Apple Stark

An old American late-winter variety. Present in limited quantities in new plantings.

Trees are vigorous, with a wide, semi-erect crown of medium density, formed by branches that diverge from the trunk at nearly straight angles. Fruit type is mixed.

Shoots are thick, straight, medium length, reddish-brown, weakly hairy. Leaves are large, oval or inversely egg-shaped, with a narrowed asymmetric base and rounded apex. Leaf surface is smooth, matte, with serrated edges. Petioles are thick and long. Stipules are large and broad.

Fruits are above-average size and large, slightly flattened, round or round-conical, usually smooth or with faint ribs at the apex. Main color is green, with a diffuse brownish-red blush covering part of the fruit, rarely the entire fruit. Skin is thick, firm, with clearly visible whitish lenticels. Pedicels are short or medium length. Calyx is closed or half-closed, large, with a conical nectary tube. Seed chambers are usually closed. Axial cavity is very narrow.

Flesh is pale-yellow or cream-colored, with greenish veins, juicy, firm, slightly acidic-sweet, and its flavor harmonizes during storage. In the Krasnodar region, fruits contain 14.8% dry matter, 10.8–11.2% sugars, 0.56–0.68% titratable acids, 7.0–8.8 mg/100g ascorbic acid, and 98 mg/100g polyphenols.

Fruits ripen in early October and store well until April–May. During storage, superficial spotting may occur. The variety is early-bearing, highly productive, fruits annually, winter-hardy, and moderately resistant to scab.

Advantages of the variety: good and annual yield, adaptability to growing conditions, fruit quality and suitability for long-term storage.

Disadvantages of the variety: vigorous tree growth.