Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees

• Check pollinators >

• Picking season: Early
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 2

An old culinary variety from Russia, popular in North America, and noted for its winter hardiness.

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Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees for sale

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• Dwarf, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
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All about Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees

Duchess of Oldenburg is a popular early-season apple, primarily used as a cooking apple although it can be eaten fresh when fully ripe. It is often known simply as "Duchess".

The apples should be ripe in early / mid August.

The key to its success in the kitchen is its tart acidic flavor which holds up well in cooking. Slices usually lose their shape during cooking, making Duchess of Oldenburg best suited for recipes that require apple sauce.

How to grow

Duchess of Oldenburg is a reliable variety, easy to grow, and produces apples from a young age. It is very winter-hardy and a great choice for the northern states. Disease-resistance is also excellent - except for fireblight, to which it is susceptible.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Duchess of Oldenburg originated in Russia in the early 18th century. It was introduced to the USA in the early 19th century, and quickly became popular in the northern states on account of its excellent winter hardiness.

Duchess of Oldenburg has been a mainstay of the University of Minnesota's cold-hardy apple breeding program, and features in the ancestry of many of the university's modern varieties - including Honeycrisp.

Duchess of Oldenburg characteristics

• What level of gardening skill is needed to grow Duchess of Oldenburg?Beginner
• Is Duchess of Oldenburg self-fertile?Not self-fertile
• What flowering group is Duchess of Oldenburg?2
• Is Duchess of Oldenburg good for pollinating others?Average
• What season do you pick Duchess of Oldenburg?Early
• UsesCulinaryTraditional cooker
• How long can you keep Duchess of Oldenburg in a fridge?1 week
• What is the overall disease resistance of Duchess of Oldenburg?Good
• How resistant is Duchess of Oldenburg to fire blight?Some susceptibility
• Is Duchess of Oldenburg resistant to scab?Some resistance
• Is Duchess of Oldenburg resistant to cedar apple rust?Some resistance
• Is Duchess of Oldenburg resistant to powdery mildew?Some resistance
• What is the USDA hardiness zone for Duchess of Oldenburg?Zone 3 (-40C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Where does Duchess of Oldenburg originate from?Russia
• When was Duchess of Oldenburg first introduced?1750 - 1799

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