I have heirloom apples for the south (and elsewhere for most) Black Twig, Grimes Golden, Aunt Rachel, Joseph, Old Fashion Winesap and one unknown variety. It is very difficult to grow pretty apples here due to the hot , humid climate and the insects and fungus disease pressure, from a long warm season( 8 to 9 months likely freeze safe ) that the pest thrive in. Organic is not easy or inexpensive here, so I try, but most of my apples are less than pretty or don't make it without bad spots or damage. Most of these were selected for their natural resistance to cedar apple rust and a history of doing well in the south. I use stockings over the developing fruit, and spray organic controls, copper soap, pyrethrin, dormant oil and neem. I think I would have to spray them with pesticides weekly to control organically, here, all the problems and that is too expensive and time consuming. When I used chemical non organic approved pesticides, 35 years ago, I was able to have lots of pretty apples, but they practically glowed in the dark from the Carbaryl. malathion, and fungicides, I used in those days. I used a six to eight sprays control program back then. I had to be careful of not killing the honey bees or myself with the chemicals dripping off the trees. Very early morning (at sunrise on cool mornings) to spray, as to prevent killing my honey bees, during the warm springs and summer applications. I do enjoy the wonderful organic apples I manage to harvest that are bug and rot free. The deer love them all!
I have a lot of jars that were my mom's. Maybe even some were her mom's...
I need to plant more next year
