Select Apples
SPA 440 (Nicola™)
Large in size. Taste is sweet with low acidity and high in aromatics. Skin color is 80% cherry-red blush over green/yellow ground. The white/cream flesh is very firm, crisp and juicy. The fruit is borne on very long thin stems.
| Maturity Season: | Mid to late season, after Ambrosia™. |
| Harvest Criteria: | Based on starch conversion, (3-4 on the Cornell general starch chart) and background color change. |
| Tree Description: | Low to moderately vigorous and with flat branch angles and some blind wood. Precocious and productive. |
| Bloom: | Very late season bloom, Gala, Fuji™ and/or Granny Smith™ or any other diploid in the same bloom timing. Late blooming crab varieties. |
| Production: | Moderate to good production. |
| Advantages: | Long storage and shelf life. Late bloom may be advantageous in frost-prone areas. Requires less thinning than Aurora Golden GalaTM. |
| Disadvantages: | Market response is unknown. Limited regional evaluation has been done on this variety. Some stem bowl russetting, more noticeable on first year fruit or after cool wet springs. |
| Storage: | Very long storage potential and long shelf life. |
| Comments: | SPA 440 (Nicola™) is a mid-late season high quality apple variety. Growers interested in planting this variety are urged to contact PICO for information. |