Hi, I'm looking to add an apple to my collection and was thinking of adding a braeburn apple, but the source I am ordering from is sold out of braeburn. They do, however, have a Stark Braestar variety, which is in stock. I was wondering what the difference between the two is and if braestar is a good alternative to braeburn? Flavor is most important to me, followed by productivity and then by disease resistance. Thanks.
Excellent question. I’ve bought and got several Stark Brother’s fruit trees. Notice, they’re small, it saves on shipping and time in their nursery. They’ve usually got a twist on every variety, as in, theirs is not a Golden Delicious, it’s a “Starking Golden” (or something like that)... So if it’s not a spur variety, it’s likely very close to the tree from which it’s named.
Personally, I’d look for a larger caliper tree than ⅜ inches, though their current ‘sale price’ of $12.99 is fair … don’t know if that includes shipping. But we’re half way into this season; would this arrive as a ‘just out of the cooler’ dormant bare root tree..? If so, it will be way behind - and vulnerable to heat related stress as Summer’s prettymuch here.
Unless you’ve heard more than their claim of it being “The best Braeburn,” meaning it’s still a Braeburn … I’d either look for a potted Braeburn currently growing in a nursery, or wait until next spring to purchase a ‘regular (ordinary excellent) Braeburn’ that’s likely twice the size or another year old - the year you’ve now lost in growth.
Braeburn’s are relatively new, so I doubt there’s much variation or many ‘sports’ from the original. And, it’s perhaps my favorite apple. I have two trees, one in my poorest and the other in my richest soil. Both are small to moderate in size and fairly consistent in fruiting. They’ve a complex flavor, hard & crisp, perfect for juice and excellent keepers.
Viron said
...Braeburn’s are relatively new, so I doubt there’s much variation or many ‘sports’ from the original. And, it’s perhaps my favorite apple. I have two trees, one in my poorest and the other in my richest soil. Both are small to moderate in size and fairly consistent in fruiting. They’ve a complex flavor, hard & crisp, perfect for juice and excellent keepers.
Viron, have you had Braeburns from the grocery store? I don't remember having one that I liked, but there are varieties that I know can be very good of which I haven't found good ones at the store in years.
I used to love Fuji, but have only found ones worth buying 1 of the last 10 years (and one year in China). Honeycrisp is even worse in that regard. The only grocery store apples that have been good more often than not lately have been club apples.
Opal, Lady Alice, Smitten, and Envy.
Yes, Jafar, I’ll generally load up on Braeburns at the store, as opposed to either Fuji or Gala… I like their hardness and sweet-tart flavor. Fuji’s are too sweet and Gala’s somewhat insipid… The only downside to store bought Braeburns, to me, is that they’re likely picked too early; they’re a late apple that needs the additional tree time to sweeten up.
But I often find myself guilty of the adage that my ‘favorite apple is the last one I’ve eaten’
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Viron
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