deliciously sweet flavour and a crisp crunch. A versatile apple, they are gorgeously tasty picked straight from the tree and also ideal for cooking, making tasty desserts.

‘Rubinstar’ is a mutation of ‘Jonagold’ and is a ‘triploid’ variety, meaning that it has three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. Tiploid varieties are sterile, so they can’t pollinate themselves or other apple trees. They need other trees nearby to pollinate them, not an issue if you grow more than one apple in your garden, or if a nearby neighbour does!

Supplied as an established tree, 150 cm (5 ft) tall grown on an M9 dwarfing rootstock in a 24 cm pot, growing to a height and spread of 2.5 m (8 ft).

Care

Apply a slow-release fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone, in early spring, and mulch to retain moisture.

Water regularly, and don't let the soil dry out if planted in pots.

Established trees don't require radical pruning - just take off any diseased, dying and damaged branches in late winter. Look at the overall shape and aim for an open structure of branches and remove any that cross over so they don't damage each other.

Contents

• 1 x Tree