Alright, so you wanna know about cross pollinators for them Honeycrisp apple trees, huh? Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t as simple as plantin’ a seed and watchin’ it grow. These Honeycrisp trees, they’re kinda picky, ya know? They need a little help from their friends, other apple trees, to make them good, juicy apples.
What’s this cross-pollinatin’ all about?
See, these Honeycrisp trees, they can’t do it all by themselves. They need pollen from another apple tree to make fruit. It’s like, they need a partner, a helper. That’s what we call cross-pollinatin’. It’s like a little dance the trees do, sharin’ pollen so they can both make apples.
So, which trees are good helpers for Honeycrisp?
Well, there’s a whole bunch of ’em. Some of the good ones, they say, are Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Pink Lady. Red Delicious, too. These trees, they flower ’bout the same time as Honeycrisp, so their pollen can get to each other. It’s all about timin’, ya see. If one tree flowers too early or too late, the pollen ain’t gonna do no good.
- Gala: A good one, they say. Sweet and juicy apples.
- McIntosh: Another good helper. Been around a long time, these trees have.
- Fuji: These make them big, crunchy apples. They help out the Honeycrisp just fine.
- Golden Delicious: These yellow apples, they’re good helpers too.
- Pink Lady: Pretty apples, and good for pollinatin’, too.
- Red Delicious: Them classic red apples. They work well with Honeycrisp.
Plantin’ the right trees together
Now, you can’t just stick any tree next to a Honeycrisp and expect it to work. You gotta make sure they’re close enough, so the bees and the wind can carry the pollen. And like I said, they gotta flower ’bout the same time. Plantin’ ’em too far apart, well, that ain’t gonna do ya no good.
Some folks, they say Haralred is a real good one for Honeycrisp, ‘specially if you’re up north where it gets cold. That Haralred, it’s a tough tree, and it flowers right when the Honeycrisp needs it.
Why bother with cross-pollinatin’?
Well, if you want a good crop of apples, you gotta have it. Without it, you might not get any apples at all, or maybe just a few little ones, not worth the bother. Cross-pollinatin’, it makes the trees stronger and healthier, and you get more apples, bigger apples, tastier apples.
Thinkin’ about them SweeTango apples?
Now, them SweeTango apples, they’re a bit different. They’re kinda like cousins to the Honeycrisp, made by crossin’ Honeycrisp with another apple. But that don’t mean you can use ’em for pollinatin’. They’re what they call a “managed variety,” which means they’re kinda special, and they don’t always work for pollinatin’ other trees.
So, what’s the bottom line?
If you want them Honeycrisp apples, you gotta get ’em some help. Plant some Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or Red Delicious trees nearby. Make sure they flower ’bout the same time. And if you’re up north, think about that Haralred. Do that, and you’ll be pickin’ baskets full of juicy Honeycrisp apples come harvest time.
Just remember, plantin’ apple trees ain’t just about stickin’ ’em in the ground. You gotta think about what they need, who they need, to make them good and fruitful. It’s like a little community, all them trees helpin’ each other out.
And don’t go thinkin’ that just because an apple tastes good or is related, it’ll be a good pollinator. Like them SweeTango ones, or some others they made by mixin’ and matchin’ different apples. They might be good eatin’, but they ain’t always good helpers.
One more thing, some folks say Honeycrisp is self-fertile, meanin’ they can pollinate themselves some. But don’t count on it. You still want to plant them other trees, just to be sure you get a good crop. Better safe than sorry, I always say.
Tags: [Honeycrisp Apple Trees, Cross-Pollination, Pollinators, Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Haralred, Apple Orchards, Fruit Trees, Gardening, Fruit Set, Harvest]
