
Gala
Gala is a clonally propagated apple cultivar with a mild and sweet flavor. In 2018, it surpassed Red Delicious as the apple cultivar with the highest production in the United States, according to the US Apple Association. It was the first time in over 50 years that any cultivar was produced more th…
Where do Gala apple trees grow?
The gala apple can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9. View Map The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity.
Where to buy Gala apples?
Since the apple variety is one of the most popular in the United States, you can find Gala apples at a U.S. grocery store year-round. Otherwise, you can order them online. Gala apples are a great apple treat to grow in most areas of the United States.
When do Gala apples Bloom?
Gala Apple trees in warmer areas like North Carolina tend to bloom in April, while those in northern areas bloom in May. Expect your tree to start blossoming and growing yummy Gala Apples about 3 years after planting! You may wish to remove a portion of the young apples so that the remaining apples grow larger and sweeter with extra attention.
What is the history of the Gala apple?
History. The first Gala apple tree was one of many seedlings resulting from a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red planted in New Zealand in the 1930s by orchardist J.H. Kidd. Donald W. McKenzie, an employee of Stark Bros Nursery, obtained a US plant patent for the cultivar on October 15, 1974.

Where are most Gala apples grown?
The Gala apple is described as crisp and sweet. It is a sweet apple and a little less acidic, a little less dense–a perfect choice for galettes or even tarts. The three major apple-growing regions in the U.S. are the States of Washington, New York, and Michigan.
Where do Gala apples come from?
A cross between Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious, the Gala originated in New Zealand. Brought to the United States in the early 1970s, it is now one of the country's most popular apple varieties.
Where are Royal Gala apples grown?
Royal Gala apples are grown in all six Australian states. We try to source locally grown apples (from around the Bacchus Marsh region), and if local supply is low, we source from other Victorian locations such as the Goulburn Valley, Harcourt, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland.
Are Gala apples imported?
Apples belong to the family of Rosaceae and are praised as miracle foods, in fact they are one of the top 10 healthy foods.
Why are Gala apples so good?
It has a primarily sweet flavor with well-balanced fruitiness. It has mild flavor complexity that makes it an excellent snack. Gala apples are descended from Kidd's Orange Red and the Red Delicious and have the best of both apples.
What is the tastiest apple?
But which apples are the best tasting apples? Some of the best tasting apple varieties are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Ambrosia, and Cox's Orange Pippin. These varieties are most flavorful when picked at peak ripeness and eaten within a few months of harvest.
What is the sweetest apple?
1. Fuji Apple. Fuji Apples are incredibly sweet and are quite often the sweetest apple widely available in grocery stores. Fuji apples have an aromatic floral sweetness that almost tastes like honey.
What is the difference between Gala and Honeycrisp apples?
Gala apples can be bi-colored at once. Now, when it comes to flavor, both of these apples are very sweet. The main difference is that Honeycrisp apples are considerably juicier and also have a slight tartness to them. Honeycrisp apples also have a much more crispy texture and are generally less dense.
Which is better Fuji or Gala apples?
Fuji apple is a good choice for cooking especially you can make apple pie with them, while Gala apple is not as good of an option for cooking. Its sweet flavor makes it perfect for fruit salads. If you are looking for an apple to cook with, Fuji apple is good.
What is the season for Gala apples?
Gala apples are grown from May through September in the northern hemisphere, but, like most apples, are available almost all year through the use of cold storage and controlled atmosphere storage.
Where are Honeycrisp apples grown?
Created to flourish in cooler northern climates like their native Minnesota, Honeycrisp apples are now grown in Wisconsin, Michigan, New England and upstate New York, as well as places as far off as New Zealand during the off seasons. When stored in the refrigerator, they can stay fresh and juicy for up to six months.
Do Gala apples grow in California?
Harvest in California varies according to variety. In the Central Valley, Gala and a few other varieties are harvested in July and later varieties such as Fuji are not harvested until late September or October.
What is the Gala apple a hybrid of?
A cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd's orange red apples, the Gala boasts a sweet flavor with hints of vanilla and has a floral aroma.
Are Gala apples genetically modified?
It was brought to the United States in the early 1970s and is now one of the country's most popular apples.” Gala Apple trees were bred through the natural cross-pollination of existing varieties. Gala Apples are not genetically-modified (GMO).
