History: Porter's Perfection originated in Somerset in the UK some time in the 1800s. It became extremely popular in England although its popularity began to wane following the 1910s. It is still grown today but not as commonly as it once was. It shows promising results in the North American climate, unlike some other European cider cultivars.
Why We Grow It: This English cider apple produces a medium bittersharp cider. It has done well in different studies in Ontario with the Vineland Research Station with regards to juice composition, disease resistance and overall performance. The tree is a heavy cropper and grows vigorously.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 3
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam.Prefers average to moist conditions, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. Generally quite adaptable to different soil conditions.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Vigorous, tends to have heavy crops every other year, tends to produce fused fruits, spur bearing. Resistant to scab and brown rot. Produces nice clean fruit in our test orchard.
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination:Requires a pollinator of a different apple variety that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Middle
Ripens: Late October
Storage: Does not store well
Recommended Use: Cider
Cider Properties:*
Class: Bittersharp
Sugar: High, SG 1.060
Acidity: Very high, TA 15 g/L
Tannins: Medium, 3 g/L
Juice Yield: Medium, 253 m/L
Taste: Low astringency
Recommendations: Can be made into a single-variety cider but it is best in blends
*Information based on Claude Jolicouer's The New Cidermaker's Handbook and Washington State University's "Cultivar Performance Gallery"
Size including roots:
100-200 cm whip, 1 year grade
100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more, 2 year grade
