How to Grow Redlove Odysso Apple
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Redlove Odysso Apple
Malus domestica 'Redlove Odysso'
treeRedlove Odysso is a modern Swiss apple cultivar renowned for its striking deep red flesh throughout the fruit, making it visually distinctive. This mid-season variety produces medium-sized apples with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and is moderately vigorous with good disease resistance. It's an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking ornamental appeal combined with culinary quality.
When should you plant Redlove Odysso Apple in your zone?
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Example Redlove Odysso Apple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Redlove Odysso 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 Odysso Apple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Redlove Odysso Apple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-7 are ideal; can be grown in zone 4 with winter protection
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Get my Redlove Odysso Apple timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
12 monthsYoung tree focuses on root development and establishing a strong framework. Limited fruiting may occur; remove most flower buds to prioritize growth.
Stake for support, water deeply and regularly, remove competing leaders to establish central leader or open center form. Prune only to shape structure.
Early Bearing (Years 2-3)
24 monthsTree begins producing light to moderate crops. Branch structure strengthens; foliage becomes denser. Red skin coloring becomes more pronounced in developing fruit.
Thin fruit to 6 inches apart to improve size and red coloring. Continue formative pruning. Monitor for pests and diseases. Maintain consistent watering.
Productive Bearing (Years 4+)
20+ yearsTree reaches mature productivity, producing consistent medium to heavy crops of red-fleshed apples. Canopy is full and well-established.
Perform annual dormant pruning to maintain shape and improve light penetration. Thin fruit to 6-8 inches apart for optimal size and color development. Fertilize in early spring.
Flowering (Spring)
2-3 weeksProduces clusters of pink-white blossoms on 2-year-old wood. Blooms are moderately abundant and self-fertile, though cross-pollination improves fruit set.
Protect flowers from late frost damage. Ensure adequate pollinator access (bees). Do not prune during flowering. This variety blooms mid-season (typically mid-May in northern zones).
Fruit Development & Harvest (Late Summer to Fall)
12-14 weeks from floweringFruits develop their distinctive deep red flesh and skin. Apples mature mid to late season, typically September-October. Color develops from green to red, sometimes with deeper striping.
Ensure adequate watering during fruit development. Thin late-forming fruit if needed. Monitor for splitting during heavy rains. Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring, deploy kaolin clay barrier sprays, thin fruit to reduce damage sites, hand-remove infested fruit, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil during vulnerable stages
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Hang red sticky traps (one per 50 sq ft of canopy), apply kaolin clay starting mid-June, harvest fallen fruit promptly, destroy infested fruit
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Improve air circulation through pruning, apply sulfur dust or neem oil at first sign, remove affected shoots, avoid overhead watering. Redlove Odysso has moderate resistance but may need intervention in humid climates
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Remove fallen leaves and debris, apply dormant oil in late winter, use sulfur or copper fungicide during wet spring weather, ensure good canopy ventilation
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Monitor leaf undersides for webbing, spray forcefully with water to dislodge, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe, encourage natural predators
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryThe striking red flesh and crisp texture make Redlove Odysso an excellent fresh-eating apple with visual appeal for fruit plates, salads, and presentations. The sweet-tart flavor is balanced and refreshing. [source]
Juice and cider
CulinaryThe red pigmentation and moderate acidity produce an attractive pink-red juice or cider with good flavor complexity. Excellent for blending with other apple varieties. [source]
Anthocyanin content
MedicinalThe deep red flesh is rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants linked to cardiovascular health and anti-inflammatory benefits. These compounds are concentrated in the flesh rather than just the skin. [source]
Ornamental and landscape use
HouseholdBeyond fruit production, Redlove Odysso offers ornamental value with spring blossoms and striking red fruit that enhances garden aesthetics. The moderate vigor makes it suitable for small-space gardens. [source]
Natural dyes and food coloring
CraftThe red flesh can be used to create natural dyes and food colorings for baking, beverages, and other culinary applications seeking alternatives to synthetic additives. [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 Odysso apples are ready to harvest in mid to late September through early October. Harvest when apples detach easily with a gentle twist, and background color shifts to pale yellow-green. The distinctive red flesh will be visible where the apple has been exposed to sun. Store in a cool cellar (32-40°F) for up to 4-6 months; the red color deepens in storage. For best eating quality, allow fruit to mature fully on the tree.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Redlove Odysso was developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) as part of a breeding program to create apples with red flesh throughout, making it one of the first genetically improved red-fleshed varieties available to home gardeners.
- 🌱 The red pigmentation comes from high anthocyanin levels, the same compounds that make blueberries and red grapes nutritious—the flesh remains this striking deep red even when cooked, making it visually distinctive in jams, preserves, and baked goods.
- 🌱 Despite its Swiss origin and modern genetics, Redlove Odysso exhibits good disease resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew, making it more manageable than many heirloom varieties while still offering unique flavor and appearance.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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