Grimes Golden apple tree

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• Picking season: Late
• Self-fertility: Self-fertile
• Pollination group: 3

A high quality apple, Grimes Golden is probably the parent of Golden Delicious, but with a richer flavor.

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Grimes Golden apple trees for sale

• 1Small 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  G.11 rootstock
  

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• 2Medium 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

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Grimes Golden is of historical interest as the probable parent of Golden Delicious, and is usually considered to have a richer flavor than its offspring. Spicy sweetness is perhaps the best way to describe it.

It is green/yellow in color, changing to yellow in storage. The apples store well and have a high sugar content.

How to grow

Grimes Golden has a narrower climate range than Golden Delicious, being traditionally an apple for the central and eastern states, zones 5 and 6, and not especially winter hardy. Grimes Golden is generally productive but not necessarily a regular bearer, which was one of the main reasons it was replaced by Golden Delicious as a commercial apple - however the home grower is likely to put up with Grimes Golden's uncertain productivity as a trade-off for its richer flavor.

In a good spring the fruitlets may require thinning. Fruit size is generally larger in the higher zones.

It is self-fertile and (like Golden Delicious) a good pollinator for other apple varieties.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

West Virginia, early 19th century.

Grimes Golden characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
• Pollination group3
• Pollinating othersGood
• PloidyDiploid
• Bearing regularityRegular
• Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
• WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
• Picking seasonLate
• UsesEating freshCulinaryJuice
• CroppingGood
• Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
• Flavor style (apples)Sweeter
• General resistanceAverage
• FireblightSome resistance
• ScabSome susceptibility
• Cedar apple rustSome resistance
• MildewSome resistance
• Cold hardiness (USDA)(5) -20F / -29C
• Summer maximum temperaturesWarm (25-30C / 76-85F)
• Country of originUnited States
• Period of origin1800 - 1849
• Fruit colorGreenGreen / Yellow