Friday, September 8, 2023

Lobo *

A squat, broad apple with a red blush over green

Lobo's red streaky blush over spring green suggests a squat, hulking McIntosh, though the blush is more orange and is decorated with many tan lenticels of varying sizes. ¶ 

These have partially open calyxes and almost no ribbing. Mine are pretty large.

Biting in finds dense, fine-grained snow-white flesh. It's got a great crunch. The apple is balanced with mild vinous flavors.

Lurking in the background are some generic berry notes and spice, adding the the McIntosh impression.  The chew is substantial and Mac-like, too. 

(Actually, my first sample was less good and I'd written, "not super juicy, but is flavorful enough." This is why I like to have multiple tries!)

There is also a whiff of pear.

I would classify this as an early Mac type, though the real thing is just around the corner.

Indeed, the National Fruit Collection (UK) and others identify Lobo as an open-pollinated McIntosh ("McIntosh x unknown").

The breeder was none other than William Macoun, the Ontario horticulturalist known for his promotion of McIntosh in the 19th century.

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