Lyla Lindsey
Apples are one of the world's most popular fruits and are grown in a wide range of countries with varying climates. They were first introduced to Australia by European and Chinese settlers in the 1890s and have since become a firm favourite with Australian consumers. This introduction has allowed for the development and selection of better-quality varieties, mainly from the USA. In this article, we will explore the process of growing apples in Australia, the different varieties available, and the challenges faced by apple growers in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Apple Varieties | High Chill (cold) and Low Chill (all) |
| Pest and Diseases | Powdery mildew, wooly aphids, codling moth, black spot, Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly, fruit spotting bug, white peach scale, and oriental fruit moth |
| Fertilizer | No fertilizer is necessary for the first few months or until trees start to put on new growth |
| Soil | Well-drained, fertile, and with a pH of at least 4.5 |
| Climate | Cool climates, with at least 5-6 hours of sunshine a day |
| Planting Time | Winter, when trees are sold bare-rooted and dormant |
| Watering | Fruit trees do best with a steady supply of water, especially during summer |
| Major Apple-Growing Areas | Stanthorpe (Queensland), Orange and Batlow (NSW), the Goulburn Valley, Yarra Valley, and southern Victoria (Victoria), Huon Valley and Tamar Valley (Tasmania), Adelaide Hills (SA), and the Perth Hills, Donnybrook, and Manjimup (WA) |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's climate for apple cultivation
Apples can be grown in Australia, with the country's climate supporting both 'High Chill' (cold) and 'Low Chill' (all) apple varieties. The Lenswood Valley, for example, is characterised by good clay/loam soils and a rainfall of around 1000 mm annually. The area has a climate moderated by an altitude of around 500 m and south-westerly weather patterns.
Apple trees thrive in a sunny spot that gets at least five to six hours of sunshine a day. Well-drained and fertile soil is also essential, with a neutral pH of 6.6 to 7.3. In hot climates, half a day of morning sun can help reduce heat stress.
Apples require a significant amount of winter chilling to produce good fruit and prefer a cool climate without extreme temperatures during the ripening season. The cool climate of Batlow and Orange in NSW, for instance, is ideal for apple growing. Stanthorpe in Southern Queensland is another area known for apple production, with a record low temperature of -11 °C in July 1895.
In the past, apple cultivation in Australia was limited to such cold regions. However, the introduction of low-chill varieties like Tropical Apples (Malus domestica) has made it possible to grow apples in subtropical climates like Brisbane. These innovative varieties have removed the need for chill hours, making apple cultivation in warm weather regions possible.
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Apple tree care and maintenance
Apple trees are one of the most popular fruit trees to grow in Australia. They are easy to care for, bear delicious fruit, and can be accommodated in small spaces. Here is a detailed guide to apple tree care and maintenance:
Choosing the Right Tree
When choosing an apple tree, consider the size of your space. Dwarf apple trees are a great option for smaller yards, as they produce full-size fruit but only grow to about half the size of a standard apple tree. Grafting is a common technique used to control the size of dwarf trees. However, ensure you don't plant the grafting union too deep, or your tree will grow larger than intended. It is also important to choose a tree suited to your climate zone. Colder climates may require extra measures to protect trees from frost damage, especially during winter. Look for disease-resistant varieties such as 'Liberty', 'Jonafree', 'Macfree', and 'Williams Pride', which are easier to maintain and can be grown organically.
Planting
Winter is the ideal time to plant apple trees, as they are typically sold bare-rooted and dormant during this season. Choose a sunny spot that receives at least five to six hours of sunshine daily, and ensure the soil is well-drained and fertile. Do not add fertiliser to the planting hole; wait until you see signs of growth before feeding your tree.
Watering and Feeding
Apple trees require a steady supply of water, especially during summer droughts. Feed your trees in spring and autumn, using organic methods such as manure and compost or occasional applications of complete fruit tree fertilisers. Ensure you are using the correct fertiliser for your tree, containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. Apply it before the first frost of winter. Be careful not to overwater, as this can cause root rot and other diseases.
Pruning and Thinning
Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape and health of your apple tree. Apple trees should be pruned in the fall after producing fruit. Proper pruning techniques are crucial to avoid damaging branches and limbs. Thinning your tree is also important, especially in the early years, to allow the tree enough time to grow. You can expect to harvest apples starting in the tree's third year.
Pest and Disease Control
Apple trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Common pests include powdery mildew, wooly aphids, codling moth, and black spot. Proper pest control measures are critical to avoid harming bees and affecting pollination. Research your variety and climate to identify specific pests and apply the right controls.
Frost Protection
Apple trees, especially young ones, are very susceptible to frost damage. Protect your tree from frost during winter by covering it with a blanket, frost cloth, or other insulating materials when temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing.
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Apple tree pests and diseases
Apple trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases, and these can vary depending on the region in Australia. For instance, the woolly apple aphid (WAA) is a serious pest for apple production in all Australian fruit-growing regions.
