Dumelow's Seedling facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 'Dumelow's Seedling'
Cultivar	'Dumelow's Seedling'
Origin	England, before 1800

The Dumelow's Seedling is a special kind of apple. It started growing in England around the year 1800. This apple is known by many other names, like 'Wellington' or 'Beauty'. It's one of the last apples to be picked each year, usually in October. It also stays fresh for a very long time, even into the next year! While it's not the best apple to eat raw, it's excellent for cooking. In the early 1900s, it was one of the most important cooking apples in England.

History of the Dumelow Apple

This apple variety was first grown by a person named Richard Dumeller (or Dumelow). He lived near a place called Shackerstone in Leicestershire, England. The very first tree was growing there by at least 1800.

The apple was first shown to people in 1818. Back then, it was called 'Dumelow's Crab'. By 1820, it was known as 'Wellington'. This name probably came from a town called Wellington, Shropshire, where it was also grown. Some people later mistakenly thought it was named after the famous Duke of Wellington.

The 'Dumelow's Seedling' apple came from another apple called 'Northern Greening'. It was crossed with an unknown apple type. The 'Dumelow's Seedling' is also the parent of many other apple varieties. These include 'Newton Wonder' and 'Lane's Prince Albert'. This apple has more than 50 different names! Some of these are 'Dumelow's Crab', 'Wellington', and 'Belle de Vennes'.

What Does a Dumelow Apple Look Like?

The 'Dumelow's Seedling' apple is a medium-sized apple. It has a somewhat flat, round shape. It is usually about 52 millimeters (about 2 inches) tall and 67 millimeters (about 2.6 inches) wide.

Appearance and Taste

These apples are a yellowish-white color. They often have red spots or streaks on their skin. The skin itself is quite tough. Inside, the fruit is very firm. It has a crisp, juicy flesh that is a light yellow color.

This apple is perfect for cooking. It works well in many different dishes. However, if you want to eat an apple fresh, other red apples like 'Baldwin' are usually better. In the early 1900s, the 'Dumelow's Seedling' was thought to be one of the best cooking apples in England.

When to Harvest Dumelow Apples

'Dumelow's Seedling' apple trees usually flower in the middle of May. The apples are ready to be picked in early October. This apple is one of the last ones of the season to be harvested.

The trees often produce a lot of apples every other year. These apples store very well. They can keep their great flavor in storage until April. Sometimes, they even last until May, when the first rhubarb and gooseberries are ready to be picked in the United Kingdom.

The Dumelow Apple Tree

The young branches of the 'Dumelow' apple tree have speckles. The tree is also strong and can resist a disease called canker. It grows well and has an upright, round shape. Its branches tend to droop a little. The bark of the tree is a light brownish-red color with some olive green. The leaves are quite large and wide.