Diadem

Diadem produces very large, mid-season, golden apples with some russet and pronounced lenticels. The fruit is sweet with excellent texture and a mild flowery flavor. Diadem stores fairly well. The tree, blooming mid-season, is precocious, very heavy bearing, somewhat biennial in bearing habit, and of high to very high vigor. The tree appears resistant to scab, fairly resistant to rust, and tolerant of scab and fire blight. Summer rots have not been observed on fruit under conventional, low spray, and organic programs. It is suitable for both organic and conventional production.

Pros: Large fruit, heavy crops, generally attractive, easy to grow; although it is mild flavored (I call it honey and flowers flavor) Diadem is very well liked by some of our customers and employees

Cons: Large size, sometimes rough or very rough appearance, sometimes displays very unattractive skin checking, mild or bland flavor if overcropped, upright, vigorous growth can be somewhat difficult to manage although it settles down with age

Recommendation: Backyard growers desiring disease resistance; specialty growers who can tolerate appearance issues and can manage crop level to manage flavor

Origin: Goldrush was used as a parent in the breeding program as a source of scab resistance and high quality. Diadem was selected from a lot of about 100 seedlings and was a standout for disease resistance and tree health when unsprayed. Diadem is a star name.