Compatability of apple pollinators

Good guy

Here's a question for the fruit-growing experts:
I intend to plant an apple tree this autumn/winter and I only have room for one; the variety I have chosen is a Group 3. I already have two crab apples in the garden; one is Group 5 and the other is Group 2.
Will these crabs adequately pollinate the Group 3 tree?

AJ · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:14 am Post subject:

Can I ask a question after GC gets sorted, otherwise I'll forget again. Been meaning to ask this for a while, and it came up in conversation yesterday, once again. Looking for an apple tree that produce lovely sweet, juicy, soft old fashioned red apples, that will survive in a windy site.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:05 am Post subject:

this subject is always puzzling maybe this will help
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/applepollinationgroups
http://www.fruitandnut.ie/applevarieties.html
As for good guy try Red jonagold maybe google it for more info.
A. Its irish
B. Picked in October
C. Does well in this country
Theyre the positives but i bet their are negatives as well lets see what others have to say.

Good guy · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 4:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, Greengage. The tree I want to grow is Group 3 and according to the RHS info you sent me, my Group 2 Red Sentinel should do the trick.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:00 pm Post subject:

sure if we can help we will and if we dont know we will point you in the right direction.

Sive · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:17 pm Post subject:

AJ...maybe try Seed Savers ?
http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/
I'm sure they could advise you.

Good guy · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject:

Fruit and Nut, as quoted above by Greengage, has good info on all kinds of fruit.

Sive · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:15 am Post subject:

There's a very good article all about growing pears in Saturday's Irish Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/gardens/peerless-pears-1.1935061
...and it recommends Fruit and Nut too.

Greengage · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:05 am Post subject:

Why should you bother buying the times when you can get all the info from here for free.

Sive · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject:

My better half likes an old-fashioned paper he can hold and read..... and anyway, there's more than fruits and nuts in it ( sometimes ) !!

AJ · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tips guys.

James Kilkelly

Sorry, folks, missed this so I am a bit late to the party.

I actually have a piece written on this very subject, here............ How to Plant an Apple Tree in Ireland + Variety Selection.

Here is the rough grouping of the the five apple varieties pollination groups.

Group 1
Crimson Gravenstein
Christmas Pearmain
Devonshire Quarrenden
Egremont Russet
George Cave
George Neal
Irish Peach
Lord Lambourne Rev. W. Wilks
Ribston Pippin - Triploid
St Edmunds Russet
Vistabella

Group 2
Alkmene
Ambassy
Arthur Turner
Ashmead's Kernel
Beauty of Bath
Beauty of Blackmoor
Blenheim Orange - Triploid
Bramley's Seedling - Triploid
Bramshot Rectory
Brownlees Russet
Charles Ross
Chivers Delight
Costard
Cox's Orange Pippin
Crispin - Triploid
Crowngold
Discovery
Epicure
Fiesta
Gala/Royal Gala
Golden Russet
Greensleeves
Grenadier
Granny Smith
Holstein - Triploid
Howgate Wonder
Idared
Isle of Wight Pippin
James Grieve
Joybells
Jonagold/Jonagored
Jupiter - Triploid
Katy
Kidd's Orange Red
Laxtons Superb
Lord Derby
Malling Kent
Norfolk Royal
Princess
Pixie
Red Devil
Rosemary Russet
Ross Non Pareil
Sturmer Pippin
Sunset
Spartan
Tydeman's Late Orange
Tydeman's Early
Winter Gem
Worcester Pearmain

Group 3
Cornish Gillyflower
Claygate Pearmain
Ellison's Orange
Falstaff & Red Falstaff
Golden Delicious
Golden Nobel
Hambledon Deux Ans
Ilse of Wight Pippin
Lane's Prince Albert
Monarch
Roundway
Orleans Reinette
Peasgood's Nonsuch
Pitmaston Pineapple
Red Devil
Laxton's Superb
Magnum Bonum
William Crump
Winter Gem
Winter Banana

Group 4
Annie Elizabeth
American Mother
Cornish Aromatic
Herrings Pippin
D'Arcy Spice
Gloster 69
Merton Beauty
Beauty of Hampshire Newton Wonder
Winston

Group 5
Edward VII
Court Pendu Plat

DAH89 · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:05 pm Post subject:

If you say you only have room for one apple tree, have you seen these.
http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=43
Your profile says Donegal so I would be careful in what apple you order making sure it is has high resistance to diseases like scab, mildew and canker. Also beware for triploid apples (there are not many) which usually yield less than the normal diploid varieties. As well as having your trees on the right rootstock for your site and conditions. So there is no simple picking of a tree. I would recommend the irishseedsaver apples as these are mainly Irish heritage apples which were developed for irish conditions.
I believe the pruning of apple trees is the most important part in the first 4 years, I help out in a couple of orchards as a volunteer and have seen a lot of apple trees not pruned in the first few years causing a lot of problems in later years.