Dolgo

Fruit Description

Size: Small

Shape: Round conical to oblong conical. Name means "long" in Russian and typically fruit is ellongated widening from apex to basin.

Skin: Red to deep purple red, occassionally yellow ground color. May have bloom.

Stalk (stem) and Cavity: Long, slender stem. Cavity is obtuse.

Basin: Flat, obtuse, calyx often protruding.

Calyx (Eye): Erect, convergent, open sometimes closed.

Core (Vertical): Calyx tube connical to funnel shaped. Carpels ovate. Core lines clasping.

Carpels and Axial Sac (Transverse): Usually five sometimes six. Axile open. Irregular.

Flesh: Cream to yellow.

Flavor: Tart, juicy, acidic, can become mealy.

Dolgo in hand

Additional Notes

Synonyms: Malus baccata, Improved Red Siberian, Snow White Crab

First Recorded: Uknown, brought to US circa. 1897

Origin: Russia via South Dakota

Bloom time: Mid

Harvest: Mid

Use: Culinary, cider, jelly.

Storage: Poor

Disease: Moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Tree: vigorous, heavy bearer, very hardy.

Parentage: Seedling of Malus baccata, "Siberian Crab"

Frequency in Montana Orchards based on DNA testing: Low, but commonly planted as a modern ornamental.

History

Selected as the best seedling from several one year old Siberian Crab seedlings collected by Niels E. Hansen on a trip to Russian in 1897. Released in 1917, the Dolgo was prized as a rootstock for its cold hardiness and often planted as a shelterbelt tree in the Great Plains. Prized for its bright red fruit and ability to "jelly" easily and produce tasty pink cider it was also popular for kitchen use.