History: Wealthy apples were created by horticulturalist Peter Gideon after spending years trying to breed an apple variety that could survive Minnesota's harsh winters. With the very last of his money, he purchased seeds and scions in one last attempt and was able to produce the Wealthy apple which he named after his wife, Wealthy Gideon. He gave scions away freely and Wealthy became one of the top five apples grown in the US.
Why We Grow It: An early apple, Wealthy makes splendid applesauce, but is also good for fresh eating. The tree is scab resistant and cold hardy, makes an excellent pollinator for other apples, and is well-suited for organic orchards.
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: Weak vigour and precocious, very hardy, spreading growth pattern, tends to bear fruit every other year but has good crops when it does. Susceptible to mildew and fireblight 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
Ripens: Early September
Storage: Keeps until December when stored in cool, humid conditions
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking, applesauce
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