History: Melba was developed by W.T. Macoun at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa in 1898. In 1924 it was released commercially and three years later received the Silver Wilder Medal from the American Pomological Society.
Why We Grow It: Melba is a lovely early market apple or backyard tree for making applesauce! The fruit is yellow with crimson flush and the crisp, white skin has a very sweet flavour.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
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: Moderately vigorous and very hardy but precocious, bears fruit at a younger age, tends to fruit every other year but has good crops when it does. Susceptible to canker but resistant to scab and cedar rust.
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, flowers tolerant of late spring frosts
Ripens: Mid-late August
Storage: Keeps less than a month when stored in cool, humid conditions
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking
Size including roots:
- 1 year grade 100-200 cm whip
- 2 year grade 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- B grade less than 100 cm
- Potted: 100cm+ with branches in a 5 gallon pot
NOTE: Potted plants are not available for shipping!