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Novamac apple

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A modern Mac-style apple, developed at the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food research station in Kentville, Nova Scotia.  Like several other apples developed here, it has the word "Nova" in its name.

Novamac ripens a bit ahead of its parent, McIntosh, but inherits the classic Mac sweet wine-like flavor.

USDA identification images for Novamac

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

    • 18 Oct 2022 
      I would beg to differ that the Novamac resembles much of its parent in flavor (size, texture, shape...yea). I love the intense flavor and tartness from these apples. I only wish they were available all the time.
    • 20 Oct 2011  NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada
      We have been working with this variety for nearly 30 years. It has not gotten the attention it deserves. It can be picked over a long period an even when unripe is flavorful and crisp. At peak it rivals its parent 'McIntosh' for flavor, being somewhat more vinous. It bears well every year and has an easy form form pruning. If we had to choose one apple to grow from all we grow (nearly 90 varieties) it would be 'Novamac'.

    Tree register

    Canada

    Poland

    Harvest records for this variety

    2023 season

    • 2nd week September  2023  - tree owned by Will in Severn, Canada

    2022 season

    • 2nd week September  2022  - tree owned by Will in Severn, Canada

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: McIntosh x scab-resistant seedling
    • Originates from: Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Introduced: 1970s
    • Developed by: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2003-026

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Canada
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999

    Using

    • Picking season: Mid
    • Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
    • Food uses: Eating fresh

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Precocity: Precocious
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer

    Climate

    • Frost resistance of blossom: Susceptible

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Novamac:

    United States




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