Rainier
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Rainier Apple
Origin and History
The Rainier variety originated in an orchard in Washington, with the original 54 trees planted approximately 30 years prior to 1914. The source of the original scions and nursery stock could not be determined despite thorough investigation. Prior to W. W. Scott's ownership, the fruit had been marketed under various names. When Scott acquired the orchard, the previous owner had begun grafting Spitzenburg scions onto the trees, intending a complete replacement. However, Scott elected to preserve the original trees, recognizing that the Spitzenburg grafts would require several years to produce fruit. The variety was named "Rainier" as being suggestive of its geographic locality.
Tree
The tree is a vigorous grower with a spreading habit, capable of bearing heavy crops. Twigs are quite long and slender. Bark is light in color with only a few dots.
Fruit
Form and Surface: The fruit is oblong, slightly inclined toward a conical shape. The blossom end exhibits five distinct points, characteristic of the Delicious type.
Skin: Yellowish-green underneath with an over-coloring of dark red. Slightly streaked.
Flesh: Yellowish with practically no grain; better described as "buttery" in texture.
Flavor and Quality: Flavor much resembles the Delicious, but with notably superior cold storage characteristics. The eating quality improves rather than deteriorates in storage.
Season and Storage
Common Storage: October to February (4 months)
Cold Storage: October to October (12 months full year)
Exceptional Storage Characteristics
The Rainier exhibits extraordinary cold storage capability. Government pomologists identified it as "the one apple which does not show some defect from cold storage." Scald is unknown; decay is practically nonexistent. Fruit picked in October 1912 was displayed at the banquet of the International Refrigerator Congress in Chicago in September 1913 in perfect condition — demonstrating the variety's ability to maintain quality over an extended storage period. The eating quality appears to improve in storage rather than decline.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Rainier
Historical.—The original 54 trees were planted some 30 years ago by a man now dead and, after a very thorough investigation, no information was found that would lead to a knowledge of the source of the original scions or nursery stock. Up to the time the present owner, W. W. Scott, came into possession of the orchard the fruit was marketed under various names. The gentleman owning the orchard at that time had decided to graft over the trees to Spitzenburgs, and when Mr. Scott moved on to the place he found that the Spitzenburg scions had been grafted in. When it came time to prune Mr. Scott was undecided whether to leave the Spitzenburg scions or the original trees but, owing to the fact that it would take several years for the scions to come into bearing and that Mr. Scott was no longer a young man, he at last made up his mind to leave the original trees and take a chance on the fruit. The name "Rainier" was selected as being suggestive of the locality.
Tree.—The tree is a vigorous grower and is inclined to be spreading, therefore, capable of bearing a heavy crop. Twigs quite long and slender. Bark light and showing a few dots.
Fruit.—The fruit is oblong and slightly inclined to conical. Flesh, yellowish with practically no grain. Probably better described as "buttery." Skin, yellowish green underneath with an over-coloring of dark red. Slightly streaked. Quality, much resembling the Delicious, but a much better cold storage apple. Fruit picked during October, 1912, was placed on the table at the banquet of the International Refrigerator Congress, Chicago, in September of 1913, in perfect condition. The Government pomologists say it is the one apple which does not show some defect from cold storage. Scald is unknown, decay practically so. Eating quality seems to improve rather than deteriorate. Should also say in regard to the shape of the fruit that it shows the five distinct points at the blossom end which is so distinctive of the Delicious.
Season.—In common storage from October to February. In cold storage from October to October.