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Rubens on course to be another masterpiece
21/Sep/2007
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Tree planting demonstrates grower confidence in the newly available Rubens variety of dessert apple. David Shapley writes for the FPJ. |
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| Rubens, the Italian bred Elstar/Gala cross which has been under trial for the last three years in Kent is now set to make an impact on the dessert apple market.
This spring the first 30,000 trees have been planted by members in the 50 strong growers group which marketed through Norman Collett. It follows the signing of an exclusive UK rights agreement by the marketing group last March with Italian breeders Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV).
It will be followed through by a further 70,000 in 2008, with the high probability that more will be imported.
"Grown on two year trees it will mean that there is full commercial bearing by 2011, "says managing director Andy Sadler.
The impetus has come from the results which have already been achieved by two growers Simon Mount at New Barn Farm, Stourmouth and Nigel Bardsley at River Farm, Staplehurst, who have been in the vanguard from the time the variety showed promise. Each planted 50 trees - the first in the country - which are now three years old.
Nigel Bardsley first saw the variety at a fruit show in Italy and was so impressed with the large red apples that he brought home a tray. " It was in an apple club but had not been taken up in the UK ," he explained.
The question was would it perform as well this side of the Channel. And he adds: "The answer is Yes. Trials have shown me what I saw in the original box can be grown on our trees," he adds.
Simon Mount who visited growers in Holland and Belgium who are also part of the Rubens trademark club, was also initially impressed with its texture and intense flavour.
"It is also as disease resistant as other other varieties I grow, and produces between 85-90 percent Class I fruit in the 65 mm plus size band," he explains.
"It fits neatly into the apple calendar as it can be more economically harvested after Gala and Cox, and is sold from store between November to March, so there is long availability at a time when consumers are looking for new tastes. It will also widen the selection that Collett's can offer retailers."
The proof of the pudding is that south of Canterbury at Howletts Farm, Shottenden, John Colthup has already staked out 13,000 trees on land which once grew hops. Next spring Simon Mount takes delivery of 12,000 trees and will increase his orchard area.
One aspect which Sadler is already stressing to buyers is how well the variety has performed on the Continent in comparative tastes tests against Gala and Elstar. In Germany, Italy and Sweden it realised double the appreciation factor.
Now there is sufficient English Rubens to provide sufficient volume following harvesting in the last week of September for Collett's to establish consumer panels as well as introducing Rubens to both retailers and the media.
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