Apple Tree Rajka - Malus domestica

The 'Rajka' Apple Tree Apple Tree is a Czech-origin variety selected for its disease resistance, particularly to powdery mildew and scab, as well as for the flavour qualities and the size of its fruit. A moderately vigorous tree, it is firstly appreciated for its beautiful single white-pink blossom that brings joy to the garden in mid-spring. The flowers then develop into large apples with a yellow base epidermis largely covered by a bright red, highly decorative hue. The creamy-yellow flesh is crunchy, juicy, and very sweet, with a slightly tangy note. This apple can be enjoyed fresh but also in desserts and makes delicious juices. Partially self-fertile, it is preferable to plant this apple tree near another variety to ensure good flower fertilization.

The Apple Tree, like most of our temperate and Mediterranean climate fruit trees (Apricot, Raspberry, Pear...) belongs to the vast Rosaceae family. The genus Malus is divided between fruiting species, such as the Common Apple (Malus domestica, synonym Malus communis or Malus pumila), and ornamental species, the 'Flowering Crabapples', like the stunning Malus 'Liset'. Cultivated since Roman times and even earlier, the Apple Tree is a fruit tree native to the forests of Central Asia, now available in nearly 20,000 varieties.

The Malus domestica 'Rajka' is a cultivar from the experimental centre in Střížovice, Czech Republic. Developed in 1983, this variety is a cross between the 'Sampion' and the 'Katka'. The former was already a creation by the same Czech centre, blending the famous 'Golden Delicious' and 'Cox's Orange Pippin' to achieve scab resistance, while the latter, derived from crossing the 'Jolana' and 'Rubin', incorporates a scab resistance gene from the botanical species Malus floribunda 821. Needless to say, with such a lineage, the 'Rajka' is extremely resistant to apple scab and also less susceptible to powdery mildew, making it an attractive variety for enthusiasts and organic growers.
The tree exhibits moderate vigour, forming a spherical, well-branched crown, and can reach a mature height of 6 m with a spread of 4 m. The foliage is light to medium green, consisting of 8 cm-long, ovate leaves with pointed tips, finely dentate edges, and a slightly rough surface. Its blossoming, which occurs in April-May, has a romantic charm, with small, single white-pink flowers attracting bees and other pollinating insects. These can ensure the self-pollination, albeit imperfect, of the flowers. It is better to make sure to plant another variety nearby whose pollen will fertilise the blossom more effectively. The following varieties can fulfil this role: the 'Melrose', 'Goldstar', 'Rosana', 'Topaz', 'Ingrid Marie', 'Ontario', 'Roter Jonathan', 'Esopus Spitzenburg', or even the 'Idared'. Once fertilised, the flowers gradually develop into large fruits reaching 8 to 9 cm in diameter at maturity, i.e., by late September. The initially yellow epidermis turns a highly aesthetic and attractive  bright red. The greeny-yellow to creamy-yellow flesh is crunchy, even sweeter than that of the 'Elstar' variety, sometimes with a slight strawberry note inherited from one of its distant ancestors. A subtle tangy touch further enhances the flavour of this delicious, juicy, and aromatic fruit. The yield is generally high, further increasing its appeal.

The 'Rajka' Apple Tree combines many advantages: good hardiness, very low disease susceptibility, abundant yield, large tasty fruit that stores well, and even the aesthetic appeal of the apples. A bit bulky for small gardens, it more than earns its place in slightly larger plots, where you can plant other fruit trees alongside it. A White Vine Peach will provide round, orange-yellow fruits with sweet, tender flesh in September. This variety also has the advantage of being self-fertile. For later harvests in the year, you can rely on the Persimmon, a tree with glossy leaves and uniquely flavoured orange fruits. To extend the harvest season into summer, you could plant a Bigarreau Cherry 'Hedelfingen' which will delight you with its dark red, crack-resistant cherries, whose flesh is both firm and juicy—a true treat!