Here in Sebastopol, AKA West Sonoma County, CA, we grow a lot of Rome Beauties since they were one of about 6 varieties that were planted starting in about 1915. In my orchard I have 12 Rome Beauties out of 80 ea. 100+ year old trees. Unfortunately, they are not as strong and robust as other varieties and are slowly being taken out (but not after grafting on root suckers so a new tree will grow using the hardy roots). The hardiest of my old trees are the Gravenstein, especially the Red Gravenstein, I have Golden Delicious, Winter Banana, Yellow Bellflower and Rhode Island Greening trees still doing well and producing nice crops. I also have 120 newer trees I've grafted and planted since 2015 when we moved into this house.
Carole
"Save Our Orchards" project, Slow Food Russian River
Here in Sebastopol, AKA West Sonoma County, CA, we grow a lot of Rome Beauties since they were one of about 6 varieties that were planted starting in about 1915. In my orchard I have 12 Rome Beauties out of 80 ea. 100+ year old trees. Unfortunately, they are not as strong and robust as other varieties and are slowly being taken out (but not after grafting on root suckers so a new tree will grow using the hardy roots). The hardiest of my old trees are the Gravenstein, especially the Red Gravenstein, I have Golden Delicious, Winter Banana, Yellow Bellflower and Rhode Island Greening trees still doing well and producing nice crops. I also have 120 newer trees I've grafted and planted since 2015 when we moved into this house.
Carole
"Save Our Orchards" project, Slow Food Russian River