Wednesday, August 11, 2010

More special fruit trees

We collected 3 trees from Kaiwaka Gardens (ex. Koanga) and planted them yesterday. They are 2 apples - Northern Spy, a well-known and loved heritage variety, and Vaille Early which was common locally 150 years ago.
We also planted another variety of pear - Triumph de Vienna, a large brown russet and an excellent dessert pear.


and here's food for thought - according to the Koanga tree catalogue, a Northland nursery (Morrisons) had 140 varieties of apple for sale in their 1907 catalogue! 140! And then came supermarkets after WWII and the fruit was grown with one aim - long shelf-life! So we lost all the really tasty apples. Isn't that sad. It's nice to know that at least we've got a few of the old varieties in our orchard to carry on the link in the chain for future generations.

 The manuka hedge is flowering and looks beautiful:

at

4 comments:

  1. CadiAugust 12, 2010 at 2:17 AM

    I think it's such a bummer how variety got lost.

    It's like that with lettuce, too. Here in the U.S. iceberg is the most common lettuce, which is actually the least nutritious.

    I love the blossom picture.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ruth @ Camellia RoseAugust 12, 2010 at 8:25 PM

    Beautiful blossoms! The blossoms aren't out yet here in Chch but it won't be long now.

    It's amazing how many varieties of apple tree there are around now, and great that so many are heritage! I love trying varities you can't buy in the shops.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MatronAugust 13, 2010 at 12:20 AM

    When I go to the National Fruit collection here in Brogdale, Kent they have 2000 varieties of apple trees! Some are an exquisite taste and quality but cannot be kept at all without deteriorating - so the supermarkets are not interested. So interesting to see your manuka flowers - I buy manuka honey here, specially imported from NZ!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cabbage Tree FarmAugust 13, 2010 at 7:48 AM

    Wow Matron, 2000 varieties!
    We had a small number in comparison, just what the settlers could bring with them on their long journeys here.
    The heritage varieties are growing in popularity now (lots of people putting in orchards where they can) though so that's great.

    ReplyDelete