SANSA

Synonym: Morioka 42

Parentage: Gala x Akane

Color: Cherry red on yellow-green

Harvest: Early to mid-August; multiple pickings

Fruit: Small to medium, conic, often somewhat lopsided, regular to slightly angular. Cavity is medium width and depth and the stem is medium length. Basin is deep and medium to narrow in width with prominent closed calyx. In wet years fruit may show 10% surface russet, or more. There is often a small ring of russet in the basin. Lenticels are small, dark, and smooth, but may be slightly rough and raised when springs are cold and wet. Bright red color develops best when fruit are exposed to light. Yellow ground color may turn cream (similar to Kidd’s gala) at full maturity. Scarfskin is occasionally present on the red over-color. The flesh is generally crisp and juicy, but only moderately firm. At maturity flavor is mildly acid with good sugar resulting in a good balance of sweet and tart (sometimes called "sweet-tart"). Sansa is one of the earliest red apples with a distinct and robust flavor. Good resistance to scab, but not immune. Highly susceptible to bitter rot. Moderately susceptable to tarnished plant bug and plum curculio.  Low susceptibility to codling moth, oriental fruit moth, tufted apple bud moth and redbanded leafroller.  Stores well for 6-8 weeks but shelf life is limited to 3 to 5 days.

Tree: At this location growth of Sansa has been moderate to weak. Foliage is light green. Precocious and an annual cropper, but productivity has been poor. Bloom in mid-season has been good to heavier, but set poor. Good resistance to cedar apple rust; moderate resistance to powdery mildew.  Moderately susceptible to rosy apple aphid, Japanese beetle, spotted tentiform leafminer and white apple leafhopper.  Highly susceptible to European red mite.

Market Potential: Good: roadside stand; local retail supermarket