At A Glance |
name: |
Alexander |
origin: |
Ukraine |
date: |
ca 1700 |
parentage: |
unknown |
harvest: |
late September |
season: |
late September-early October |
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Historical
"Introduced into England from Russia in 1817. The exact date of the introduction of this variety into America is not
known. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society made several importations of European varieties which were distributed
among the members of the society. Mr. Manning exhibited what was supposed to be Alexander before the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society at its meeting on September 18, 1830. Whether this was Alexander or not, the shipment of varieties
of which Alexander was one had evidently been made prior to that date.
"It has been widely disseminated and is now pretty well known in the apple growing districts from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. Thus far it has not been grown to any considerable extent in New York state but at the present time its
cultivation is on the increase.
Tree
"Tree
large to medium, vigorous to moderately vigorous with long, stout braches. Form upright spreading to roundish,
open and somewhat inclined to droop after bearing heavy crops. Twigs short, curved, stout with large terminal
buds; internodes medium. Bark brown mingled with olive-green lightly streaked with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent
near tips. Lenticels scattering, medium in size, oval, raised. Buds medium in size, plump, obtuse, free,
slightly pubescent.
Fruit
"Fruit
large, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish conic to slightly oblate conic, regular or approaching broadly
angular, symmetrical. Stem medium to rather short, moderately thick. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep,
broad, symmetrical, occasionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, conspicuous, outspreading russet rays. Calyx
medium to large, usually open; lobes medium to short, rather narrow, acute. Basin rather small, deep, narrow to
nearly medium in width, abrupt, nearly smooth, symmetrical.
"Skin
moderately thick, tough, smooth, glossy, somewhat waxy, greenish or pale yellow deepening to orange-yellow in the
sun, often entirely overspread with lively red or handsomely striped and splashed with bright carmine. Dots
inconspicuous, small, scattering. Prevailing effect red or striped.
"Calyx
tube variable, long to short, wide to medium, conical to funnel-shaped. Stamens median to basal.
"Core
small, usually axile; cells often not uniformly developed, closed or very slightly open; core line slightly clasping. Carpels
elliptical to slightly ovate, emarginate. Seeds medium in size, wide, short, rather plump, obtuse to acute.
"Flesh
nearly white with faint yellow tinge, firm, coarse, moderately crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, fair to good.
"Season
September and October or early November.”
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