Red Astrachan

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Red Astrachan is an old Russian variety. According to the Herefordshire Pomona, it was imported in England from Sweden in 1816, and probably soon after that it became available in North America. This is one of the earliest red apples, ripening just a few days after the Yellow Transparent, but of better eating quality. It grows to a fairly good size and is a very pretty apple. Hardy to zone 3. Considered as "Good to very good" by Beach in Apples of New York (1905) and was one of the "First class varieties" of Downing (1864). On the negative side, it is said to be an alternate bearer and sensitive to scab. Picture from Claude's orchard, taken Aug 21, 2006, apples picked 2 days before. Largest 78 mm across. <img alt="" src="http://grou.ps/wysiwyg_files/editor/groworganicapples-20100314143216-zalmxtdyaceazwwbu.jpg" align="none"> GROWER COMMENTS:
 
<a href="../../people/zalmxtdyaceazwwbu">Claude Jolicoeur</a>, Quebec, Zone 4I grafted Red Astrachan in 1995 and got first fruits in 2000. I am
quite pleased with it, the taste is good - better than Yellow
Transparent, and the scab sensitivity is not so bad (in an unsprayed
orchard) except on really bad years. Very hardy in my zone 4 climate
and fairly regular bearer. I think this is a very recommandable summer
apple, but it should not be grafted or planted in large quantity as
better sorts will ripen a week to 10 days later and excessive
production will be lost since the fruit doesn't keep long and doesn't
have the qualities to be used for cider. <a href="../../people/yevbsjhmvehnqunkz">Steve Gougeon</a>, Western Massachusetts, Zone 4I have an old (80 -100 years) Red Astrachan in my orchard and really enjoy it
as it is our first apple of the season. At elevation (1650') in the
Berkshires of western Mass. it is ready the last week of July. It is
higher in tannins and makes for a nice tart apple sauce. This quality
also makes it nice for hard cider as you can blend it with sweeter
later season cider to balance the tannins (tartness) in it.

GROWER COMMENTS:

Claude Jolicoeur, Quebec, Zone 4

I grafted Red Astrachan in 1995 and got first fruits in 2000. I am quite pleased with it, the taste is good - better than Yellow Transparent, and the scab sensitivity is not so bad (in an unsprayed orchard) except on really bad years. Very hardy in my zone 4 climate and fairly regular bearer. I think this is a very recommandable summer apple, but it should not be grafted or planted in large quantity as better sorts will ripen a week to 10 days later and excessive production will be lost since the fruit doesn't keep long and doesn't have the qualities to be used for cider.

Steve Gougeon, Western Massachusetts, Zone 4

I have an old (80 -100 years) Red Astrachan in my orchard and really enjoy it as it is our first apple of the season. At elevation (1650') in the Berkshires of western Mass. it is ready the last week of July. It is higher in tannins and makes for a nice tart apple sauce. This quality also makes it nice for hard cider as you can blend it with sweeter later season cider to balance the tannins (tartness) in it.