Is Gala a natural apple?
Gala is an apple cultivar with a sweet, mild flavour, a crisp but not hard texture, and a striped or mottled orange or reddish appearance. Like most named apples, it is clonally propagated. It originates from New Zealand in the 1930s.
What is the difference between Gala and Honeycrisp apples?
Gala apples can be bi-colored at once. Now, when it comes to flavor, both of these apples are very sweet. The main difference is that Honeycrisp apples are considerably juicier and also have a slight tartness to them. Honeycrisp apples also have a much more crispy texture and are generally less dense.
How tall does a Gala apple tree grow?
The amount of garden space you’ll need for the tree depends on which version you pick. The standard Gala grows to 25 feet (8.5 m.) tall with a similar spread, the semi-dwarf is about half that tall, while a dwarf stays about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide.
What is the best climate for a Gala apple tree?
Like every other plant, the Gala apple grows best when its particular needs are met. The ideal Gala apple tree climate is not-too-warm and not-too cool. It thrives in the middle zones, USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8.
How much sun do Gala apples need?
When planting a Gala apple tree, find a site that gets full, direct sun. It needs at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day. Excellent drainage is equally important so provide it with moist, well-drained soil. Note that the tree is self-pollinating, so you don’t need more than one. Two apple trees are always better though.
Can you keep Gala apples in the fall?
There aren’t many fruit trees that can keep you in food most of the year. The Gala apple fruit tree is one of them. Famed for their crispness, Gala apples can be harvested most of the autumn and can be stored for months while retaining an excellent texture. If you are thinking of growing a Gala apple tree, who can blame you? Read on for tips to make Gala apple tree care as easy as possible.
Where are Galas apples from?
As I talked about as the top of this post, Galas apple are from New Zealand. There is an ample supply of them that are imported to the United States.
How many states grow Gala apples?
I was able to locate an apple orchard that grows Gala apples in 42 states. The exceptions were either too far north like Alaska or too hot like Florida and Hawaii.
What was the name of the apple that J.H. Kidd crossed with?
In 1930s New Zealand, J.H Kidd cross together a Golden Delicious apple and a Kidd's Orange Red. The Gala apple was one of the results of this cross.
Which state has the most apples?
California grown Galas are the first to hit the market to kick off the season. California while being tops in lots of types of tree fruit aren't nearly as big a player in the apple industry. You soon find the California Galas replaced by the Washington Galas. Washington in the number 1 apple producing state in the country.
When is the best time to buy Gala apples?
Remember, September is the month for the Gala apple. Best flavor, best crunch all year. In the summer, buy New Zealand over US grown, but now they still won't be as good as a September Gala.
Which state produces the most apples?
California while being tops in lots of types of tree fruit aren't nearly as big a player in the apple industry. You soon find the California Galas replaced by the Washington Galas. Washington in the number 1 apple producing state in the country.
Can you keep Galas in cold storage?
Here is where the problem lies. There are enough American grown Galas in cold storage to last us almost to the start of the new season. It's not until the heart of summer until you find Galas from New Zealand in stores, maybe a little earlier for organic. Those have been in cold storage for months, so again the quality is not at peak. These ones will seem to be better than the older domestic Galas they just replaced.
When were Gala apples introduced?
Donald McKenzie introduced Gala apples to the United States in the 1970s. He patented the variety for the Stark Brothers Nursery.
Who is the Gala apple?
The Gala apple is popular and widely grown. James Hutton Kidd was a prominent New Zealand horticulturist. He crossed other varieties to develop Gala in the 1930s. As a young man, he studied agriculture and soon realized that growing apples was his passion.
What is the number one selling apple in the US?
The apple is following in the footsteps of its popular parent varieties Orange Pippin and Red Delicious. In 2018, the Gala apple surpassed the classic Red Delicious in popularity. It’s currently the number one selling apple in the United States.
What is the difference between red Delicious and Gala apples?
Cross the two, and the Gala apple is the perfect sweet multi-purpose variety. Galas are known for their sweet flavor. They tend to be crisp apples, especially when fresh. Galas feature white flesh, low acidity, and are not very tart.
What is the most popular apple in the United States?
