Malus domestica 'Elstar' (Apple tree) — H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm
- Regular price
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€49,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€49,95
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should Elstar apples be harvested? From mid-September, approximately three weeks before Jonagold, and they can be stored until December.
Why is my apple tree losing young fruit in June? This is the natural physiological fruit drop through which the tree regulates its own fruit load.
SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🍎 Very aromatic red and green apples • 🌸 White-pink blossom in April • 🌳 Already trained tree • ☀️ Full sun • ❄️ Hardy down to -25 °C • 🍂 Deciduous foliage
The Malus domestica 'Elstar' produces medium-sized apples, orange-red over a green background, with very crisp flesh and noticeably more aroma than average. A species originating in the mountains of Central Asia, this Dutch cultivar, a cross between 'Golden Delicious' and 'Ingrid Marie', is one of Europe's most popular and a classic among the fruit trees in the catalogue.
Its distinctive feature is its balance: plenty of acidity beneath the sweetness, giving it a pronounced flavour where modern apples tend towards flat sweetness. Delivered at H90 cm in a Pot Ø21 cm, the tree is already grafted and trained.
Which apple tree should you choose?
Two varieties in the catalogue, complementary for both harvest and pollination:
- 'Elstar' (this plant) — medium-sized red and green apples, very aromatic and crisp flesh, harvest from mid-September. The most aromatic variety.
- 'Jonagold' — large yellow-green apples flushed with red, firm flesh, stores until February (H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm). The most productive variety for large fruit.
These two varieties pollinate each other, and their harvests follow one another three weeks apart: Elstar in September, Jonagold in October.
Exposure & location
An apple tree needs full sun for its fruit to ripen and develop colour. In partial shade, the tree grows and flowers, but the apples remain green, small, and sour.
- Exposure: full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
- Location: garden, large terrace, south-facing balcony — plan for a pot at least 40 cm in diameter at maturity.
- Hardiness in a pot: down to -25 °C — winter cold is essential for fruiting.
- Soil type: deep, rich, and well-draining — planting compost amended with compost.
Elstar is partially self-fertile: it produces fruit on its own, but having a second apple tree significantly increases the number of fruit that set.
Watering & care
A fruit tree in a pot uses much more water than one planted in the ground, where its roots can reach deep. A rich, well-draining substrate supports production, and yellowing foliage often indicates a deficiency during the fruiting season.
- Watering: regular from April to September — two to three times a week in summer, especially while the fruit is swelling.
- Drainage: essential — never leave standing water in the saucer.
- Pruning: in February, outside periods of frost — open up the center and shorten the previous year's shoots.
- Thinning: in June, keep only one apple per cluster — Elstar is particularly sensitive to this and alternates heavily if overloaded.
- Fertilizer: fertilizer for fruit trees, at bud break and then after flowering.
The natural drop of young fruit in June is normal: the tree regulates its own crop load; it is not a symptom.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
An apple tree offers three highlights throughout the year: pale pink and white blossoms in April, colorful fruit in September, and bare branches in winter. On a balcony, it is the tree that gives the season the most structure.
- To double the harvest, pair it with the ‘Jonagold’ Apple Tree — cross-pollination and two harvests three weeks apart.
- To extend the season, add a ‘Regina’ Cherry Tree — cherries in July, apples in September.
- To brighten up winter, place a BetterBuxus® ball next to it — its evergreen mass fills the space while the apple tree is bare.
- To enhance the pot, a terracotta or natural fiber container keeps the substrate cool during the fruiting period.
April flowering is highly nectar-rich: an apple tree attracts pollinators all over the balcony, benefiting the other fruit trees as well.
Verdeia tips
- Thin without hesitation in June: Elstar tends to alternate heavily, meaning that a very heavy crop one year is followed by a year with no harvest. Keeping just one apple per cluster helps regulate production from one year to the next.
- Harvest from mid-September: an Elstar picked too late becomes mealy and loses its acidity, which is precisely what makes it special. The fruit should come away with a gentle twisting motion.
- Prune in February, when frost-free: opening up the center of the tree lets light reach the fruit and limits disease. Pruning when the sap is flowing causes the tree to bleed and weakens the wounds.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Malus domestica 'Elstar'
- Common name: Elstar apple tree
- Family: Rosaceae
- Origin: mountains of Central Asia, cultivar developed in the Netherlands
- Dimensions on delivery: H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm
- Form: already-trained grafted tree
- Mature height: 2.50 to 3 meters in a pot
- Exposure: full sun, at least 6 hours per day
- Watering: regular during the growing season, increased while the fruit is swelling
- Soil type: deep, rich, and well-drained
- Hardiness: down to -25 °C
- Pollination: partially self-fertile, better production with a second apple tree
- Flowering: April, highly nectar-rich pinkish-white flowers
- Harvest: mid-September, keeps until December in a cool place
- Foliage: deciduous, medium-green oval leaves
- Care: February pruning and June thinning are essential
- Toxicity: edible fruit, seeds should not be consumed in large quantities
- Decorative style: Urban vegetable garden / Natural / Orchard
Each plant is unique: branching, the number of fruit buds, and vigor naturally vary from one specimen to another.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What to do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.