Apples ‘Fuji’ was developed in the late 1930s in Fujisaki, Japan at Tohoku Research Station – hence the name. It is a cross between Red Delicious and old Virginia Ralls Genet. The fruit is large, speckled red-yellow in color and has a very long shelf life. Apples ‘Fuji’ entered the market in 1962, and has become a best-selling apple in Japan and one of the most popular apple varieties worldwide.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Fuji Apples are a well-known variety known for their crisp texture, long storage life, and sweet flavor. They are a Japanese hybrid resulting from a cross between Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Genet. Growing Fuji in your garden provides you with delicious, sweet-tasting apples that are great for eating fresh or making cider. They have beautiful red skin, medium size, and large yields that ripen late in the season and can be pollinated by Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Red Delicious, and Lodi varieties.
Fuji apple trees are known for their wide spread, reaching 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 meters) in width. The fruits are sweet, containing 10 to 18 percent sugar, perfect for eating fresh or using in pies and sauce. The tree blooms with beautiful creamy white to pink flowers that emit a sweet fragrance, attracting bees and other pollinators. The apples themselves are round, medium to large in size, with yellowish-green skin often tinged with pink or red, and sometimes displaying attractive stripes. The tree also features glossy oval leaves with rounded teeth and pointed brown leaf buds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Apples ‘Fuji’ prefers sunlight and grows well in full sun. Sufficient sunlight for about 8 hours a day is recommended. Sunlight will have a great impact on flower colors, while insufficient sunlight will lead to lighter colors. If there is strong light in summer, apples ‘Fuji’ needs proper shady conditions to avoid high-temperature injuries. Too much light may cause leaf curling or spots on stems and leaves.
Temperature
Widely distributed in the northern temperate zone, apples ‘Fuji’ is generally very adaptable to the distinct seasons, including hot summers and cold winters. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 ℃. Apples ‘Fuji’ can’t tolerate extremely high temperatures in summer; temperatures above 32 ℃ will affect its growth. The tree is drought-tolerant and doesn’t require much water, hence, avoid over-watering it.
Watering
Watering is important and required within two days after transplanting. The soil should be completely saturated so that the roots can get sufficient water supply. If apples ‘Fuji’ is planted in a courtyard, water it until water accumulates on the soil surface without seepage for an extended time. If it is planted in a flower pot, fill the tray under the flower pot with water to let the water slowly penetrate into the soil. About ten days after transplanting, water apples ‘Fuji’ again to promote growth.
Watering thereafter should be based on external climate and soil conditions; there is no need to water when the soil is still moist. Water should be provided when the soil is relatively dry, but don’t water so much that it accumulates around the tree.
Watering once every 3-5 days in winter is generally advised. With sufficient sunlight in summer, apples ‘Fuji’ should be watered once every 1-2 days. Be careful not to provide too much water each time. The best irrigation time is in the morning or on sunny days. This timing can promote water absorption and root respiration in the case of transpiration during the day. Avoid watering on rainy days, as this can easily cause root rot.
Soil
Apples ‘Fuji’ can adapt to various soils. The most suitable soil for growth is slightly acidic or neutral, humus-rich, loose, well-drained, and sandy. The best pH range for the soil is 6-8. During cultivation, the soil can be mixed with garden soil, peat soil, and organic fertilizer in a proportion of 6:3:1.
Fertilizing
Apples ‘Fuji’ prefers fertilizer, and soil fertility will affect its growth and reproduction. It is best to apply sufficient base fertilizer composed mostly of organic fertilizer as well as some quick-acting fertilizer. Fertilizer application in fall produces the best results; it promotes rooting and accumulation of more nutrients for the following year’s growth. Additionally, there are two other recommended fertilization times: before spring buds and when the fruit begins to grow. Dig out a small soil ditch 30 cm around the trunk, and then add the fertilizer evenly, water thoroughly, and loosen the soil properly after drying.
Planting Instructions
It is generally easiest to plant apples ‘Fuji’ by buying seedlings rather than sowing seeds. The recommended planting time is before budding in early spring or after leaves fall in early winter. Before planting, thoroughly check whether the roots of the tree are healthy. If rotten roots are found, they need to be quickly cut and disinfected with carbendazim.
When planted in a garden, the pit depth should be about 40 cm and the diameter about 60 cm. If the root is large, the size of the pit needs to be twice as big as the root ball. Before transplanting, apply some rotten organic fertilizer as the base fertilizer. In severe cold zones, pay attention to keeping apples ‘Fuji’ warm while transplanting. Add a cover such as wood chips or mulch at the base of the plant to ensure it overwinters safely.
Pruning
Pruning is very important for apples ‘Fuji’ and is usually performed between late fall after its leaves drop and early spring before it sprouts. Pruning not only keeps branches scattered and maintains the tree’s shape, but also ensures ventilation and sunlight transmission, which is conducive to its growth. Promptly cut off dense, overlapping, thin, and infected branches, or prune out a suitable and aesthetic shape based on the viewing environment. When blooming, you can also cut off some branches and cut away withered flowers to promote budding and the blossoming of new branches.
When pruning and cutting longer branches, leave enough new buds for branches to grow better afterward.
Propagation
If there is a seedling growing at the root, you can cut the seedling from the plant before budding in spring or after leaves fall in autumn and winter. It is best to cut off the roots of the seedling and transplant them into new pots or dug pits.
Transplanting
Apples ‘Fuji’ thrives when transplanted during the heart of spring, benefiting from milder temperatures. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Avoid overly windy spots. Ensure the roots remain moist and cool to promote healthy establishment.
III. Uses and Benefits
This variety of Malus domestica ‘Fuji’ is known for its deliciously sweet and crisp fruits, making it a favorite for fresh eating or baking.
