Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Malus 'John Downie'
Also known as
Apple 'John Downie', Apple Tree 'John Downie'
Photo by Archerfield_Walled_Garden (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Half-hardy
H7-H3
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
5m | Max | 8m |
2m | Min | 2m |
Fruiting
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
An indication of an apple being ready to pick is that is has coloured. The fruit should have swelled up to a good size and crunch with touch. To pick an apple, cup it in your hand, lift gently and if it easily comes off, it is ripe.
More images of Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Crab Apple 'John Downie' Overview
This apple is a broadly conical & upright mid sized tree getting to 8m high with pink buds opening to white flowers in spring. These develop into bright scarlet-orange fruits in autumn.
Common problems with Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Pests that attack apples are scale, codling moths, fruit fly and mites. Powdery mildew results in a dusty white coating on leaves and fruit. Apple scab results in greenish brown spots and fusi result in black spots on the fruit skin.
How to propagate Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Budding
Grafting
Special features of Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Attracts useful insects
Blossoms need cross pollinating to set as fruit therefor the nectar attrack insects like bees.
Hedge plant
Apple trees can be tree-trained or espaliered into beautiful shapes to make a pretty hedge screen.
Crop rotation
Do not plant an apple tree where an old one was removed - rather plant vegetables or trees from other fruit families.
Other uses of Crab Apple 'John Downie'
Suitable to plant for architecture in urban or smaller gardens, it can also be grown in containers.
Culinary
Apples are delicious nutritious fruit!
Medicinal
Minerals and vitamins inside the fruit prevent diseases and grated apple is considered a wonderful treat for recovering during and or after illness.