Puritan†
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Puritan†
Origin / History
Puritan† was originated by the Massachusetts Experiment Station as a cross of McIntosh and Red Astrachan. It was introduced commercially in 1953.
Tree
The tree is well branched and vigorous, with wide crotch angles. It is productive, with a biennial bearing tendency.
Fruit
Size: Medium in size.
Form: Round-conic, uniform, and regular.
Stem: Moderately short.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Thin and tender, attractive, bright red blushed color, uniformly well colored.
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Tender, fairly soft, white, crisp, subacid, and juicy when picked at proper maturity. General fruit quality for the season is good.
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Puritan† ripens with or a few days later than Early McIntosh at Corvallis. It ripens more slowly than Early McIntosh, hangs better on the tree, and keeps its quality longer than Early McIntosh.
Uses
Puritan† has promise for the early local apple market. Its color is attractive, more so than Early McIntosh. For those who prefer a distinctly acid-type apple like the Duchess, Puritan† is superior to Early McIntosh in Oregon.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Quentin B. Zielinski, Apple Varieties for Oregon (1964)Puritan†
This new variety was originated by the Massachusetts Experiment Station as a cross of McIntosh and Red Astrachan. Puritan was introduced commercially in 1953. The tree is well branched, vigorous, with wide crotch angles; productive, but biennial in bearing tendency. Fruit is medium in size, round-conic, uniform, regular, and with a moderately short stem. The skin is thin, tender, attractive, bright red blushed color, and uniformly well colored. The flesh is tender, fairly soft, white, crisp, subacid, and juicy when picked at proper maturity. The general fruit quality for this season is good. Puritan ripens with or only a few days later than Early McIntosh at Corvallis. This variety is superior to Early McIntosh in Oregon for those who prefer a distinctly acid-type apple like the Duchess. It ripens more slowly, hangs better on the tree, and keeps its quality longer than Early McIntosh. Puritan has promise for the early local apple market. Its color is attractive, more so than Early McIntosh.