Milestones
- 1975 - The East Malling Research launches new varieties of F1 under the tradename Balerina® (‚Waltz®‘, ‚Bolero®‘, ‚Polka®‘ and ‚Maypole®‘). Later used as a starting material for further breeding.
- 1992 - Sponsorship contract was concluded between IEB and Heines company (today Fleuren, NL) in order to start breeding of apple trees with columnar type growth. Varieties Waltz®, Bolero®and Maypole® were handed to IEB as starting material for further selection.
- Breeding started in the following years - annually planted 200-300 seedlings (= new varieties), i.e. about 20 - 30% of our total crossings.
Our columnar varieties
- Selected varieties of F2 generation with the prospect of commercial cultivars: Cactus, Rondo, Rhapsodie, Sonet, Sonate, Moonlight, Goldlane, Redlane, Sunlight and Rosalie.
- Legal protection with National Breeding Certificate in the Czech Republic and Switzerland, Community Plant Variety Rights in the EU and Plant Patent in the USA.
- License agreements for the propagation and sale of selected varieties of commercial partners: Fleuren B.V. (NL), Artevos GmbH (DE), Dickenmann AG (CH), Varieties International (USA), Plantex (SK), Fytos and Ökoplant (CZ).
2016 – we launched a new generation F3 apple varieties of columnar type of growth:
Rumba - very narrow habit, attractive fruits of good quality and shelf life
Lambada - very good tasting fruits, mature immediately after harvest.
Where to buy trees of our columnar varieties?
Are you interested in growing our varieties commercially? Do you wish to get more information? We will be happy to get in touch with you and tell you about the possibilities.