JonaStar is a fully red version of the Jonagold apple. The fruit flushes bright red 6-8 weeks before it's ripe. This tree shares many of the best features of its parent, Jonagold: its apples are large and juicy with a tangy, sweet-tart flavor, and the tree possesses a resilience that helps it recover from diseases. JonaStar originated as a single limb mutation on a Jonagold apple tree. It was discovered by Bill Lentz of Lentz Farms in Honor, Michigan, and is sometimes called the Lentz Jonagold apple.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Malus domestica 'JonaStar'

COMMON NAME: JonaStar Jonagold Apple, Lentz Jonagold Apple

GARDEN SIZE: Depends on root stock - Dwarf 8-10 ft. tall and wide, Semi-Dwarf 12-15 ft. tall and wide, Standard/Full 15-20’ tall and wide, Espalier varies with culture

USDA ZONE: 4-8

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Loamy & well drained soil

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

BLOOM TIME: Late-midseason - Flowering Group 4

HARVEST TIME: Late-midseason, ripens mid-October

FRUIT: Medium to large, bright red apples that turn fully red 6 to 8 weeks before maturity. White lenticels speckle the red skin. JonaStar apples are very similar to Jonagold in flavor and texture, with crisp, juicy flesh and a sweet, tangy, balanced flavor containing notes of honey and flowers. JonaStar apples last well in storage.

POLLENIZATION: Not self-fertile and does not pollenize other apple trees. Needs another compatible tree nearby to produce fruit. Due to their close relation, Jonathan and Golden Delicious apple trees likely cannot pollenize JonaStar.

POLLENIZATION (Trees that pollenize this one): Babe, Ballerina 'Bolero' Colonnade, Ballerina 'Flamenco' Colonnade, Ballerina 'Polka' Colonnade, Candy Crisp, Colonnade Golden Sentinel, Cortland, CrimsonCrisp, Dixie Red Delight, Freedom, Fuji, Gala, Gibson Golden, Ginger Gold, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, King David, Mollie's Delicious, Mutsu / Crispen, Northern Spy, Pink Lady, Pixie Crunch, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Red Rome / Rome Beauty, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Urban Apple 'Tasty Red', Winter Banana, Wolf River

POLLENIZATION (Trees that are pollenized by this one): None - this tree has sterile pollen and does not pollenize other apple trees.

CARE: Prune while the tree is dormant. Remove water sprouts in June or July. Options for controlling pests, bacterial infections, and fungal disease include dormant oils applied early in the season before blooming, scented insect traps, and copper-based fungicides. DO NOT apply insecticides during blooming. This risks harming bees, which are crucial for pollination and fruit production. If necessary, fireblight can be treated with a streptomycin antibiotic spray during blooming. Apple trees need about an inch of water every 7-10 days, though young trees need a little more during their first growing season as they establish roots. If not enough rain has fallen, give the tree extra water by running a hose at a trickle around the base of the tree until the ground is fully soaked (but not for so long that there is standing water). Waterlogged roots can harm apple trees, so don't overdo it!

DISEASE RESISTANCE: Susceptible to cedar apple rust, fireblight, powdery mildew, and scab. Despite its susceptibility, JonaStar is a vigorous tree and seems to survive and recover well.

USES: Eating fresh, juicing, cider, baking, applesauce

TOXICITY: Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide and are therefore toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. The fruit is non-toxic.