Some common pests and diseases include powdery mildew, woolly aphids, codling moth, and black spot. Leaf-damaging mites, such as the Two Spotted Mite, European Red Mite, and Bryobia Mite, can also be an issue. These mites can be treated with natural predators like persimilus mites, or with a natural treatment of garlic, vegetable oil, detergent, and water.
Soil-borne pests and diseases can be minimised by using appropriate rootstocks. Additionally, some pests and diseases are localised to specific areas and certain growing seasons. For instance, the native budworm Helicoverpa punctigera and the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (also known as tobacco budworm) can attack pome fruits.
It is recommended to take samples of any suspected pest or disease to a local nursery for assessment and advice on treatment options. Chemical, organic, and eco-friendly treatments are available.
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History of apple growing in Australia
Apples were first introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788. Captain Phillip brought apples and apple seeds with him, which were then planted by the early colonists. The first apple tree planted in Tasmania dates back to this time, with the state becoming one of the world's major apple producers.
South Australia has a long history of apple growing, starting in the Adelaide Hills in the 1860s. By the late 1800s, apples and pears were being grown in a wide array of high-rainfall, cool-climate districts, with some of the main production districts being Coromandel Valley, Blackwood, Ashton, Summertown, Uraidla, Lenswood, Woodside, Gumeracha, Cudlee Creek, Houghton, Paracombe, Kersbrook, Clare, Wirrabara and the South East. South Australia currently has about 1.5 million apple trees, grown by around 60 apple growers, 80% of whom have small holdings of less than 20 hectares. The Lenswood Valley is the state's most important and longest-established growing area, with 80% of the growers.
In the 1930s to 1960s, the Blackwood Experimental Orchard provided bud sticks of apple material infested with Woolly Aphids to growers who wanted to establish parasites in their orchards. In the early 1960s, Senior Horticultural Adviser in the Department of Agriculture, David Kilpatrick, undertook a study tour of apple growing in the USA and introduced several Red Delicious spur-type varieties to Australia. He also found a spur-type Granny Smith at Cudlee Creek in 1964. There have been two major apple breeding programs in Australia, the most successful of which was led by John Cripps of the WA Department of Agriculture. He established a large range of crosses during the 1980s and 1990s and eventually produced the varieties Cripps Pink (trademarked as Pink Lady) and Sundowner, which have become very popular worldwide.
In 1900, Batlow in New South Wales was considered by many apple growers to be the premium apple-growing region in Australia due to its cold winters and long cool summers that produce clean, crisp apples. In 1922, the Batlow Fruit Co-operative was formed to help local growers market their fruit. Today, about half the apples grown at Batlow are marketed through the Co-op.
Victoria is the major growing area of apples in Australia, producing 43% of the nation's apples in 2015-16. The main growing regions are the Goulburn Valley, Yarra Valley, Harcourt and southern Victoria (including Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland). Queensland is also a significant apple-growing state, with the majority of orchards based around Stanthorpe near the NSW border.
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Apple varieties grown in Australia
Australia has a proud history of cultivating new apple varieties, with some of the most popular varieties grown in the country originating there. For example, the Granny Smith apple was discovered in 1868 by Maria Ann Smith in Eastwood, NSW, and the Cripps Pink (also known as Pink Lady) was bred by John Cripps in Western Australia.
Apple trees thrive in Australia's cooler climate zones, and the country is able to grow both 'High Chill' (cold) and 'Low Chill' (all) apple varieties. The southern hemisphere harvest season for apples begins in January with early season varieties such as Royal Gala and ends around May with later-maturing varieties such as Cripps Pink.
The Cox's Orange Pippin variety is considered by many to be the world's best-tasting apple, but it requires an extremely cold climate and is therefore only suited to the coldest districts in Australia. Other apple varieties that do well in cool climates include the Ambrosia, a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Senshu apple, which originated in Japan and is known for its intensely sweet, juicy, and aromatic flavour and cream-coloured flesh.
Dwarf varieties of apple trees, which are grafted onto a dwarf rootstock, are also available in Australia. These trees produce full-size fruit but only grow to between half and two-thirds the size of normal apple trees (2-4m tall instead of the usual 6-8m). This makes them well-suited to smaller spaces.
When planting apple trees in Australia, it is recommended to do so in winter when the trees are sold bare-rooted and dormant. They should be planted in a sunny spot that gets at least five to six hours of sunshine a day and in well-drained, fertile soil.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, apples are grown in all six Australian states.
Winter is the ideal time to plant apple trees, when they are sold bare-rooted and dormant.
A sunny spot that gets at least five to six hours of sunshine a day is essential.
The soil needs to be well-drained and fertile. It is also important to test the pH level of the soil and adjust it if necessary before planting.
Common pests include powdery mildew, woolly aphids, codling moth, and black spot. Diseases to watch out for include apple scab and Phytophthora.
