Mark Kane
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Malus domestica 'Jonathan'
Plant Common Name
Apple, Eating Apple, Jonathan Apple
General Description
From its discovery in 1826, 'Jonathan' has been prized for eating fresh, for cooking, and for keeping its quality in cold storage. The small to medium-sized fruit has a thin, tough yellow skin overlain with a nearly solid red, and the white flesh is crisp and juicy, with a balance of tartness and sweetness.
A naturally small tree, descended like all domestic apples from a species native to southwestern Asia, 'Jonathan,' is precocious (it bears its first fruits while still young). The flowers are white and self-fertile, but crops are larger when a different apple pollinates them. Thin the apples when they are small, removing all but one or two from each cluster. This allows the remaining apples to reach full size and flavor. It also keeps the tree strong so it can make good crops year after year. The apples mature late in the apple season and remain attached to the tree through harvest and beyond.
The tree flowers and fruits best when grown in full sun on well-drained soil, but it will tolerate light shade and bouts of drought. For health and good yields, the tree must be pruned to let sunlight reach all the leaves. Fertilize the tree lightly or not at all, and avoid severe pruning, because twigs that grow quickly are susceptible to fire blight, a sometimes fatal bacterial disease. For gardeners with limited space, there are trees grafted on growth-limiting rootstocks.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
0'-15' / 0.0m - 4.6m
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Width
0'-15' / 0.0m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Southern Asia, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
