Prima Apple Information
Prima is an apple variety that was developed by a collaborative program between Purdue University, Rutgers University, and the University of Illinois. The PRI in the name Prima comes from these three schools that worked together to develop and plant the first Prima apple trees in 1958. The name also represents the fact that this was the first variety to be made by the cooperative group. Some of the apples in Prima’s pedigree include Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, and Red Rome. Prima was bred to have good disease resistance, and it is highly resistant to scab. It has some resistance to cedar apple rust, fire blight, and mildew. This is a mid-season tree, flowering just a little before Golden Delicious. It produces apples with a superior, sweet flavor, white flesh, and a good texture. They are prized for eating fresh and for desserts and can be stored well into winter while maintaining a crisp texture.
How to Grow Prima Apple Trees
The best Prima apple growing conditions are similar to those for other apple trees. This variety is hardy through zone 4. It likes to have a lot of sun and can tolerate a range of soil types. Watering is only necessary until the roots get established and during dry periods in the growing season. For fruit to set, you will need at least one other apple variety in the nearby area. You can find Prima on dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock, which means that trees will grow to 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6 m.) or 12 to 16 feet (3.6 to 4.9 m.) tall. Make sure you give your new tree plenty of space to grow and spread. Disease is not a big issue with Prima, but you should still watch for signs of infections or pests to attack the problem and manage it early.
