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Winter Banana Apple on MM.111 (Spring 2025)


A unique low chill heirloom for warm-winter climates. Also known as Banana, Flory.

This tree is very vigorous and precocious with an upright but somewhat pendulous habit. Winter Banana has a reputation for being an excellent pollenizer, and it is partially self-fertile. Its stand-out quality is, however, an exceptionally low chill requirement (under 400 hours) coupled with heirloom-quality flavor. This tree is an excellent choice for warm-winter climates such as coastal California and the southern states. It is somewhat susceptible to all major apple diseases. Crops should be thinned for optimal quality and to maintain annual bearing

The late-season apple is large and round, with a beautiful pale yellow skin that is blushed a delicate pink and speckled with pale lenticels. It is sometimes seamed from the calyx to the stem cavity. The flesh is pale yellow, firm, and somewhat coarse, with a mild and aromatic flavor. The famous banana perfume will be noticeable only if the fruit is fully ripened. In 1925, Ulysses P. Hendrick described the unique aromatics as “a suggestion of musk exclusively the property of this apple.” While the flavor is too mild to appeal to most bakers, the apple will store well for about two months and it is well liked by cider makers. It should, however, be handled carefully, as the thin skin bruises easily.

This variety first appeared on the farm of David Flory in Indiana in the 1870s, and it was introduced to commercial markets in 1890. Its parentage is unknown.

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This tree is very vigorous and precocious with an upright but somewhat pendulous habit. Winter Banana has a reputation for being an excellent pollenizer, and it is partially self-fertile. Its stand-out quality is, however, an exceptionally low chill requirement (under 400 hours) coupled with heirloom-quality flavor. This tree is an excellent choice for warm-winter climates such as coastal California and the southern states. It is somewhat susceptible to all major apple diseases. Crops should be thinned for optimal quality and to maintain annual bearing

The late-season apple is large and round, with a beautiful pale yellow skin that is blushed a delicate pink and speckled with pale lenticels. It is sometimes seamed from the calyx to the stem cavity. The flesh is pale yellow, firm, and somewhat coarse, with a mild and aromatic flavor. The famous banana perfume will be noticeable only if the fruit is fully ripened. In 1925, Ulysses P. Hendrick described the unique aromatics as “a suggestion of musk exclusively the property of this apple.” While the flavor is too mild to appeal to most bakers, the apple will store well for about two months and it is well liked by cider makers. It should, however, be handled carefully, as the thin skin bruises easily.

This variety first appeared on the farm of David Flory in Indiana in the 1870s, and it was introduced to commercial markets in 1890. Its parentage is unknown.


The Fruit

Fruit Type

Category: Apple
Subcategory: Heirloom, Cold-Hardy, Hot-Climate

Fruit Uses & Storage

Uses: fresh eating, cider
Storage duration: one to three months (approximate, depending on storage conditions)

Fruit Appearance

Skin color: yellow
Flesh color: yellow

Fruit Origins

Parentage: unknown
Origin: Indiana
Introduced in: 1890
Introduced by: David Flory

The Environment

Calendar & Geography

USDA zones: 4 - 8
Chill hours: Not yet determined
Ripening date: Oct 20 (approximate, in New York State) + 35 days after McIntosh

Tree Height & Spacing

Rootstock: MM.111 Rootstock
Rootstock size class: Semi-Standard (85% of Standard)
Tree spacing (natural spread of tree): 24'
Good for wildlife planting? N

Diseases & Pests

Cedar-Apple Rust: Susceptible
Fireblight: Susceptible
Apple Scab: Susceptible
Powdery Mildew: Susceptible

Pollination

Pollination Factors

Bloom group: 4
Is it self-fertile? Partial
Is it fertile? Y
Ploidy: Diploid
Rootstock size class: Semi-Standard (85% of Standard)

Pollination Partners

This table shows the first few results from a full search for pollenizers of Winter Banana Apple on MM.111. Please see our Pollenizer Search to run other queries and read how the application uses various factors. Also read more about fruit tree pollination.

Tree Ships Currently in Stock
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Enterprise Apple on B.118 2025 36
CrimsonCrisp™ Apple on B.118 2025 27
Galarina™ X-4982 CV. Apple on B.118 2025 26
King David Apple on MM.111 2025 25
Golden Russet Apple on B.118 2025 13
Dabinett Apple on B.118 2025 10
Cortland Apple on B.118 2025 10
Pixie Crunch™ Apple on B.118 2025 9
Golden Hornet Apple on B.118 2025 8

See all pollination matches for Winter Banana Apple on MM.111






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