Cultivar 246: Red Melba

Taxon ID: 1

Usage Facet: class=edible; edible_score=1.0; ornamental_score=0.0; inferred_from_taxon=yes

Relationships: 1 | Linked Entities (visible): 1 | Evidence claims: 16 | History events: 1 | Catalog issue offerings: 0

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Evidence Badge: emerging | claims=16 | sources=2 | contradictions=0

Claim Types: description_snippet:3, anecdote_snippet:2, source_reference_abbreviation:2, breeding_cross:1, fruit_color:1, hardiness_code_expansion:1, release_year_reference:1, storage_duration:1, taxon_context:1 | Open evidence summary JSON | Open citation drawer JSON

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Wiki Draft

Red Melba is an apple cultivar described as a bud mutation of Melba. It kept the general character of Melba but improved fruit finish and handling: the skin is redder, the flesh is firmer, and the apples bruise less easily. It also ripens slightly later than Melba. [S1]

The same source says it originated at Davidson Nursery in Fontill, Ontario. It also says budwood was distributed to growers as Melba before the mutation was recognized, and many of those growers gave it a name. This gives Red Melba the character of a discovered sport rather than a planned cross. Coutts also called it a "good breeder." [S1]

In practical terms, Red Melba seems to have been valued as a redder, firmer Melba selection with somewhat better durability. The packet also includes later breeding evidence that Red Melba was used as a parent in the cross Crimson Beauty x Red Melba. That is later breeding use, not Red Melba's own parentage. [S1]

Hardiness is not stated directly in the surviving note here. Its inclusion in a Prairie Canada reference shows it was at least considered in prairie testing and discussion, but this packet does not give a direct zone rating or winter survival statement. [S1]

Summary source basis

This summary currently draws chiefly from Edible Apples in Prairie Canada.

Featured source descriptions

“CF (1940).”
[1]
“Flesh more firm and less subject to bruising.”
[1]
“Fruit similar to Melba.”
[1]
“Slightly later.”
[1]

Parentage

Direct parent cultivars

Parentage claim text

Lineage Links

Derived or downstream cultivar links

Story Highlights

Source-story quotations

Family Navigation

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context

No sibling cultivars surfaced from source quotes yet.

Cold Hardiness

Zone assertions are structured rows. Hardiness claim text appears in evidence claims and page-linked citations.

Zone MinZone MaxZone TextAssertion TypeOutcomeLocationConfidence
No explicit zone assertion rows yet.

Media Gallery

No linked media assets.

Citation Drawer (Top Supporting Sources)

DocumentTitle/URLRightsClaimsRelationshipsHistory EventsPagesSnippets
3Edible Apples in Prairie Canadaunknown1500p58References cited: WCSH (Western Canadian Society for Horticulture (1944- ).).; Hardiness rated borderline hardy (H3).; Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more).; Classified as ST, expanded
72Quinteunknown111n/aCrimson Beauty x Red Melba; relationship: cross_parent; history: Crimson Beauty x Red Melba

Citation Evidence (Page-Linked Quotes)

DocumentPageClaim TypeClaimQuoteMatch
3p58source_reference_abbreviationReferences cited: WCSH (Western Canadian Society for Horticulture (1944- ).).Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58entry_hardiness_observationHardiness rated borderline hardy (H3).Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58description_snippetListed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more).Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58taxon_contextClassified as ST, expanded as a standard apple with fruit 5 cm diameter or more.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58hardiness_code_expansionRated H3, indicating borderline hardy.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58source_reference_abbreviationReferences include Hoyer test (1949), Sheridan Nurseries (1978), L&W, WCSH, and F82.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58entry_locationOriginated at Davidson Nursery, Fonthill, Ontario.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58anecdote_snippetBudwood was distributed to various growers as Melba, and many named it separately when the mutation became evident.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58anecdote_snippetCalled a good breeder by Coutts.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58storage_durationRipens slightly later than Melba.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58description_snippetFlesh is firmer and less subject to bruising.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58fruit_colorSkin is more red than Melba.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58description_snippetFruit similar to Melba.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58release_year_referenceReferenced to the 1940s.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90
3p58entry_pedigreeA Melba bud mutation.Red Melba (Melba bud mutation) CF (1940s) Fruit similar to Melba, but skin more red, flesh more firm and less subject to bruising. Slightly later.page_block:0.90

Nursery Offering Timeline

YearNurseryCatalog IssueRelation
No catalog issue offerings linked.

Linked Entities

RelationTypeIDLabel
cross_parentcultivar245Crimson Beauty

Evidence Claims

TypeClaimConfidence
source_reference_abbreviationReferences cited: WCSH (Western Canadian Society for Horticulture (1944- ).).0.93
entry_hardiness_observationHardiness rated borderline hardy (H3).0.96
description_snippetListed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more).0.96
taxon_contextClassified as ST, expanded as a standard apple with fruit 5 cm diameter or more.0.99
hardiness_code_expansionRated H3, indicating borderline hardy.0.95
source_reference_abbreviationReferences include Hoyer test (1949), Sheridan Nurseries (1978), L&W, WCSH, and F82.0.86
entry_locationOriginated at Davidson Nursery, Fonthill, Ontario.0.95
anecdote_snippetBudwood was distributed to various growers as Melba, and many named it separately when the mutation became evident.0.95
anecdote_snippetCalled a good breeder by Coutts.0.90
storage_durationRipens slightly later than Melba.0.90
description_snippetFlesh is firmer and less subject to bruising.0.96
fruit_colorSkin is more red than Melba.0.96
description_snippetFruit similar to Melba.0.97
release_year_referenceReferenced to the 1940s.0.86
entry_pedigreeA Melba bud mutation.0.98
breeding_crossCrimson Beauty x Red Melba0.65

History Events

IDTypeYearLabel
577cross_event1964Crimson Beauty x Red Melba