Malus domestica ‘Elstar’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, Duo apple tree, Height approx. 100 cm, 5-litre pot

This dual-variety apple tree combines Elstar and Golden Delicious on a single rootstock. Through grafting, branches bearing two varieties of apple grow on the same tree. This means you can enjoy two types of apple in one place: the crisp, sweet Elstar and the sweet, yellow-ripening Golden Delicious.

Why choose a dual-variety apple tree?

Planting a pair is a practical way to add more variety to a small fruit garden. Both varieties retain their own characteristics. The fruit may differ in colour, flavour and ripening time; so be sure to pick them by variety at the right time.

Contents of this product

1 x dual-variety apple tree featuring Elstar and Golden Delicious. Supplied in a 5-litre pot, with a height of approximately 100 cm including the pot.

Height, branching and foliage may vary from plant to plant and from season to season. Flowering and fruiting at the time of delivery are not guaranteed.

Pollination

The two different varieties can contribute to cross-pollination within the same tree when their flowering periods overlap. This still requires pollinating insects and favourable flowering conditions. Late night frosts can damage the blossoms. The presence of two varieties is therefore no guarantee of a consistent yield.

Location and care

Choose a sunny spot in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Water after planting and during dry spells. Plant the graft union above ground level and support the tree with a stake where necessary. For the patio, you’ll need a spacious pot with drainage holes; when grown in a pot, watering and feeding require extra attention.

Harvest and seasons

Only pick the apples when they are ripe and come away with a gentle twist. The weather and the tree’s location affect ripening and yield. Thin out a very heavy crop to relieve the load on the branches and give the remaining apples space to grow. The tree sheds its leaves in autumn. In the early years, the focus is on the tree establishing itself well and achieving balanced growth.

Pruning a twin tree

Keep both grafted varieties in balance. Prune a faster-growing branch back slightly more so that the other variety retains sufficient light and space. Do not remove all the branches of one variety, otherwise that part of the pair will be lost. Remove shoots below the grafting point and keep the crown open. The final height depends on the rootstock, location and pruning.