Having your own apple tree in the garden is simply part of it for many people. Because the apple is one of the most popular fruits in Germany. On average, every German consumes about 20 kg per year. Everyone probably has their favorite variety. The apple variety 'Elstar' is one of the most popular varieties and can also be found again and again among the common apple varieties in the trade. Would you like to know what experiences other hobby gardeners have had with the Elstar apple? We have summarized a field report in the following article.
Apple variety 'Elstar'
The Elstar is a variety of cultivated apple and was bred in the Netherlands in 1955. His breeding parents form the two varieties Golden Delicious and Ingrid Marie. The variety made its popularity particularly clear in 2012, when it was named the most commonly grown apple variety of the year. But what is this apple? Get an overview based on the opinions and experiences of others.
experiences
notice: For reasons of better legibility, small spelling mistakes (spaces, transposed letters, etc.) in the quotations have been corrected. The exact sources are linked under the indication of the respective forum.
maintenance
The Elstar apple is primarily selected for commercial cultivation. To what extent it is also suitable for the hobby garden, you can find out from the following field reports.
"[… ] I think Elstar from the private garden is one of the best, but it's too time-consuming to look after, e.g. the thinning out […]
Source: www.forum.planten.de, user: DerFlo, 09.10.2014
"I've had a good to very good harvest from the Elstar for a number of years and I never spray. The tree is trimmed regularly though and this year there was some scab which doesn't bother me. […]"
Source: www.forum.garten-pur.de, user: Christina, 01/10/2011
“ [… ] Elstar simply has no advantages without plant protection and plantation-like cultivation on weakly growing substrates, but rather various disadvantages. However, it is not a bad or entirely unsuitable apple for the home garden. In addition, with such a strain, the question arises as to why you should grow something yourself, even though it is thrown at you en masse in every supermarket. I wouldn't worry about a pollinator. In every residential area there is always something somewhere, even ornamental apples can serve as pollinators.”
Source: www.forum.garten-pur.de, user: cydorian, 01/10/2011
“[… ] What we harvested was delicious, but not much so far. Otherwise we lose - as with the other varieties - the apples to the winder and the birds!"
Source: www.forum.garten-pur.de, user: uliginosa, 01/10/2011
“[…] I had big problems with Elstar. Again and again puny little apples and scab. Finally a good harvest in the last allotment garden year. You just have to stay on the ball and clean up everything bad and, above all, never leave mummies hanging. […]"
Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de, user: Plantine, 05/15/2010
“The literature says it needs a steady metabolism throughout the growing season. Water supply and nutrition of the tree are crucial requirements. If the soil (water supply, air balance, etc.) is not optimal and the weather is not playing along, it has to be cuddled and mothered. Anything but a variety that can be recommended for beginners throughout Germany. [… ] It is susceptible to scab and, in our country, also very susceptible to powdery mildew. No apples for the garden either, the farmers can only manage them with enough chemicals (a good 15 sprays a year, even more at Bioelstar)."
Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de, user: Yersenia, 05/15/2010
“[… ] However, it is considered a rather problematic variety by fruit growers because it is very susceptible to all sorts of things. That is why the use of chemicals is very high in these trees. And the hobby gardener, who likes the apple and then wants a tree for his garden, will find that without the use of harsh chemicals, no reasonable yield will be possible. […]"
Source: www.gartenforum.de, user: tree12, 04.01.2015
"[… ] I like Elstar, but among other things they have to be thinned out regularly. […]"
Source: www.forum.planten.de, user: DerFlo, 10/10/2014
"[… ] Pollen donors that are particularly suitable for 'Elstar' are: 'Cox Orange', 'Gloster', 'James Grieve', 'Mantet' and 'Melrose'"
Source: www.chefkoch.de, user: gwexhauskoch, 02/14/2005
fruit
When it comes to your own apple tree, of course, it depends on the fruit. What does Elstar taste like, what makes the fruit special and what are they best for? Take advantage of the experience of hobby gardeners.
