Opal (apple)

OPAL® Brand apple(UEB 32642 cv.) was produced by crossing Golden Delicious with Topaz Community Plant Variety Rights EU 16749 from 30. 01. 2006 United States patent PP 15,963 from 13. 09. 2005 as UEB 3264/2.

Origin: Institute of Experimental Botany Prague (Strizovice), CZ

Tree: Diploid, moderately vigorous, spreading, branching dense, fruiting spurs medium to short

Blossom: Mid-season, slightly before Golden Delicious, flowers heavily with slight alternance

Picking time: Early October, together with Golden Delicious, only slight fruit thinning appears to be required, eating maturity 3 weeks after picking.

Productivity: Similar to Golden Delicious

Keeping quality: In natural storage until April

Fruit: Medium, round-conical, height:width ratio 0.90, ribbing very weak, stem medium, russet in stem cavity, can radiate to side of fruit, skin color yellow to yellow-orange, flesh yellow, firm, fine to medium grained, medium juicy, full flavored, sweet (15.2 % Brix), mild-subacid, very good

Diseases: Resistant to scab (Vf), tolerant to powdery mildew, bitter pit does not occur

Comment: Requires rather an intensive growing system and environmental conditions similar to Golden Delicious, prefers sunny, dry, wine growing areas with irrigation.