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Arlet apple

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Arlet is a modern Golden Delicious-style apple, developed in Switzerland.  It was patented in 1989, but the original cross between Golden Delicious (seed parent) and Idared was carried out in the 1950s.  In appearance it more closely resembles Idared, with a yellow skin color overlaid with large areas of red.  The flavor is pleasant and juicy, reasonably well balanced between sharp and sweet, but essentially mild.

Arlet was grown commercially on a limited scale in the 1970s, but is now primarily grown by gardeners.  It is probably more popular in the USA than Europe, and is known as Swiss Gourmet.

It ripens in early September, and keeps well - not surprising given that both Golden Delicious and Idared are noted for being long keepers.

USDA identification images for Arlet

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 01 Oct 2019  PA, United States
      My favorite mid-season snacking apple. Rather sweet, but with a hint of tartness and an interesting complexity of flavor. Also, rather crunchy.
    • 25 Sep 2018  OHIO, United States
      I always get some of these every September. Definitely sweet and mild, but the mildness allows you to taste a subtle spicy complexity. This year I'm not tasting much complexity, which may be due to a very wet summer here in Ohio. Still a pleasant apple to eat out of hand.
    • 12 Sep 2014  WASHINGTON, United States
      Nice size, nice color, nice flavor - if you prefer sweet over all else, which is why I give it three stars only. For my home orchard, this is not a candidate: although reports say it has the moderate vigor of Golden Delicious, it also has GD's vulnerability to scab, mildew and cedar apple rust. For a sweet apple, look into Beacon and Macoun (easy to manage and interesting aromas); for sweet/tart and flavor, look into Lord Lambourne, one of the best apples for the back yard you can find.
    • 26 Jan 2013  WASHINGTON, United States
      Very nice apple. Slightly more sweet than tart, but overall, pretty good balance. Nice looking apple as well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more just for eating.
    • 01 Jan 2010  United Kingdom
      Starter post

    Tree register

    United States

    Switzerland

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2012 season

    • 5th May  2012  - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Golden Delicious x Idared
    • Originates from: Switzerland
    • Introduced: 1958
    • Developed by: Bernhard Krapf at the Swiss Federal Research Station, Wadenswill.
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1994-040

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Switzerland
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Fruit colour: Red
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Alleles: 2
    • Alleles: 7

    Using

    • Picking season: Mid
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Discoloration of fruit: No discoloration (Good for drying)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: early September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Average
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Precocity: Precocious
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 6 (-23C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 7 (-18C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 8 (-12C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Average
    • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
    • Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
    • Cedar apple rust: Very susceptible

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Arlet:

    United States


    Canada




    References

    • Cedar-Apple Rust  
      Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
      Rated as highly susceptible - control always needed where CAR is prevalent.
    • Apples for the 21st Century
      Author: Manhart

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