'Dabinett' is a cider apple variety with a bittersweet flavour, capable of producing a balanced, medium-dry cider on its own. The fruit is yellowish-green, variably flushed and striped with red and often with russet streaks. It is reasonably self-fertile but will fruit better with a pollinator such as ‘Golden Hornet’, ‘Brown’s Apple’ or ‘Comtesse de Paris’. A very late cropper (November), it nevertheless starts to crop at a relatively young age.
How to care for apple Dabinett:
Keep the base of the tree weed free, fertilise at the beginning of each year and water regularly during hot, dry spells. The main prune should be done in the winter as long as it isn't frosty or freezing. Take out the 3D’s (dead, dying and diseased wood) and create an open shape. Then reduce the leaders back by a third. Aim to create an airy structure without any crisscrossing branches. Summer prune in August by shortening any side shoots (or laterals) which are longer than 20cm back to three leaves. This will allow the sun to ripen the fruit and encourage more fruit buds. Make sure that the growth you’re cutting away feels firm to the touch.