Melba

Dessert apple

Malus domestica Borkh.

Raised in 1898 by W.T. Macoun at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. Introduced in 1909. It received the Silver Wilder Medal from the American Pomological Society in 1927. Fruits have firm, crisp, white, juicy flesh with a refreshing vinous flavour. Skin is aromatic.

Availability
Material available from the National Fruit Collection.

Parentage:
McIntosh x Unknown

Mother to:
Caravel
Silva
Jamba 69
Beverly Hills

Father to:
Ranger
Pirja

Sports:
Red Melba
Hunter Melba

Accession No.
1925 - 021   fingerprint   check_circle

Accession name
Melba

Flowering time
3rd May 10% flowering
8th May Full (80%) flowering
14th May 90% petal fall

Picking time
Mid August 1

Size
medium 1

Type
Dessert 1

Shape
Flat globose 1

Ribbing
weak-medium 1

Crown
medium 1

Ground Colour
Whitish yellow 1

Over Colour
Pink 1

Over Colour (Pattern)
striped/mottled 1

Firmness
firm 1

Crunch
crisp 1

Flesh Colour
White 1


References:
1. NFC fruit (undated) Unpublished characterisation by staff at NFC, Brogdale.
2. Smith, M. (1971) National Apple Register