Wealthy Apple Seedling (Bundle of 5)

These are seedlings, so every tree is its own new apple. What's below describes the parent, Wealthy, and we don't have long-term data from our own seedlings yet.

Overview

These are open-pollinated seedlings of Wealthy, the old Minnesota apple. Apples don't come true from seed, so each of these is a brand new variety with Wealthy as the mother and an unknown father.

Origin and History

Wealthy is a seedling itself. According to S.A. Beach's The Apples of New York (1905), Peter Gideon raised it at Excelsior, Minnesota from seed he got around 1860 from Albert Emerson of Bangor, Maine. Gideon named it after his wife, Wealthy. DNA work cited by Montana State University shows it's actually a cross of Duchess of Oldenburg and Jonathan. Gideon also raised several more apples from Wealthy seed, and Beach notes that one of them came from Wealthy seed that "had a chance to be crossed with the Cherry Crab and also the Oldenburg," which is exactly the kind of gamble you're taking with these.

Fruit and Uses

Wealthy itself is a smaller red apple that's best for processing. It makes great sauce and apple butter, and a Wealthy pie here was a big hit. It stores well and bears reliably. Montana State University says it's one of the most widely planted apples in Montana's heritage orchards, from the Bitterroot and Missoula valleys to the Flathead and east of the Divide. Your seedlings could land anywhere compared to that, better or worse.

Growth Habit and Spacing

These are small seedlings, under 6 inches, sold in bundles of five. On their own roots they'll grow into full size trees, so if you grow them out, plan on 18 to 20 feet between them.

Pollination

Apples need a pollenizer, and each of these seedlings is genetically different, so they can pollenize each other once they bloom. Wealthy blooms mid to late season.

Cold Hardiness

Wealthy is hardy to -50F. Beach said it was "particularly valuable for cold climates because the tree is very hardy," and St. Lawrence Nurseries rates it -50F "with occasional winter injury." Seedlings will vary, but with a mother like that, they're a good bet for cold country.