LaFélix

Apple

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Honeycrisp'

Summary: The tree of 'LaFélix' has weak vigour while that of ‘Honeycrisp' has medium vigour. The one-year-old shoot of 'LaFélix' is thin whereas it is of medium thickness for that of ‘Honeycrisp'. The one-year-old shoot of 'LaFélix' has dense pubescence on the distal half with few lenticels whereas that of ‘Honeycrisp' has absent or very sparse pubescence on the distal half with none to very few lenticels. The petiole of the leaf of 'LaFélix' is longer than that of ‘Honeycrisp'. The leaf blade of ‘LaFélix' is narrower than that of ‘Honeycrisp'. The stigma of the flower of ‘LaFélix' is positioned below the anthers while the stigma of ‘Honeycrisp' is positioned above the anthers. The fruit of ‘LaFélix' is shorter than that of ‘Honeycrisp'. The fruit shape of ‘LaFélix' is obloid while it is conic for ‘Honeycrisp'. The fruit skin of ‘LaFélix' has an absent to very small relative area of light red over colour in a solid flush pattern whereas the fruit skin of ‘Honeycrisp' has a very large relative area of dark orange red over colour in a solid flush pattern with strongly defined stripes. The flesh of the fruit of LaFélix' is white while it is cream coloured for that of ‘Honeycrisp'.

Description:

TREE: weak vigour, ramified type, drooping growth habit, fruit bearing on spurs and long shoots, begins flowering mid-season, mid-season fruit harvest, mid-season eating maturity

ONE-YEAR-OLD SHOOT: thin, reddish brown on side facing sun, dense pubescence on distal half, few lenticels

LEAF BLADE: outwards attitude in relation to shoot, medium length to width ratio, dark intensity of green on upper side, double serrate incisions of margin on distal half, absent or sparse density of pubescence on lower side
PETIOLE: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration from base

FLOWER: predominantly dark pink at balloon stage, large diameter when petals pressed into horizontal position, overlapping arrangement of petals, stigmas positioned below anthers
YOUNG FRUIT: small extent of anthocyanin over colour
FRUIT: medium to large, very low height to diameter ratio, obloid, absent or weak degree of ribbing, absent or weak crowning at calyx end, short sepal
FRUIT SKIN: absent or weak bloom, medium greasiness, yellow green ground colour, absent to very small relative area of over colour, light red over colour in a solid flush pattern; absent or small area of russet around stalk attachment, absent or small area of russet on cheeks, absent or small area of russet around eye basin, medium number of lenticels, small lenticels
FRUIT STALK: thick
FRUIT STALK CAVITY: medium depth, medium width
FRUIT EYE: medium sized
FRUIT EYE BASIN: deep, medium to broad
FRUIT FLESH: very firm, white, moderately open aperture of locules in transverse section

Origin & Breeding History: 'LaFélix' (experimental designation Orléans 9) originated as a cross between ‘O.533' and 'Honeycrisp' at the Ferme Avicole Orléans in St. Famille, Quebec in 2000. All breeding efforts were made in the same location. The resulting seeds were sown in 2001. In 2009, the seedlings of the variety were selected. In 2013, the new variety was grafted onto M26 rootstock. In 2020, the variety was grafted onto B9 rootstock. 'LaFélix' was selected for its colour, caliber, shape, firmness, flesh texture, taste and its maturity period and storageability.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'LaFélix' was conducted in 2024 at the Ferme Avicole Orléans, in St. Famille, Quebec. The trial consisted of 10 trees of 'LaFélix' planted in 2020 on M26 rootstock and 10 trees of 'Honeycrisp' planted in 2012 on B9 rootstock. Trees were planted approximately 1.4 metres apart within a row and the rows were 3.6 metres apart. Observations and measurements were taken on 10 trees or 10 parts of trees for all varieties. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'LaFélix' with reference variety 'Honeycrisp'

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Fruit height (cm)

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Apple: 'LaFélix' (top) with reference variety 'Honeycrisp' (bottom)

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Apple: 'LaFélix' (left) with reference variety 'Honeycrisp' (right)

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Apple: 'LaFélix' (left) with reference variety 'Honeycrisp' (right)