Gala Apples. Gala apples are the most popular apple variety in the United States. They defeated Red Delicious for the title of America’s favorite apple in 2018. It’s for good reason: they’re versatile, delicious, and available almost year-round.
How to tell if a Gala apple is ripe?
This variety is known for its mottled red blush. You can tell if Gala apples are ripe when the green skin underneath turns a golden yellow. Since the apple variety is one of the most popular in the United States, you can find Gala apples at a U.S. grocery store year-round. Otherwise, you can order them online.
What is the royal Gala apple?
The Royal Gala apple is just another variety of the Gala cultivar. This strain has redder skin than the original and is more popular in the U.K. and New Zealand. If you like Gala apples, you’re in royal company. The Royal Gala variety got its name when Queen Elizabeth II declared her liking for the variety.
How big do apple trees get?
Mature Size. The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity. The semi-dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15' with a spread of 12–15'. The dwarf variety grows to a height of about 10' with a spread of about 10'.
Is apple tree drought tolerant?
The early harvest apple grows well in moist, well-drained soil. It is not drought-tolerant.
Where are Gala apples grown?
The juicy flesh is excellent for eating fresh and for cooked recipes. More Galas are grown in the USA than any other type of apple!
Who bred the Gala Apple?
The Gala Apple was bred by orchardist J.H. Kidd in 1930’s New Zealand. The variety is a cross between the popular Golden Delicious variety and one of Kidd’s own types, Kidd’s Orange Red. Since the original tree was discovered, orchardists the world over have planted Gala trees, even propagating the best branches (called “sports”) to produce their own improved strains of Gala with desirable genetic mutations.
What Do Gala Apples Taste Like?
Gala Apples have a sweet, pear-like flavor, juicy fine flesh, and thin, blush peel. Their sweet yet crisp taste is one of the main reasons for their soaring popularity. Here are some descriptions of what perfectly-ripe gala apples taste like:
How many apples are in a pound of gala apples?
There are generally 3 apples in a pound of gala apples. Gala apples cost about $2 per pound when purchased at the grocery store. Bulk discounts are available when lots of apples are purchased at once. A large ten-pound bag of Galas tends to contain between 25-30 individual apples, and may cost $10-$15 at a retailer.
How much does a Royal Gala apple weigh?
A typical gala apple weighs around 6 ounces or 0.35 pounds (150 grams).
What is the best apple for royalty?
Gala Apples: A World-Favourite Apple Variety Fit For Royalty. Gala is a wildly popular variety of apple, and for good reason! There are many uses for this excellent all-round type of apple. Gala apples have a crisp texture, sweet flavour, and classic beautiful yellow/orange skin with red striping.
What kind of apple tree pollinates with a gala tree?
The apple blossoms on your gala apple tree are best pollinated with pollen from a different type of apple tree. Good pollinator varieties for gala trees include golden delicious, red delicious, honeycrisp, granny smith, and fuji apples. A neighbour may already have an apple (or crabapple) tree that flowers at the same time as your new gala tree.
Where are Gala apples grown?
Grown in both the southern and northern hemisphere, Gala Apples are available year-round. Current Facts. A cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red, the Gala apple is currently one of the most extensively grown apples in the world.
What color are Gala apples?
Description/Taste. Gala apples are covered in a thin yellow to orange skin, highlighted with pink to red stripes that vary in hue dependent upon the apples maturity. Their dense flesh is creamy yellow and crisp, offering a mildly sweet flavor and flora aroma.
What is the most widely grown apple in the world?
A cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red, the Gala apple is currently one of the most extensively grown apples in the world. It has an impressive lineage, being related as well to both the Delicious and Cox Orange Pippin varieties. It is also parent to several varieties such as the Jazz, Royal Gala and Pacific Rose.
What is the nutritional value of Gala apples?
Nutritional Value. Gala apples are a great snacking fruit as they are low in calories, high in water content and offer a fair amount of vitamins A, C and B.
What app do you use to share Gala Apples?
People have shared Gala Apples using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android .
What to do with diced gala?
Add diced gala to fruit salsas and chutneys. Slice and add to burgers, paninis and crostinis. Their sweet flavor becomes milder when cooked making them perfect in baked preparations when paired with stronger flavored apples such a Granny Smith, Arkansas Black, Pippin and Mutsu.
