How to Grow Redlove Cirrus Apple
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Redlove Cirrus Apple
Malus domestica 'Redlove Cirrus'
treeRedlove Cirrus is a Swiss-bred ornamental and culinary apple variety featuring striking red-fleshed fruit and pink-tinged white blossoms. The tree produces medium-sized apples with crimson skin and distinctive deep red or magenta interior flesh. It offers both aesthetic appeal in the landscape and unique flavor and color for fresh eating and cooking.
When should you plant Redlove Cirrus Apple in your zone?
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Example Redlove Cirrus Apple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Redlove Cirrus Apple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Redlove Cirrus Apple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Redlove Cirrus Apple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-7; hardy to zone 4b with winter protection
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Get my Redlove Cirrus Apple timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree focuses on root and branch development; minimal flowering.
Water regularly, stake if needed, remove any flower buds in first 2-3 years to direct energy to growth. Prune lightly to establish strong central leader.
Flowering
2-3 weeks in springTree produces abundant pink-tinged white blossoms in mid-spring. Flowers appear in corymbs (flat-topped clusters).
Requires cross-pollination from compatible apple varieties (most apple trees work). Ensure bee activity or hand-pollinate if necessary. Thin flowers if excessive fruit set threatens branch strength.
Fruit Development
8-10 weeksSmall green fruits appear and gradually enlarge, developing characteristic crimson skin and interior red pigmentation.
Thin fruit to 1 apple every 6 inches of branch for larger, higher-quality fruit. Remove any diseased or misshapen fruits. Maintain consistent water and nutrition.
Ripening
3-4 weeks before harvestFruit develops deep red skin color; flesh becomes increasingly red and flesh quality improves. Tree canopy may show autumn color.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid promoting excessive vegetative growth. Taste fruit periodically to determine peak ripeness. Avoid water stress which can crack fruit.
Harvest
Late August to September (varies by location)Fruit reaches full size and color; flesh turns deep red or magenta. Apples are ready when fully colored and slightly soft to gentle pressure.
Harvest by twisting fruit upward gently; they should come free when ripe. Handle carefully to avoid bruising. Store at 32-35°F for extended shelf life.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps, apply neem oil or spinosad in early June, remove infected fruit promptly, practice sanitation
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Use sticky red ball traps, apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based sprays, remove fallen fruit, prune dense canopies for air circulation
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Prune for air circulation, apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate, use horticultural oil in dormant season, avoid high nitrogen
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Prune infected branches 12 inches below visible damage, sterilize tools between cuts, avoid excessive nitrogen, apply streptomycin during bloom if disease history exists
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Spray with water to dislodge, use miticide or neem oil, encourage predatory insects, avoid excessive dust
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryRedlove Cirrus has a balanced, pleasant sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture ideal for fresh eating straight from the tree. The striking red flesh adds visual appeal to fruit salads and cheese boards. [source]
Juicing and cider
CulinaryThe deep red flesh produces visually stunning juice and cider with unique color and flavor profile. Red-fleshed apples are increasingly popular in craft cider production. [source]
Cooking and baking
CulinaryThe red flesh maintains color when cooked, creating striking pies, compotes, and preserves. The flesh resists browning better than many apple varieties. [source]
Landscape ornament
OrnamentalBeyond fruit production, Redlove Cirrus offers spring interest with pink-tinged blossoms and autumn appeal with colored foliage and persistent red fruit. It serves as both productive tree and garden showpiece. [source]
Anthocyanin-rich superfruit
MedicinalThe red flesh is rich in anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of red-fleshed apples may support cardiovascular and cognitive health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Redlove Cirrus typically ripens in late August to September. Apples are ready when fully colored (deep red skin) and the flesh beneath the skin shows red pigmentation. Test ripeness by tasting a sample fruit. Harvest by gently twisting the apple upward; ripe fruit should release easily. Handle carefully to prevent bruising. Store at 32-35°F with good humidity for 2-4 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Redlove Cirrus is part of the Redlove family of apples developed by Swiss breeding program Frutigen AG, specifically bred for red flesh throughout the fruit rather than just at the core.
- 🌱 The distinctive red pigmentation comes from high anthocyanin content—the same compounds that make blueberries and red wine health-promoting, making these apples uniquely nutritious.
- 🌱 Despite their ornamental appearance and exciting color, Redlove varieties took decades to develop because red flesh is a recessive trait in apples and the trees must produce good flavor while maintaining the visual appeal.
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