Malus domestica 'Mutsu'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAY-lus doh-MESS-tik-a
- Description
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The Mutsu apple, also called Crispin, is a cultivar between Golden Delicious and Indo, introduced from Japan. It is a triploid, self-sterile, and poor at pollinating other apple trees. Potential pollinators are Golden Delicious, Jonathon, or Red Rome.
It is a late season producer, during late September into October. It is excellent for both fresh eating or in salads and all kinds of baking or cooking. The apple keeps well for several months in a cool crisper.
Soil type needed is average to loamy but it responds to enriched soil with better production. Apple trees do best with a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8.
Fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for a few hours each day. In summary, air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree. A healthy tree is better able to resist or respond to diseases and insects as well.
This cultivar is highly susceptible to Blister Spot.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- domestica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators during spring blooms.
- Edibility:
- This medium to large-sized fruit is aromatic, juicy, sweet, spicy and a little tart. Great for eating fresh and it can also be kept for up to 3 months if stored well. Mutsu apple can be cooked because it holds its shape well during cooking. Ripens in early October.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Description:
- The apple ripens in late September into October. It's blush color depends on the sun it gets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The white flower blooms in clusters of five flat petals, in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaf is a bright or darker green on its top surface with a lighter silver gray underleaf surface. It is 1 to 3 inches long. One side may have very fine hairs on it.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
