Kidd's Orange Red is one of the select band of apple varieties which can truly be said to rival the definitive Cox's Orange Pippin for flavor. It is primarily a sweet apple, but unlike most sweet apples it has a rich complexity to the flavors too. Kidd's Orange Red is fairly crisp but also pleasantly chewy, and each bite seems to release yet more juice and flavor. It's in some ways reminiscent of a good French dessert wine - sweet, but with a good kick to it.
Although regarded as a typical 'English' apple, Kidd's Orange Red was developed by New Zealand apple enthusiast J.H. Kidd in the 1920s and is a cross between the English Cox and the American Delicious, so in reality it is a marriage of the Old World and the New World. There is no doubting this is a Cox-style apple though ... but when you know the parentage, it isn't hard to spot the sweet scented contribution from Delicious in the background, and it is a combination that really works.
The tree grows attractively, and the crimson pink blossom is a particular feature. Although primarily an apple for eating fresh, Kidd's Orange Red also produces a very pleasant sweet apple juice.
Delivery discounts. Prices are for individual trees excluding delivery. There is no minimum quantity but it is cost effective to order in multiples of 3 trees.
Delivery period: Trees are delivered in March and April. However it is best to order as soon as you can to ensure items are reserved for you. If you live in a warm zone (e.g. Southern California, Alabama etc.) Fall delivery is possible. More details on our spring shipping schedule by state.
*Mature heights: Height shown is the approximate height of the tree when mature (after 5-10 years), not the height when supplied. Actual mature heights may vary considerably dependent on your local conditions and training and pruning regime.
Stock availability: Items showing as 'sold out' will probably be available again next season. If you would like to reserve in advance use our enquiry form - this does not commit you to anything.
Kidd's Orange Red is self-sterile and needs to be pollinated by another tree of a different variety nearby. Since it flowers in the middle of the blossom season it can be pollinated by most other apple trees.
Our online pollination checker lists suitable pollination partners for this variety.
More advice about pollination.
It often seems that apples with the best flavor are the most difficult to grow, but this is not the case with Kidd's Orange Red. It is very easy to grow, generally problem-free, and makes an excellent garden variety for most regions, including cool temperate climates and warmer climates. It forms an attractive-looking tree with long branches which grow vertically when the tree is young but then bend over with fruit as the tree comes into bearing. (If necessary, tie the young branches towards the horizontal to improve the appearance - this will also help cropping). Certainly worth considering as a feature apple tree.
The only caveats are that the fruit ripens late in the season, and may not always ripen in a poor temperate summer, and it is not a heavy-cropper (although it does produce a good crop). Fruit size can be on the small size so moderate thinning can be helpful as the fruitlets start to form.
Kidd's Orange Red has a much wider climate range than Cox's Orange Pippin and can tolerate hotter summers without losing flavor, making it one one of the best alternatives for enthusiasts who find their climate is too hot for Cox.
Planting instructions.
Pruning instructions.
Kidd's Orange Red was developed in the 1920s by New Zealand apple enthusiast J.H. Kidd. It is a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Delicious.
