Sunrise Magic Apple is a modern cultivar born from the prestigious WSU apple breeding program, specifically a cross between 'Splendour' and 'Gala' apples. This medium-large fruit arrives dressed in a striking orange-red to pinkish-red blush that covers 70-90% of its skin, making it instantly recognizable in the orchard or at the table. Hardy in zones 5-9 and thriving in full sun with moderate water and slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.0), it combines the visual appeal and productivity that made it Washington State's first released apple from their breeding program.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The 'WA 2' cultivar earned its way out of the WSU breeding labs because it simply outperforms. Large, noticeable lenticels give the skin a distinctive speckled character, and its round shape sits noticeably larger than its 'Gala' parent, delivering real substance to the harvest. The color intensity alone, that warm orange-red blush dominating most of the surface, signals quality before you ever taste it, and the combination of high-quality flavor, appearance, and reliable productivity explains why researchers championed it from Washington to the wider world.
As a fresh eating apple bred for quality taste and appearance, Sunrise Magic excels straight off the tree. Its size and visual appeal make it equally suited to the table, lunch box, or market stand, where those distinctive lenticels and warm coloring stand out among other varieties.
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“Sunrise Magic Apple represents a deliberate effort by the Washington State University apple breeding program to develop superior cultivars for commercial and home growers. Created by crossing 'Splendour' and 'Gala' apples, the resulting 'WA 2' cultivar became significant enough to be released as the first apple variety from WSU's rigorous breeding work. This wasn't luck; it was the product of careful selection for the traits that matter most: appearance that catches the eye, flavor that satisfies the palate, and the consistent productivity that makes an apple worth planting.”