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Description
Malus Domestica Red Delicious is a cultivar of apple tree that originated in the United States in the 1800s. It is known for its bright red skin and mildly sweet flavor. This apple is widely grown in the United States and is a popular choice for snacking, baking, and making cider. The tree is deciduous and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Malus |
Appearance
The Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple is medium to large in size and has a deep red skin with occasional yellow or green patches. The flesh is cream-colored and juicy, and the flavor is mildly sweet with a hint of tartness. The tree itself has a spreading, upright growth habit with dark green foliage in the summer and showy white or pink flowers in the spring.
Care Guide
To care for a Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree, it is important to provide it with adequate water, fertilization, and sunlight. The tree prefers well-draining soil and should be planted in an area that receives full sun. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. Regular fertilization is recommended, and the tree should be watered deeply once a week during periods of drought.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including apple scab, powdery mildew, and codling moth. Regular inspection and treatment with appropriate pesticides or fungicides can help prevent these issues.
Habitat
The Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree is widely grown in the United States and can be found in orchards and home gardens across the country. It prefers a temperate climate and is well-suited for regions with cold winters and moderate summers.
Question and Answer
Q: Can I grow a Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree in a container?
A: While it is possible to grow this variety of apple tree in a container, it may not produce as much fruit as a tree planted in the ground.
Q: How often should I prune my Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree?
A: Pruning should be done annually, ideally in late winter or early spring before the tree begins to bud.
Q: How long does it take for a Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree to produce fruit?
A: It typically takes 2-5 years for a newly planted tree to produce fruit.
Q: Can I grow a Malus Domestica Red Delicious apple tree from seed?
A: While it is possible to grow this variety from seed, the resulting tree may not be true to type and may not produce fruit that is identical to the parent tree.
Related Plants
- Malus Domestica Granny Smith
- Malus Domestica Golden Delicious
- Malus Domestica Honeycrisp
- Malus Domestica Jonathan
References
- “Malus Domestica Red Delicious.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a904
- “Red Delicious.” Orange Pippin Fruit Trees. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.orangepippintrees.com/apple-trees/red-delicious
- “Apple Tree Care: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Apple Trees.” The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.almanac.com/plant/apples
