Topaz

created by An at 07.04.2023

Features

Color

yellow

red

Resistances

Apple scab resistant

Location

permeable soil

Growth habit

sprawling

upright

Taste

finely acidic

Season Overview

Sowing

Harvest

1ST YEAR

FOLLOWING YEARS

Description

Flower light pink from April to May. Fruit medium sized; dark red mottled and striped cover color. Aromatic, delicately tart, balanced sweet-sour taste. High yield; tends to alternate. Good storage life; can be stored until March. Ready to eat from the end of November. Medium vigorous growth; upright to spreading. Not suitable for harsh, cold and damp locations. Slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, medium to highly susceptible to fruit tree spider mite, aphid and leaf spot. The apple variety 'Topaz' originated from a deliberate crossing of the varieties 'Rubin' and 'Vanda' at the Institute of Experimental Botany in Prague (Czech Republic). The cross was found to be valuable at the institute in 1994 and was officially protected as a variety in the EU in 1998. This means that the 'Topaz' variety is not considered a public good and may not be propagated further for commercial reasons without a corresponding fee being paid. The Topaz apple tree, which tends to flower very abundantly, starts flowering early to medium early. This means that 'Rewena', 'James Grieve', 'Retina', 'Boskoop', 'Prinz Albrecht' and the 'Weiße Klarapfel' can be considered as pollinator varieties. Due to its early flowering, however, the Topaz apple tree is susceptible to blossom frost in the event of late frosts in spring. Wood frost can also be a problem for this variety, which is why rough, cold and damp locations are not suitable for this apple. The winter cold is intensified on wet and heavy soils that warm up only slowly - a permeable, humus-rich and lighter soil is therefore more suitable for the Topaz apple tree. Pre-harvest fruit drop hardly ever occurs with this apple tree. The harvest time for the Topaz apple is between the end of October and the beginning of November - it is now ripe for picking and is in its best storage condition. They are ready to eat on the tree from the end of November, but ripen more slowly in cool storage: cooled to just above 0 °C, Topaz apples will therefore keep until March. As the fruit ripens, it becomes softer and the skin greasier. Due to its excellent taste, the Topaz apple is ideal for direct consumption. However, it can also be processed and preserved in any form, especially as the harvest is usually very plentiful.

Non hybrid

Frostproof

Growing tips

The apple tree of the 'Topaz' variety grows medium-strong and upright to broad. The ends of the shoots often branch out in clusters, which means that the crown quickly becomes very dense and should be thinned out regularly. --- Apple blossoms only tolerate frost down to -1°C, so the location of the apple tree should not be susceptible to late frost. Apple trees like deep, humus-rich soil that is not too cold or wet. Diseases then develop more easily. In terms of varieties, there are some differences as to which conditions are best. A second apple tree can be helpful for pollination, as apple trees do not pollinate themselves. To plant a root-free apple tree, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and do not plant the apple tree deeper in the soil than before. Compost fertilization is recommended when planting. Shake the tree a little to distribute the soil between the roots. After filling up, press the soil down firmly and water well. In addition, shorten the top and side shoots by no more than half and tie the tree to a stake. Apple trees should be well fertilized once in March and supplemented with infusions in summer. If the apple tree has a very large crop of fruit in one year, it should be thinned out a little, otherwise it will only bear sparsely the following year. The crown of the apple tree should remain light, so prune inward-growing shoots in winter. To shorten overhanging branches with too many fruits, you should choose August. Nesting aids and food plants for insects can help to ensure a richer harvest. Apples can be harvested as soon as they have reached their typical color and come off the tree easily. Stored varieties should be harvested a little earlier. Liming for the winter can provide frost protection and protect against pests. The large, black seeds found in the fruit are suitable for propagation. The fruits are available in specialist fruit stores and sometimes also in supermarkets. Use sandy, lean soil and bury the seeds at a depth of approx. 2 cm. Germination takes place at 20-25°C, usually within 3 weeks. However, it can also take up to six months for them to germinate. Pests include the codling moth and the apple web moth. Diseases also include apple scab. Collect fallen leaves in the fall and dispose of them in the organic waste garbage can.