Apple Tree Karneval - Malus domestica

The Karneval Apple Tree is a recent variety of Czech origin, selected for its high yield, robustness, and resistance to diseases, including powdery mildew and scab, while preserving the excellent taste qualities of this fruit with its characteristic colours. The apples are round, slightly ribbed, medium-sized, with a yellow-green skin striped with wide red bands, completely red on the sunny side, without rust spots. The flesh is white, firm and juicy, slightly acidic and pleasantly aromatic. It is a refreshing apple to be enjoyed raw, but also of high quality when cooked in compotes, pastries, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes. Being self-sterile, it requires the presence of other apple varieties to improve pollination.

Malus domestica, also known scientifically as Malus communis or Malus pumila, is commonly called the Common or Domestic Apple Tree. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since antiquity, it is native to the forests of Central Asia. It has excellent hardiness and is probably the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe. There are about 20,000 varieties, including approximately 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin.

Malus domestica 'Karneval' is a recent creation from the Experimental Botanical Institute of Prague in the Czech Republic in 2011. It is the result of a cross between the 'Vanda' variety and the 'Cripps Pink' variety (syn. 'Pink Lady'). This cultivar is marketed in Europe by the German company ARTEVOS, through a network of affiliated producers or distributors. This Apple Tree forms a spreading habit tree that can reach approximately 4 to 5 m in height and 3 to 4 m in width when fully grown. Its habit is suitable for low or high stems and espalier forms. Its foliage consists of large, ovate leaves, greenish-brown on top, whitish-green underneath, with deeply toothed edges. The mid-early flowering occurs in April, which usually protects it from frost. The apple tree is therefore suitable for cultivation in all regions. The flowers are destroyed by frost from -2 to -3°C. It is a triploid variety, which despite its vigour, produces poor quality pollen, making it very weakly capable of pollinating other apple varieties. It produces apples with few or no viable seeds. It is said to be self-sterile, which is why the presence of apple trees that flower at the same time is necessary. The varieties Belchard, Elstar, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Melrose, and Reine des reinettes are suitable for cross-pollination. Ornamental apple trees, such as Perpetu Evereste and John Downie, flower abundantly and can be excellent pollinators.

The Karneval Apple Tree is a fairly vigorous variety, with rapid fruiting and high productivity, bearing fruit biennially, that is, producing abundantly every other year. The uniform and abundant fruit ripens between mid-September and early October. The apple can be consumed raw or cooked, in compotes, pastries, paired with cheeses, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes such as black pudding, pork, or salads. It is also perfect for making juice. Apples are easy to consume and satisfying. They are rich in carbohydrates and fructose, invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. Their content of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre makes the apple a healthy choice. The fruits can be stored during part of the winter in a cool, clean place, protected from light, at a temperature around 8 to 10°C, or in a cold room, sealed off from outside air, at a temperature of 1 to 3°C. The apple releases ethene, a gas that promotes fruit ripening. To accelerate the ripening of your other fruits or vegetables, place your apples nearby.

The apple tree is popular, thanks to its fruits, and will find a place in the garden for the pleasure of young and old. Among our wide range of apple trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits you.