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probably a "real" apple tree. Most apple varieties are created by grafting a branch of an existing variety onto a new tree. Thats why despite genetic variation
by acomjean 11y ago
probably a "real" apple tree. Most apple varieties are created by grafting a branch of an existing variety onto a new tree. Thats why despite genetic variation, they taste pretty much the same.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting
- redblacktree 11y agoIt's not my experience that apple varieties in the grocery taste "pretty much the same." Maybe you meant something else? Apple trees are grafted because the best-tasting varietals don't form the most hardy root system. You put the good-tasting apple tree on top and the hardy strain on the bottom (to become the roots)
- acomjean 11y agoEach variety tastes the same (a golden delicious apple tastes like other golden delicious apples). The grafting does that among other things "Maintain consistency". A hardy root system that you mention is one. I started looking into it because my dad has a giant apple tree thats much bigger than the ones I've seen in an orchard, but the apples taste surprisingly bitter. I guess another reason they like grafting is the trees stay smaller and its easier to pick the fruit.