Sunset, a well-liked apple variety in the style of Cox, is frequently recommended as a more manageable alternative to Cox's Orange Pippin. While its parentage remains unknown, it is highly likely to be a seedling of Cox. Sunset stands out for its superior disease resistance, robust cropping, and the unusual quality of being self-fertile, eliminating the need for a pollination partner, which is uncommon in apples.
Similar to Cox, Sunset is a mid-season cultivar, typically ready for harvesting around mid-September in northern Europe. Although it doesn't have an extended storage life, placing it in a refrigerator can preserve its freshness for about a month.
One horticultural challenge with Sunset is its tendency to produce small fruit, but this can be easily addressed by thinning the fruitlets during May and June.
Visually resembling Cox's Orange Pippin, Sunset often exhibits a slightly more yellow tone in its characteristic orange flush. However, the primary concern with Sunset lies in its variable flavor. While it shares aromatic qualities and good sweetness with Cox, its taste can be inconsistent, particularly in unfavorable growing seasons. Despite this, even in less favorable years, Sunset maintains its crisp and sweet attributes. Additionally, reports suggest that the flavor can noticeably differ between M9 and MM106 rootstocks, with M9 generally yielding a more favorable taste. Therefore, its reputation as a "Cox substitute" should be approached with caution.
Yet, evaluated on its individual merits, Sunset proves to be an excellent choice for northern European gardeners—delivering a crisp, sweet flavor, reliable crop yields, and ease of cultivation. In a favorable year, it may even offer a glimpse of the aromatic nuances reminiscent of Cox.
Similar to Cox, Sunset is a mid-season cultivar, typically ready for harvesting around mid-September in northern Europe. Although it doesn't have an extended storage life, placing it in a refrigerator can preserve its freshness for about a month.
One horticultural challenge with Sunset is its tendency to produce small fruit, but this can be easily addressed by thinning the fruitlets during May and June.
Visually resembling Cox's Orange Pippin, Sunset often exhibits a slightly more yellow tone in its characteristic orange flush. However, the primary concern with Sunset lies in its variable flavor. While it shares aromatic qualities and good sweetness with Cox, its taste can be inconsistent, particularly in unfavorable growing seasons. Despite this, even in less favorable years, Sunset maintains its crisp and sweet attributes. Additionally, reports suggest that the flavor can noticeably differ between M9 and MM106 rootstocks, with M9 generally yielding a more favorable taste. Therefore, its reputation as a "Cox substitute" should be approached with caution.
Yet, evaluated on its individual merits, Sunset proves to be an excellent choice for northern European gardeners—delivering a crisp, sweet flavor, reliable crop yields, and ease of cultivation. In a favorable year, it may even offer a glimpse of the aromatic nuances reminiscent of Cox.
Fruit Ready to Pick: September
Sunset, a well-liked apple variety in the style of Cox, is frequently recommended as a more manageable alternative to Cox's Orange Pippin. While its parentage remains unknown, it is highly likely to be a seedling of Cox. Sunset stands out for its superior disease resistance, robust cropping, and the unusual quality of being self-fertile, eliminating the need for a pollination partner, which is uncommon in apples.
Similar to Cox, Sunset is a mid-season cultivar, typically ready for harvesting around mid-September in northern Europe. Although it doesn't have an extended storage life, placing it in a refrigerator can preserve its freshness for about a month.
One horticultural challenge with Sunset is its tendency to produce small fruit, but this can be easily addressed by thinning the fruitlets during May and June.
Visually resembling Cox's Orange Pippin, Sunset often exhibits a slightly more yellow tone in its characteristic orange flush. However, the primary concern with Sunset lies in its variable flavor. While it shares aromatic qualities and good sweetness with Cox, its taste can be inconsistent, particularly in unfavorable growing seasons. Despite this, even in less favorable years, Sunset maintains its crisp and sweet attributes. Additionally, reports suggest that the flavor can noticeably differ between M9 and MM106 rootstocks, with M9 generally yielding a more favorable taste. Therefore, its reputation as a "Cox substitute" should be approached with caution.
Yet, evaluated on its individual merits, Sunset proves to be an excellent choice for northern European gardeners—delivering a crisp, sweet flavor, reliable crop yields, and ease of cultivation. In a favorable year, it may even offer a glimpse of the aromatic nuances reminiscent of Cox.
Similar to Cox, Sunset is a mid-season cultivar, typically ready for harvesting around mid-September in northern Europe. Although it doesn't have an extended storage life, placing it in a refrigerator can preserve its freshness for about a month.
One horticultural challenge with Sunset is its tendency to produce small fruit, but this can be easily addressed by thinning the fruitlets during May and June.
Visually resembling Cox's Orange Pippin, Sunset often exhibits a slightly more yellow tone in its characteristic orange flush. However, the primary concern with Sunset lies in its variable flavor. While it shares aromatic qualities and good sweetness with Cox, its taste can be inconsistent, particularly in unfavorable growing seasons. Despite this, even in less favorable years, Sunset maintains its crisp and sweet attributes. Additionally, reports suggest that the flavor can noticeably differ between M9 and MM106 rootstocks, with M9 generally yielding a more favorable taste. Therefore, its reputation as a "Cox substitute" should be approached with caution.
Yet, evaluated on its individual merits, Sunset proves to be an excellent choice for northern European gardeners—delivering a crisp, sweet flavor, reliable crop yields, and ease of cultivation. In a favorable year, it may even offer a glimpse of the aromatic nuances reminiscent of Cox.
Fruit Ready to Pick: September
Water Needs / Maintence
Moderate to High/ Moderate
Spaced Apart
3-4.5m (10-15ft)
Pollination Group
2
Overall Height
Semi dwarf 2.5 - 3.5m (8-12ft)
Species
Malus domestica
Root Stock
Fruits ready to be picked
September
