Apple, Northern Spy
Malus pumila 'Northern Spy'
3/8-7/8 inch stem diameter at sale, bare root
Sourced from NY
Tart. good in storage. Red and Pink. Late bloom.
Description
Other Names: Spy. King. Malus pumila
Native to: The seed of the Northern Spy was planted in 1800 by Herman Chapin of East Bloomfield NY in 1800. Suckers of the tree were given to a relative, Roswell Humphrey and by about 1830 the cultivar was in production. The first publication related to this cultivar exists in an 1844 Magazine of Horticulture article. The apple is known for being cold hardy, good in storage and having a tart flavor.
Flower Color: White
Bloom Season: Late (Late April into May)
Pollination: Requires another variety for cross-pollination. Acceptable cultivars include: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ginger Gold and Starrimson.
Fruit Color: Red or pink with streaks of yellow and green
Fruit Size: Medium
Type: Dessert- Use for baking, fresh eating, sauces, juices
Harvest in: About 4 years
Harvest Window: October
Mature yield: 1-4 bushels (dwarf) 5-10 bushels (semi-dwarf) 10-20 bushels (standard)
Mature height: 8-15’
Mature width: 8-15’
Growth Rate: up to 2’ per year
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: 1 gallon per week or 1 inch rainfall per week
Fertilizer:
- Years 1-4: Do not apply fertilizer until you see fruit. If growth rate is less than 6” per year, apply fertilizer the following spring.
- Fruit set onward: Follow Label.
- Fertilizer: 10-10-10 applied once in spring before flowering, once in May after flowering, and once more a month later in June. Do not apply in or after July. Follow fertilizer directions, do not apply more than annual rate in any year. You can divide your annual rate into thirds for three applications.
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Disease: Susceptible to fire light
Pruning: Late Winter
Notes: Apple Trees are grafted on separate rootstock at the Nursery. Root stock may either be EMLA 7 or EMLA 111. EMLA 7 is more resistant to fire blight and cold weather and produces a dwarf sized tree. EMLA 111 is a commonly used vigorous rootstock that produces a semi-dwarf tree.
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