FLORIANER ROSENAPFEL.
lorianer Rosenapfel (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], second series, N°. 109; Handbuch, I, page 431).
According to the Handbuch this variety may have come from the well-known abbey of St. Florian (Traunkreis in Austria); distributed by Mr. OBERDIECK, who sent it to us as well.
SHAPE: sometimes a bit higher and more narrow towards the eye than our illustration.
SIZE: second or third grade.
EYE: closed; fine green sepals, woolly, in a narrow, rather deep basin, surrounded by little ribs which often cover part of the apple.
STALK: 20 - 30 mms long, woody, light-brown, medium broad cavity without any russeting.
The COLOUR is as illustrated, although usually the red is more evenly spread and one notices darker red flames and stripes. The skin is smooth, glossy, very thin, covered with a slight bloom while on the tree; a bit waxy when ripe.
The FLESH is very fine, yellowish, juicy, sweetish sour, pleasantly spicy more or less like the Princesse noble (N°. 65) but better still in our opinion, attractive aroma. The core is medium sized, open, with many well-shaped light brown pips.
TIME OF USE: November and December, sometimes as early as October; first grade for dessert, taste and appearance.
The TREE is a moderate grower and very fertile; the rather long, thin twigs are light brown, a bit yellowish, light olive coloured at the shadow side, with small, greyish white dots; buds are large, snub, cone-shaped, standing off and rather high on the twig. The shoots are light brown with olive-yellow, slightly woolly; the leaf stalks measure 15 - 20 mms; leaves are medium sized, oval and pointed, bluntly serrated, on top light green, underneath greyish, woolly, undulating, sides bent upwards. The tree looks a lot like the Princesse noble (N°. 65) and may be related. The tree forms an attractive pyramid and, as a standard tree, a nice crown. It can be recommended for both shapes; less suitable as espalier.