Alkemene is a German Cox's Orange cross that brings together sweet and tart flavors in a crisp, conical fruit that ripens in September. This frost-hardy cultivar thrives in zones 4 through 9 and grows to a mature height of 14 feet, with an upright growth habit that suits smaller gardens perfectly. Its annual heavy crops and excellent resistance to scab make it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking both productivity and disease resilience.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
168in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Alkemene earned its reputation at the WSU Mt. Vernon fruit testing station for combining robust disease resistance with an upright form that doesn't demand sprawling space. The red-orange conical fruit arrives in generous annual crops with a flavor that balances sweetness and tartness in a way that feels fresh and complex. This Cox's Orange descendant proves that you don't sacrifice flavor for reliability.
As a dessert apple, Alkemene shines fresh off the tree, where its balanced sweet-tart profile is most apparent. The fruit's reliable annual production and disease resistance also make it practical for home preserves, cider, and general kitchen use where both flavor and consistency matter.
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Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in early spring or fall, positioning the graft union (if present) slightly above soil level. Space trees at least 15 to 20 feet apart to allow for the upright canopy and mature size. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base to retain moisture during establishment.
Alkemene fruit ripens in September and shows a distinctive red-orange conical shape when ready to harvest. Pick when the fruit separates easily from the branch with a gentle twist, indicating full maturity. Harvest the entire crop once ripe to encourage consistent annual bearing the following year.
Alkemene's naturally upright growth habit requires minimal shaping, but annual pruning encourages strong structure and fruit production. In late winter or early spring, remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and thin interior growth to allow light penetration. Keep the tree open in the center and maintain the upright form; avoid aggressive heading that disrupts the natural branching pattern.
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“Alkemene originated in Germany as a cross with Cox's Orange, one of the world's most celebrated apple varieties. Its exceptional performance at the WSU Mt. Vernon fruit testing station earned it recognition among serious fruit growers, establishing its reputation for the combination of superior flavor, consistent heavy bearing, and disease resistance that German breeders had sought to achieve.”