Description
A very old, very large and colorful apple of German origin. Bietigheimer was first described in Europe in 1598, where it was known as Roter Stettiner. It was brought into this country in the 1880’s. Because of its large size and coarse tough flesh, it is considered a cooking apple. Roundish to slightly conical in shape, with pale yellow skin overlaid with dark and light red striping. This apple won awards at early Montezuma County fairs.
Choose rootstock type depending on availability:
Malus domestica Standard sized seedling rootstock. This is what trees were historically grafted on. These will be large trees that will grow for a century or more due to their cold hardiness and drought tolerance. Plant 25 feet or more apart.
M111 Semi Dwarf rootstock. 3/4 size of standard. A good compromise if you want a slightly smaller tree. Plant 15 feet or more apart.
M7 Semi Dwarf, Smaller than M111. Probably not as long lived, but produces sooner. Longer lived than M26. Plant 12 feet or more apart.
M26 Dwarf, Short lived (a few decades), fast producing, needs staked, not drought tolerant or as cold hardy, plant as close to 1-2 feet apart.
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