"Of the apples that are often offered, I like Elstar the best! A really good apple, not too sweet and aromatic, nice and crunchy […]
Source: www.forum.garten-pur.de, user: uliginosa, 01/10/2011
"Elstar is very popular with its spicy-sweet taste, people like to buy it. That's why tree nurseries like to offer it as a tree […]
Source: www.gartenforum.de, user: tree12, 04.01.2015
“[… ] Elstar is my favorite apple. This year our tree (it is a standard […]) bore a lot for the second time. They are beautifully red, juicy, sweet and slightly sour. Just like I like an apple. I don't need to worry too much about storage. Every day at least four apples are gone. But I think that it also stores quite well. […]"
Source: www.krautundrueben.de, user: Bine, 11.10.2007
“[… ] The Elstar is similarly sweet, but has a little more acidity and is ripe a little earlier. This is also a very tasty table apple that you can also use to make compote.”
Source: www.hausgarten.net, user: Desperado, 04.04.2015
“Yes, it is very suitable for baking. If I can't get a Boskop, I'll be happy to use Elstar."
Source: www.chefkoch.de, user: Allegro, 05/15/2014
"Elstar is also very good, first sour and then super sweet."
Source: www.hausgarten.net, user: jumawi, 09/01/2012
"[… ] I've tried the Elstar from the organic farmer… unfortunately I don't like it that much. I find it almost as sweet and meaningless as the Golden Delicious it is derived from. Tastes are so different! […]"
Source: www.krautundrueben.de, user: Yarrow, 23.11.2007
"[… ] If you store Elstar in a cool, but "normal" place for a few weeks, they will continue to ripen and eventually become mealy like most apples… [… ]"
Source: www.krautundrueben.de, user: Unkrautaufesserin, 05/26/2010
robustness
The Elstar apple is often referred to as a susceptible variety. What experiences have other Elstar owners had? You can form your own opinion with the following quotes from home gardeners.
"[… ] Elstar is indeed a very tasty apple, but not necessarily suitable for the hobby gardener who wants to do as little as possible with chemicals. […]"
Source: www.gartenforum.de, user: tree12, 03.01.2015
“ [… ] Personally, I don’t think it’s that great in the home garden, it’s a more “modern” variety
and must be sprayed as it is susceptible to diseases such as storage rot, specks, strong! fire blight, mildew and scab. In addition, the apple is not self-fertile, which means that you need a second apple tree for a good harvest, or at least an apple tree in the neighborhood. […]"Source: www.hausgarten.net, user: Kappesbuur, 08.01.2018
“[… ] The Elstar is also a good variety to grow in the home garden. However, this is more of an autumn apple, which can also be stored relatively well, but it is not so easy to get it into the new year. The trunk is also a bit more susceptible to cancer, as I can now see with mine. […]"
Source: www.hausgarten.net, user: Desperado, 03/21/2016
“ I have the Elstar apple, which regularly has scabs on the leaves. […]"
Source: www.hausgarten.net, user: Melonenhätschler, 08/24/2014
"[… ] Elstar simply has no advantages without plant protection and plantation-like cultivation on weakly growing substrates, but rather various disadvantages. However, it is not a bad or entirely unsuitable apple for the home garden. In addition, with such a variety, the question arises as to why you should grow something yourself, even though it is thrown at you en masse in every supermarket.[… ]"
Source: www.forum.garten-pur.de, user: cydorian, 01/10/2011
harvest time
The Elstar can be found in stores all year round. But if you would like to have a tree of the popular variety in your garden yourself, you will wonder when Elstar apples will be harvested.
The Elstar is one of the early autumn apples. It is harvested from the beginning to the end of September and is then immediately ready for consumption. This makes it one of the fast-maturing varieties.
tip: When harvesting, make sure that the stalk stays on the apple. That way they can be stored better. If the stem cannot be removed from the branch properly, this is a sign of a lack of maturity. Do not try to force the apple from the tree. Ripe apples, including the stalk, can be easily removed from the branch.
storage
Although the Elstar unfolds its full flavor as soon as it is harvested, it can also be stored for a longer period of time. The later the apple is harvested, the longer it can be stored. With the right conditions, it can even be stored until the beginning of March. When storing, pay attention to the following:
- Airy, cool basement room
- Frost free
- High humidity
- Temperatures of 2-6 °C
- side by side in wooden crates or carton
- or spread loosely on paper or boards
- should not touch
- Check regularly for brown or rotten spots