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  • From: Joe and Ellen Hecksel <jhecksel@voyager.net>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] basic question time
  • Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:01:25 -0500

Hi Rob

This may seem a basic question for you apple experts
out there.


I am not an expert but I will give it a whack



What actually is a Crabapple and how is it different
from the apples we eat?


Crabapples are species and hybrids of the genus Malus that are less than 2" (that is 50mm in Canada) in diameter. There is a little bit of flexibility in the diameter, but 2" is a commonly excepted as the dividing line.


I originally thought they were just ornaments, but I
have eaten a crabapple that is just a little smaller
than a granny smith and was sweet.


That is a BIG crab apple.


Is it a different species?


It is not a species thing, it is a fruit size thing. However, most crabapples are selected for showy displays of flowers. Many flowers usually means many fruit. Many fruit means small fruit. Also, since fruit flavor is usually not a selection criterion, many ornamental crabs taste downright nasty. The good tasting ornamental crabs are lucky accidents.


Do they breed with edible apples?


You bet.


Is there some trait about Crabapples that are
desirable for a breeder?


Yes. Domestic apples have a very narrow genetic base. Picture a one legged stool. Intrinsically unstable.

Extreme hardiness:
Malus baccata, M X robusta
Assorted scab resistance genes:
M floribunda, robusta, micromalus, Geneva crab (cannot spell the species from memory)

Some down-sides:
Many are extremely sensitive to virus (the sensitive domestic were purged from the gene pool)
Many are poor at assimilating calcium from the ground.
Graft incompatabilities can be an issue.



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--
-Joe Hecksel
My personal website: http://my.voyager.net/~jhecksel








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