Idared
AppleIdared
Origin / History
Originated at the Idaho Experiment Station as a cross between Wagener and Jonathan (Jonathan x Wagener); introduced in 1942. Way calls it a relatively new variety and one of the few new varieties being planted extensively, and the second most important variety being planted in western New York. Zielinski calls it a promising variety for Oregon as a replacement for Jonathan.
Tree
Moderately vigorous, resembling Jonathan but more upright in growth (Zielinski). Trees medium sized, a good feature for growers searching for smaller trees (Way). Trees come into bearing at a young age and are annual, heavy croppers. Trees blossom early, even earlier than McIntosh, but the blossoms resist frost better than those of Delicious and most other varieties.
Young trees are especially susceptible to fire blight and were seriously damaged by the severe 1972 and 1974 attacks in western New York. Susceptible to mildew, which can be controlled by sulphur sprays up to the time of petal fall. Susceptible to flatlimb virus disease. Zielinski finds it not subject to Jonathan spot, internal browning, or scald; Way finds Jonathan spot can also be a problem.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large (Zielinski); large (Way).
Form: Round, somewhat variable in shape.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Rich yellow undercolor with a nearly solid, bright-red overcolor; solid bright red. Color attractive (Zielinski); fruit handsome (Way).
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Creamy-white, white and not yellow; firm, fine textured, juicy, tender, subacid, and aromatic. Quality "very good" (Zielinski). Way finds the eating quality at harvest "only fair", improving after several months in storage. Rated as good to excellent (Zielinski).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Late; harvested in October, with or a little later than Jonathan (Zielinski), and ripening late with Rome, hanging well after harvest maturity is attained (Way). Storage quality excellent (Zielinski). Holds until April (Zielinski). Way gives a storage life considerably longer than that of most varieties, including Rome and Delicious, often keeping in good condition until June in ordinary refrigerated storage. Way adds that large fruits picked overmature from young trees are subject to internal breakdown in storage.
Uses
Popular on both the fresh and processing markets (Way). Processing qualities only mediocre because the flesh is white and not yellow, which is more desirable for processing; despite this, large quantities are sold for processing in the hard class.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— Quentin B. Zielinski, Apple Varieties for Oregon (1964)Varieties Ripening in October
Idared†
This variety originated at the Idaho Experiment Station as a cross between Wagener and Jonathan and was introduced in 1942. Idared is harvested with or a little later than Jonathan. The tree is moderately vigorous and resembles Jonathan, but it is more upright in growth. The fruit is medium to large in size, round in form, and somewhat variable in shape. Fruit color is attractive with rich yellow undercolor and a nearly solid, bright-red overcolor. The flesh is creamy-white, firm, fine textured, juicy, tender, subacid, and aromatic, with very good quality. Idared has excellent storage quality and holds until April. Idared appears to be a promising variety for Oregon as a replacement for Jonathan.
IDARED is not subject to Jonathan spot, internal browning, or scald. Rated as good to excellent.
— Roger D. Way, Apple Varieties Grown in New York State (1979)
- Idared is the second most important variety being planted in western New York (Fig. 2). Introduced in Idaho in 1942 from a Jonathan x Wagener cross, it is a relatively new variety and is one of the few new varieties being planted extensively. Young Idared trees are especially susceptible to fire blight attack and were seriously damaged by the severe 1972 and 1974 fire blight attacks in western New York. Idared is susceptible to mildew which can be controlled by sulphur sprays up to the time of petal fall. It is also susceptible to flatlimb virus disease.
Idared trees are medium sized (see table for tree and fruit characteristics), a good feature for growers searching for smaller trees. Trees come into bearing at a young age and are annual, heavy croppers. Fruits ripen late with Rome and hang well after harvest maturity is attained. They are large, solid bright red, and handsome. The eating quality at harvest is only fair but improves after several months in storage. The storage life is considerably longer than that of most varieties, including Rome and Delicious. Idared often keeps in good condition until June in ordinary refrigerated storage. However, large Idared fruits picked overmature from young trees are subject to internal breakdown in storage. Jonathan spot can also be a problem.
Idared is popular on both the fresh and processing markets. Its processing qualities are only mediocre because the flesh is white and not yellow which is more desirable for processing. Despite this, large quantities of Idared are sold for processing in the hard class. Trees blossom early, even earlier than McIntosh, but the blossoms resist frost better than those of Delicious and most other varieties.