North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[PATTY <jrplelie@centurylink.net>]

Dave,

I have been finding these old European apple varieties quite intriguing.  
With many of these still doing well in their home countries, I have been 
using Google Chrome's built in translator to get descriptions off of the 
European websites (nurseries and collections)  Some of the translations can 
be a little rough but it has been a big help.  Here is the link for one of 
the better sites.  It has a nice search feature.

http://www.lpv-odermuendung.de/php/data.php?F2=A&Sortenname=Graue%20Franz%F6sische%20Renette

(This link goes right to the Reinette Grise apple, which was where I just 
happened to save it.)

I have five acres and plan to do a take on the Streuobst (Medieval 
permaculture?) Genetic diversity, especialy where disease resistance and 
adaptability are concerned, is taken into account with a deliberate attempt 
to avoid many of the cultivars derived from the big 5 (Delicious, Golden 
Delicious, McIntosh, Cox, and James Grieve). They will be present but not in 
an overpowering manner.  Accessions from the ARS/Grin Kazakhstani collection 
are present but I may add a few from Spearheart Orchard.  Quite a few of the 
modern disease resistant varieties (Vf) are present but as of late the 
polygenic resistance of the old European apples seems like a better way to 
go.  

It is awesome that your horticultural endeavors can add to your Medieval 
interests.  Makes for a nice experience.


Keep in touch

Jim Elie
zone 5a
Pulaski, WI








----- Original Message -----

Jim,

Aren't you the source of the post a couple months ago asking if anyone had 
experience in the upper Midwest (not quite the phrase you used) in husbanding 
a list of older European apples?
I recognized Edelborsdorfer, which showed up in a previous reading of The 
Book of Apples, (the RHS publication) and looked into it. That precipitated 
an inquiry into others, via the excellent paper on recent apple inbreeding 
which you mentioned. I wonder if Cummins or the Cornell/Geneva research 
people could obtain scion wood of PAvP? I will ask.

BTW, because of your e-mail, I hope to obtain and graft Edelbosrdorfer, Roter 
Eiserapfel and Glockenapfel this next season. Red Iron and Bell date back to 
1500 or so, and Borsdorf Noble (translated) appears to date back no less than 
1175! I play in Renaissance Faires and hope to bring fruit that our ancestors 
enjoyed to the masses. 
To that end, I already have (by the grace of God) Lady/Christmas/Pomme d'Api 
growing out back. Perhaps I can also get Gray (Pomme Grise, before 1600?) and 
Wise (Court Pendu Plat, circa 450 AD and contemporary of Lady?)

If Prince Albert of Prussia comes to our shores and I learn of it, you shall 
hear from me. Not all the apples I keep date so far back. Other 
considerations also apply.
Yours for a fruitful year,

Dave Liezen, Spokane, WA z6


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