Apple Bismarck
Malus domestica Bismarck is a traditional cooking apple renowned for its large, round fruit with green-yellow skin often flushed with red. Its pale, firm flesh cooks down to a smooth, richly flavoured purée, making it ideal for sauces, baking, and preserves. Ripening in early to mid-Autumn, Bismarck has long been a reliable favourite in New Zealand and Australian heritage orchards.
Well suited to cottage, heritage, and edible gardens where a strong culinary performer is desired.
Plant in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Requires a compatible pollinator such as Granny Smith or Cox’s Orange Pippin for best fruit set.
Mature size: A moderately vigorous tree, typically reaching 3–4 metres high and wide as a free-standing tree, or smaller when grafted onto dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstock.
Trimming: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to maintain an open, spreading structure. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to allow good light penetration and airflow, which helps with fruit quality and reduces disease risk.
Deadheading: Not applicable for apple trees.
Fertilising: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Mulch annually with compost or well-rotted manure around the base (avoiding contact with the trunk) to enrich the soil and conserve moisture.
Watering: Water deeply during dry periods, especially while the tree is establishing and during fruit development. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root problems.
Pest Control: Monitor for codling moth, aphids, and apple sawfly. Use pheromone traps for moth control and treat aphid infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Keep the area beneath the tree clean to discourage pests.
Disease Management: 'Bismarck' is generally hardy but may be prone to apple scab and powdery mildew in damp conditions. Look for leaf spotting, fruit blemishes, or white powdery growth on new shoots. Improve airflow with proper pruning, clear fallen debris, and apply fungicide if necessary.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
