Because of its excellent taste, the 'Alkmene' apple variety is still extremely popular, even if it is not one of the most productive apple varieties. We show how the 'Alkmene' apple variety came about, how it tastes and how it can be successfully cultivated.
The 'Alkmene' apple is one of the traditional dessert fruit varieties and is still highly valued by many today because of its exquisite taste. Unfortunately, however, it hardly gets any attention in large-scale apple production, so that it is rarely found on supermarket shelves. However, if you don't want to do without the delicious apple variety, you can grow the hardy 'Alkmene' in your own garden. This article tells you what you need to consider.
‘Alcmene’: profile
| Fruit | small to medium sized; golden yellow, orange-red on the sunny side |
| Flavour | aromatic, slightly acidic |
| Yield | high and regular |
| Harvest time | from September |
| Maturity for pleasure | Mid September to late October |
| Shelf Life | medium; can be stored until the end of November |
| Growth | medium to strong |
| Climate | mild; tolerates windy conditions |
| Diseases and Pests | very susceptible to fire blight, fruit tree canker, sunburn, spider mites |
Origin and history of the apple variety 'Alkmene'
The 'Alkmene' apple variety originated in Müncheberg, Germany, where it was bred in 1930 at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Breeding Research specifically for successful cultivation in drier areas. This was achieved by crossing the demanding English variety 'Cox Orange', most of whose properties should be found in the 'Alkmene', and the 19th-century table apple 'Geheimrat Dr. Oldenburg'.
Properties and taste of 'Alkmene'
The small to medium-sized, round onesFruits of the 'Alkmene' can hardly be distinguished visually from their father variety 'Cox Orange', because both are characterized by their golden yellow and orange-red color on the sunny side, the thin and smooth skin and their green-yellow, crunchy flesh. The particularly aromatic, slightly sour taste is also reminiscent of the famous English table apple. Although its yield is regular and high, it cannot keep up with the yield of typical cultivated apple varieties such as 'Golden Delicious', so that 'Alkmene' is rarely cultivated conventionally. The early autumn variety is ready for picking at the beginning of September and is ready for consumption from mid-September to the end of October. The 'Alkmene' shows no fruit drop.
From the end of April to mid-May, the 'Alkmene' shows a we alth of flowers on its tree: the white-pink colored flowers are not only pretty, but also have a particularly long flowering period. For this reason, the 'Alkmene' is also very popular with bees and bumblebees, so that it can make a valuable contribution to nature conservation. In contrast to the 'Cox Orange', it is significantly more resistant to powdery mildew and scab, two of the most common diseases in apple production. However, it is very susceptible to fire blight and fruit tree canker, but also to sunburn and spider mite infestations.
Special features of the cultivation of the Alcmene apple tree
Apple trees of the 'Alkmene' variety feel particularly comfortable in mild regions. The ideal location for the robust apple is a semi-shady place, as otherwise it tends to sunburn easily, which can reduce yields. Unlike its father variety 'Cox Orange', 'Alkmene' can also cope with dry to moderately fresh soils. In order for the apple variety to develop well, however, it is also important to ensure that the soil is drained and rich in nutrients. The 'Alkmene' can also generally tolerate windy locations.
Depending on location and care, the Alkmene apple tree shows medium to strong, upright growth. However, restrained pruning and careful fertilization can limit the growth of the 'Alkmene', so that the tree can also be integrated into smaller gardens. As with other apple varieties, regular pruning is essential for long-term fruit development. You can find out how to achieve a good balance between new growth and yield with the right pruning in our special article "Pruning apple trees: expert advice".
Like all apple trees, the 'Alkmene' is a heart root, so that it is actually optimally equipped to supply itself with the required nutrients from the deep and more near-surface soil layers. Nevertheless, in addition to pruning, fertilizing can also be a useful support for the growth of your apple tree. But be careful: Too much fertilizer can also cause immense damage to your tree. You can find out how best to proceed when fertilizing an apple tree in our article "Fertilize apple trees: You should pay attention to these tips".
Alkmene: harvest time and use of the variety
The early autumn variety is ready for picking at the beginning of September and is then ready for consumption from mid-September to the end of October. Unfortunately, the 'Alkmene' is only suitable as a storage apple to a limited extent, as it is very susceptible to rot and tends to tan quickly. If stored in a cool place at around 2 °C, the 'Alkmene' can usually be stored until the end of November.
Thanks to its fine taste, 'Alkmene' is an excellent dessert fruit. Their tasty, sour aroma also gives baked goods such as apple pie or apple strudel a special touch. However, if you want to enjoy your apples a little longer, we recommend squeezing the apples into a delicious juice or boiling them down with a little sugar to make applesauce.
If you are looking for an apple with a better shelf life then the 'Ontario' is definitely something for you - the dessert apple has a shelf life until May.