Apple tree (Malus domestica) CIEPA

Columnar Apple (Malus domestica) 'Ciepa'

A frost-hardy elite variety with attractive summer fruits.

'Ciepa' (breeding code D-7-94-10) is a new, elite Latvian columnar apple variety that represents the pinnacle of breeding efforts and is intended for discerning gardeners. It is prized for its high frost hardiness, beautiful fruits, and very good disease resistance. The fruits are large, an attractive greenish-yellow color with bright red stripes. The flesh is juicy, aromatic, sweet-tart, and achieves its best flavor when fully ripened on the tree. Thanks to its columnar growth, it is an ideal choice for small gardens and colder regions.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Elite variety: A collector's rarity that surpasses common varieties.
• Very good frost hardiness and disease resistance: A reliable choice for any garden.
• Columnar growth: Ideal for small gardens, patios, or for growing in rows.
• Attractive and large fruits: Similar in appearance to the popular 'Auksis' variety.
• Refreshing taste: The fruits are juicy, aromatic, with a light wine-like flavor.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia, Pūre
• Status: Elite variety (a finalist from a breeding program, not yet officially registered)

Variety Characteristics

Tree

Growth is strong and exclusively columnar. Branching is medium; the branches are firm and flexible. It comes into bearing early and yields very well, with minor fluctuations. It is cross-pollinated.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large to medium-large, with an average weight of around 130 g.
• Shape: Round to slightly oblong.
• Appearance: Attractive, with a greenish-yellow to almost white base color and bright red, uniform stripes.
• Flesh: White to snow-white, medium-firm, soft, and juicy.
• Taste: Sweet-tart, aromatic, with a light wine-like flavor. The best taste is achieved in fruits fully ripened on the tree.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: The variety has very good frost hardiness; the flowers have medium resistance.
• Scab: Very good resistance.
• Powdery Mildew: Low susceptibility.

Growing Recommendations

• Suitability: Recommended for home gardens, especially in colder regions.
• Rootstock: It is recommended to grow it on medium-vigor rootstocks (e.g., MM106, B.118).
• Harvesting: For the best flavor, it is crucial to let the fruits ripen on the tree for as long as possible, but do not delay harvesting too long as they tend to drop.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-August, ripens progressively.
• Storability: Good, lasts for 1–2 months.

Note: An elite variety is the "champion" of a breeding program. It is the final product selected as the best out of thousands of tested plants for its unique combination of characteristics.