Raised in London in the 1940’s, but not named until 1970. A good early dessert variety that deserves wider appreciation.
Merton Knave Apple tree – Season:
Late August and throughout September. Best eaten from the tree.
Merton Knave - appearance:
A small and brightly coloured apple with a good raspberry red blush.
Merton Knave apple trees – flavour:
Sweet, pleasantly juicy, some can detect a hint of strawberry. Very pleasurable to eat.
Uses:
An early dessert apple, also for decoration. Could be juiced.
Cropping & Growth
Medium vigour and very heavy cropper. Largely trouble free and suitable for planting everywhere.
Merton Knave - Pollination: ‘C’ pollination group, use varieties with the same or adjacent groups to pollinate successfully. Here are some suggested varieties:
Charles Ross
James Grieve
Fortune
Laxtons Epicure
Jonathan
Arthur Turner
Laxtons Superb
George Cave
Tree sizes for Merton Knave apple trees:
M27 is a miniature stock, ideal for very small gardens, pots on the patio etc. Grows to around 180cm’s. Good hearty soil is preferred.
M9 is classed as dwarfing and a good intermediate stock. Matures to 200cm’s plus with a similar spread. M9 is heavy cropping and promotes larger fruits, but needs permanent staking and good soil.
M26 stock Is classed as semi-dwarfing. Does well on poorer soil. Reaches 300cm’s+ with the same spread.
MM106 is vigorous and the best choice for where a larger ‘orchard sized’ tree is required. Grows 4m+ with the same spread and suitable for most soils.
