The apple variety 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' was registered in 1888 and is characterized by its good he alth and robustness. We present the autumn apple and the special features of cultivation and care.
As early as 1888, John Graham accidentally discovered a seedling of unknown origin in England. He called it 'Graham's Jubilee', which is now called 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' or 'Grahams' for short. The apple tree 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is particularly popular because of its robustness against all kinds of typical apple diseases and because of its tasty apples.
Graham's Jubilee Apple: Wanted Poster
| synonym | 'Grahams Jubilee', 'Grahams', 'Graham Royal Jubilee', 'Grahams Queen Jubilee Apple' |
| Fruit | large; green to light yellow base color with orange-red top color |
| Flavour | moderately juicy, sweet |
| Yield | high and regular |
| Harvest time | mid-September to mid-October |
| Maturity for pleasure | mid-September to mid-October |
| Shelf Life | bad |
| Growth | medium strong |
| Climate | Not suitable for locations prone to late frost or drafts |
| Diseases and Pests | No known vulnerabilities |
History and origin of the apple
Like so many popular apple varieties - such as the 'Corbinian apple' - 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' was not specifically bred, but discovered by accident. Mother and father varieties are therefore unknown. John Graham recognized the potential of the tree and the good taste of the fruit and named the variety as early as 1888. The origin of his unusual name is well documented: John Graham dedicated his new apple variety to Queen Victoria, who celebrated her 50th jubilee on the throne in 1887. For this reason, the apple was initially called 'Graham Royal Jubilee', or in Germany 'Graham's Queen Jubilee Apple'.
Only from 1893the apple variety was then professionally produced and marketed by Bunyard Nursery of Maidstone. In the 1950s and 1960s, the 'Grahams Jubilee Apple' was still grown commercially on the Lower Elbe and in the Old Country and was mainly used for core extraction. Today the apple is no longer important in fruit growing, but it is very popular in private gardens.
Features and Flavor of Graham's Jubilee Apple
The 'Grahams Jubilee' apple has a tall, conical and somewhat irregular shape and is one of the larger apple varieties with an average fruit weight of 140 g. The apples show a green to light yellow basic color - only on the sunny side can a faint orange-red develop as an overcolor. The smooth, rust-free skin of the 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is dull and firm. Some russeting is only found on the stalk and the deep calyx. The flesh is fluffy and whitish with a yellow tint and medium-sized cells. In the mouth, 'Grahams Jubilee' feels moderately juicy. Unfortunately, the taste of the 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is only in the middle range: it is more sweet than tart. Many lovers are nevertheless convinced of this apple. The firm shell of 'Grahams Jubilee' is firm and therefore not very sensitive to pressure.
Growing and Care Tips for Graham's Jubilee Apple
Grahams Jubilee is hardy and generally he althy. There are no known susceptibility to typical apple tree diseases. It also thrives on poor soil, in rough mountainous areas and on boggy soil - where many other varieties would have given up long ago. The wood is particularly insensitive to the effects of frost, and frost cracks hardly ever occur. However, the late, short flowering is more sensitive and does not tolerate any frost. There is a small snag on this "miracle tree": In locations endangered by late frost, the blossom can freeze, which leads to crop failure and also triggers a whole series of years with fluctuating yields - known as " alternance". In locations where there is no danger of late frost, however, the yields are high and even. Draft locations can also be a problem: 'Grahams Royal Jubilee' can easily be shaken off the branches prematurely by the wind, which leads to bruises in ripe specimens or yields buckets of half-ripe fruits.
Graham's Jubilee Apple grows moderately tall and forms an umbrella shaped crown when not pruned into a different shape. The cut of the variety 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' should be rather reserved, as too much pruningcan also trigger alternation. It is better to prune the apple tree annually so as not to spur the tree on to vegetative growth with radical measures.
Tip: The location requirements and the growth of 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' are of course influenced by the selected rootstock, as with any noble variety. The properties mentioned above apply primarily to seedlings on their own roots. A suitable rootstock for 'Grahams Jubilee' is for example M9.
With its late blooming season, 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' cannot be pollinated by just any apple variety. Suitable pollinators are 'Laxtons Superb', 'Red Star Reindeer', 'Yellow Sweet Apple' and 'Spice Luiken'.
Apple Variety Graham's Jubilee Apple Harvest and Use
The best time of the apple year is definitely the harvest time: between mid-September and October the apples ripen and are ready to eat. The apples are considered unsuitable for cold storage and should ideally be processed fresh. The 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is particularly popular for baking, as its yellow flesh provides a beautiful color and stays firm even when cooking and baking. 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is also very popular as a compote or dried fruit. On the other hand, the apple variety is not used that often as a dessert apple, but with its sweet taste it has its charm here too.
Are you too diva-y for 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'? Or are you looking for an apple with a better shelf life? Then try the 'Ontario apple'. This is not only frost hardy and can be stored for a long time, but is also extremely tasty.