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RE: Pinkabelle Apple Tree

Posted 248 days ago

I just found this post from Daleys Fruit forum. This should answer all your questions about Pinkerbelle apples. I have no first hand knowledge because apples don't grow in SEQ.

Craig Perring says...
Hi all,

My name is Craig Perring and i work for PlantNet, the company that is selling the Pinkabelle apple.
I am sorry that i did not see this post earlier as i could have helped a few people by the sounds of it.
The first point i would like to make is that is a dwarfing tree NOT on a dwarfing rootstock as per other "dwarf varieties". It is fact on 106 rootstock which is considered to be vigourous (some are on Nothern Spie rootstock too).
The apples are full size and are, and taste wise are the same as Pink lady apples. The only difference that we have found is that they crop approximately 2 weeks before a normal Pink Lady. The taste is beautiful (admittedly i am a bit bias as Pink Ladies are my favourite apple). I think the apples are tiny bit bigger too (may need glasses?), although that comes down to my own judgement.
Pinkabelle is partially self fertile, but benefits from cross pollination - i.e. it will set fruit if have one tree, it will set more fruit if you have two and will set an abundance of fruit if you have a cross pollinator. There are many pollinators - most of which come in a dwarf form (i.e grafted on a dwarf stock) such as granny smith, gala varieties, red delicious, crab apple and others - as long as it is flowering at the same time as Pinkabelle. Grannies are being recommended as a good cross simply as they are a longer flowering apple than most and cover early and mid season apples (and even some later fruiting varieties).
Pinkabelle is a temperate apple which equates to chilling hours as about medium chill.
Pinkabelle is different to normal dwarf Pink Lady apples due to its form - as mentioned it is a dwarfing tree not on dwarfing rootstock. It is a spur bearing apple, partially self fertile, fruits approximately 2-3 weeks earlier, been proven in a pot, heavy cropper (once mature and it is being cross pollinated you can expect up to approximately 35-40kg of fruit) - the price tag being heavier does not come down being trademarked. Pinkabelle is PBRed and therefore royalties to the owners of Pinkabelle have to be paid which drives the price up.
I hope this helps with some of your questions and i am happy to answer more if anyone would like more information.
cheers,
Craig Perring
w: (02) 9838 1909
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RE: Pinkabelle Apple Tree

Posted 248 days ago

Hi Pomolo thanks for your help, I had already found that forum and posted my question there which was answered almost straight away. There is alot of useful information about all sorts of things on that forum. Thanks anyway.

RE: Pinkabelle Apple Tree

Posted 55 days ago

I have read what craig wrote and understands what he said but could anyone give more info regards looking after it such as fertilising and pest control.Any advice appreciated

RE: Pinkabelle Apple Tree

Posted 53 days ago

I recently bought one, and have planted it in a large self watering pot. I also put in a few chives around the bottom to deter a few pests, and filled up the top of the pot with pea straw. It all seems to be working because it's got lots of shoots and flowers are starting to appear. Oh, and it's in full sun. Because of all the straw it stays damp and I only water it every 5 days or so.
Hope that answers your question!