Are Yellow Delicious Apple Trees Self Pollinating?

Yellow, or "Golden," delicious apples are a summer staple. They are refreshing, so it's good to have them ready in your backyard during the warm season. If you're planning to have them, you may wonder whether they are self-pollinating or need a pollinator. To answer your question, we have researched this subject thoroughly. 

Yellow Delicious apples are self-pollinating, but it is still highly recommended to cross-pollinate them with other varieties to yield larger and more apples. You can cross-pollinate them with other apple trees, such as Winter Bananas and Flowering Crab Apples.

Growing Yellow Delicious apple trees can be challenging at first, but you'd be successful if you give it enough care and attention. Keep reading below to learn more about how to grow these trees, which produce crisp and refreshing golden apples. 

'Golden' Yellow Delicious: A Tasty Apple Variety 

Wicker tray with ripe yellow apples on light

Golden Delicious apple trees, also known as Yellow Delicious apple trees, got their name from the fruit that the tree bears. Golden delicious apples have a crisp golden color, making them look mouth-watering, especially during summer. 

These apples are typically harvested during the middle of summer, but before that, the apple trees will have blush flowers in the spring. These trees thrive best in USDA zones 4 through 9 and tend to be hardy and relatively low-maintenance. 

The quality of the apples depends on multiple environmental factors and the way in which they are grown. The best apples can be eaten fresh or used as a culinary staple.

Should You Cross-Pollinate Yellow Delicious With Other Varieties?

Although Yellow Delicious apple trees can technically self-pollinate, you can have a richer yield if you cross-pollinate them with other varieties. Here is how you can cross-pollinate apple trees.

Hand Pollination

Use a cotton swab and place it in an apple blossom. Then, manually place it in the king bloom. Swab as many flowers as you can to increase their effectiveness. Make sure that the temperature is between 60F-70F and that you hand-pollinate within 72 hours of the first bloom. 

Golden Delicious varieties are one of the easiest plants to cross-pollinate with other varieties, so you won't have a problem pairing them with other apple trees.

Where Can You Find Yellow Delicious Apple Trees?

Yellow Delicious Trees are typically found in areas that experience a generally warm climate. This is because they need full sunlight to produce fruit.  You won't be able to plant them in frosty locations since their roots will not be able to tolerate them. 

Even if you attempt to plant them in cold locations and keep them in a greenhouse, the apples will most likely not be as crisp and flavorful, unlike golden delicious apples grown under ideal conditions. 

If you live in a warm area, you can easily purchase them in markets and transfer them onto your soil. Make sure to take care of it well so you can enjoy the yields during the harvest season. 

How To Take Care Of Yellow Delicious Apples

Man puts yellow ripe golden apple to a wooden box of yellow at the orchard farm, Are Yellow Delicious Apple Trees Self Pollinating?

As mentioned, the taste of your apples will depend on how well the tree was tended. Although they are relatively easy to grow, there are still some things you need to do to see that first sprout of flower, which will later become a golden, tasty apple. 

These instructions should be followed closely. After cultivating the right conditions, you will only need to set up an effective maintenance routine, so they don't get harmed by external conditions. 

Here is how you can take care of your Yellow Delicious apple trees. 

Give Them Enough Sunlight

Yellow Apples Growing on a Tree in the Wild Directed with sunlight

The tree should be planted in an area with access to full sunlight. As standard practice, young trees need at least six hours of full sunlight. This is because the leaves will need to trap the sunlight to get enough energy to make the apples. 

If the tree doesn't get enough sunlight, the leaves won't be able to get enough energy to create the fruits. The tree needs glucose, which is only possible to create if they have enough energy.

The tree may continue to survive, but it will be barren and won't yield anything during the harvest season. 

Keep The Tree Irrigated

A drip line is an efficient way to keep the soil moist and watered enough to keep the roots healthy. Make sure the tree has mulch so it won't get dry and the weeds won't be able to steal nutrients. 

If the tree is young, you will need to water it twice a week, but be careful not to overwater it and damage the roots. Since they are typically planted in sunny areas, you may need to increase the volume of water during higher temperatures. 

Once the tree has matured, you can water it at least once a week. Don't water the tree trunk directly since the moisture can encourage mold growth. Instead, spray directly inside the drip line. 

Do An Occasional Light Trim

During the dormant (or winter) season, take the opportunity to trim overgrown leaves and dead branches. Doing this would encourage growth so your tree would be healthier during the next growing season. 

As standard practice, remove at least 20% of the growth to prevent them from interrupting the tree's overall growth. Weaker branches should be cut up to the nearest good branch. 

It is also highly recommended to disinfect the burned branches with bleach (only 10%) and water solution.

Protect it From Pests

Pests are a universal problem--especially for fruit trees. Fortunately, they can be managed if you improve your maintenance routine. 

You can protect pests from infesting your apple tree by doing the following:

  • Trim, prune, and disinfect the tree with a 10% bleach solution. 
  • Remove fallen and rotten fruit since it could attract pests.
  • Trash any dirt, such as plastic and paper, around the tree.
  • Build a wire mesh guard around the tree.
  • Place a tarp under the tree to prevent Curculios from infesting. Try spraying phosmet, but be careful using this chemical. 
  • Eliminate apple maggot flies.

You can eliminate apple maggot flies by setting up a trap. Use this video to create your own:

Plant In Well-Drained Soil

Apple trees prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The soil should ideally have a pH level range of 5.8 to 7.0. They thrive best in loamy soil since they tend to hold moisture well. 

The soil should also be well-aerated so the roots won't rot. Make sure that you fertilize it with organic matter to keep it healthy. 

When Can You Plant Yellow Delicious Apples?

Seedling Plants Apple Tree And Mentha Plant In Pots In Iron Garden Trolley In Garden Nursery Plants In Sunny Day In Sum

The Yellow Delicious tree is ideally planted during the spring, but you can technically plant them any time of the year as long as the weather conditions are good. 

When Can You Harvest The Yellow Delicious Apples?

Golden Delicious apples become fully ripe in the summer, typically from the end of September to October. However, if you intend to store them in the fridge first, you can harvest the apples while they are still a little unripe or still show a hint of green. 

How To Make Yellow Delicious Apples Last Longer

fresh autumn yellow apples on wooden table

You can lengthen the lifespan of these apples if you store them in a cellar and kept in a box. They can last up to five months if you keep their environment completely dark, cool, and dry. 

Can You Cook Yellow Delicious Apples?

Like any apple variety, Yellow Delicious apples can be cooked or used for apple pies, jams, or tarts. Golden Delicious apple pies are known to have a sweeter taste that many bakers prefer. 

Final Thoughts

Man puts yellow ripe golden apple to a wooden box of yellow at the orchard farm

Golden Delicious apple trees are a self-pollinating variety; you can grow one of your own if you do the work. Once they yield large and refreshing yellow apples, you'll be able to enjoy them during the harvest season--and you'll see that tending to them was worth it!

If you found this article informative, check out our other posts:

What Is Eating My Apple Tree Bark [And How To Prevent It]

Are Crabapple Trees Deer Resistant? [With Tips On How To Protect Them]

 

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