Malus domestica 'ŠAMPION' apple tree - late

Šampion is a great variety of late apple bred in the Czech Republic in 1977 as a cross between Golden Delicious and Cox Orange Pippin. It produces semi-large to large, rounded fruit of sweet taste and with a lot of juice. Its strong skin is yellow with red cheeks on sunny parts, and the flesh is creamy white or very pale yellow and crunchy.

Šampion is a very productive, moderately growing apple tree which sets fruit at an early age. It can be picked from mid October and eaten fresh, processed or stored. The best taste ripens after a few weeks of storing – usually in late November and early December. Šampion stores well until end February or March under good conditions.

Being self-sterile it needs another pollinator for heavy crop, such as Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Golden Reinette, Granny Smith, Melrose, Opal, Pinova, Rajka, Rubinola, Spartan, Starking, and Topaz. Pruning can be done in frost-free periods of winter but Šampion is not a large tree and may benefit from being left to its own devices. Hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5) and suitable for elevated regions.

Last update 27-10-2014