Apple Red Cap

The Red Cap apple tree is a winter variety that is a natural mutation of the well-known Red Delicious variety. This variety is characterized by high winter hardiness and resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew and scab, making it suitable for cultivation in various climatic zones. The tree's crown has a spherical, compact, and moderately dense shape with high growth vigor, which requires timely pruning and shaping into a freely bearing or slender spindle form. For grafting, rootstock varieties M9 T337, 54-118, and MM106 are used.

Red Cap fruits are of medium to large size, weighing from 180 to 220 grams, and have bright red, dense, and shiny skin. The apple flesh is crisp, dense, and has a balanced sweet taste with a slight tartness, making them one of the tastiest among Red Delicious clones. The variety is characterized by high marketability and fruit transportability, with fruits ripening at the end of September – beginning of October, while consumer readiness occurs in November. Apples store well in a refrigerator for up to six months.

Red Cap begins bearing fruit already in the second year after planting and requires the presence of pollinators for a full harvest. The tree blooms early, abundantly, and for a prolonged period, which contributes to stable and regular fruiting without biennial bearing. Due to their taste qualities and long storage period, apples of this variety are widely used both fresh and for juice production.