Apple, Red Delicious

Red Delicious apples are an iconic variety known for their striking deep red color, mildly sweet flavor, and smooth, crisp skin. Originally discovered in Iowa, this classic apple is easy to grow and ripens in mid-September, making it one of the most recognizable and widely grown apples in the world. Red Delicious apples are best enjoyed fresh and are perfect for adding color to salads, fruit platters, and snacks. Their distinctive shape, with slight ribbing and a rounded crown, and their beautiful color make them visually appealing in markets and orchards.

Key Characteristics

Mild, Sweet Flavor
Red Delicious apples have a naturally mild sweetness with low acidity, creating a smooth, gentle flavor ideal for fresh eating. This subtle taste makes them great for snacking and a beautiful addition to salads.

Classic Red Color and Attractive Shape
With their deep red color and signature elongated shape, Red Delicious apples are eye-catching and bring visual appeal to fruit displays, making them a market favorite.

Mid-Season Harvest
Ripening in mid-September, Red Delicious apples add a reliable early-fall harvest to orchards and store well when refrigerated, allowing for enjoyment into winter.

Firm Skin and Tender Flesh
Red Delicious apples have a smooth, glossy skin that protects the tender, mildly sweet flesh. This texture combination makes them perfect for fresh eating but less suited for baking, where firmer apples are preferred.

Reliable Pollinator
Red Delicious apples benefit from cross-pollination to enhance yields and fruit quality. Compatible pollinators include 'Gala,' 'Fuji,' and 'Granny Smith,' ensuring more productive and vigorous orchards.

Product Details

• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium, well-draining
• Bloom Time: Mid-season (April)
• Bloom Color: White
• Fruit Qualities: Mildly sweet, tender flesh, firm red skin
• Fruit Uses: Fresh eating, salads, fruit platters
• Fruit Ripening Month: Mid-September
• Winter chilling: Approximately 700 hours; published nursery estimates are approximate.
• Pollination partners: For reliable crops, plant a different compatible apple variety with overlapping bloom. A second tree of this same named variety does not provide cross-pollination. Suggested partners: Apple, Golden Delicious, Apple, Gala.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8

Red Delicious apples bring classic beauty, mild sweetness, and versatility for fresh enjoyment, making them a staple in home orchards and a popular choice for markets.