Producing large, sweet and fleshy red fruits by late summer, the paradise apple is a springtime delight with fragrant, large white blossoms. This rounded and spreading deciduous tree is native to southeastern Europe and extreme western Asia.
Leaves of the paradise apple are oval and often edged in coarse teeth. When young they are a bright yellow green and mature to a lightly glossed medium green with a hairy white underside. In mid-spring flowerbuds arise all along the branches, most in clusters atop short spur branches. They open white with faint blshes of pink, are fragrant and are pollinated by bees. and open to violet-red flowers that are The fruits develop into large pomes that are a mottled or striated blend of shades of red and yellow, being mature by late summer or early autumn. Fall foliage is mottled and uninspiring, being green with yellow, bronze and orange. Songbirds, rodents, and deer will feed on the fruits or tender twigs in fall and winter.
Plant paradise apple in full sun in any moderately fertile, deep, well-draining soil that is moist throughout the growing season. Although having slight drought tolerance, the plant will not look appealing without supplemental watering in prolonged dry periods. It is not well-suited to regions with long, humid, wet summers or in low deserts. An extended cold period is needed each winter to ensure production of flowers in the springtime. Use this rustic-looking small fruit tree as a specimen or as a windbreak or large hedgerow. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Malus
Species - Pumila
Common name - Fiji Apple
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 8
Height - 15'-20' / 4.6m - 6.1m
Spread - 18'-25' / 5.5m - 7.6m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, laom, Sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break
Germination rate - 60%
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White - Pink
|Germination||1. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours, to soften the outer layer. |
2. Place the seeds in a damp paper towel and then fold it into quarters. Place the towel into a plastic bag and place into the refrigerator. Keep the seeds inside the refrigerator for 60 to 80 days.
3. Sow 2 mm deep in soil. After approximately 6 weeks the seeds should begin to sprout. Only about 50-60% of the seeds will germinate so plant enough!
4. Plant the sprouts into 6-inch containers filled with a well draining potting soil. Select a container that drains. Be careful not to injure the root system when planting the apple seedlings. Water to keep the soil moist, but not soggy and place the container in a sunny window.
5. When the plant is six months to one year-old, plant it outside in a location situated in full-sun and with well-drained soil. Select a planting site where the tree won't be crowded and gets good air circulation. Constantly wet soils and crowded conditions leads to disease problems and possible death.
Info source: eHow.com