Cultivar 633: Charlamoff

## Lead Charlamoff is an apple cultivar (Malus domestica) of Russian origin. Northern extension and station sources describe it as a hardy, practical fruit tree for cold climates. The sources do not report direct parentage or a formal breeding release, and it appears as a historic introduction that was tested and recommended rather than a modern commercial hybrid [S2][S3][S4].

## History and naming Charlamoff entered North American fruit circles as a Russian import and appears as import No. 262 in one source. Minnesota reporting ties it to Wm. Peterson's orchard near Waconia, where it is often compared with Duchess. The name has been used for multiple forms. One source says the name Charlamoff should be kept for one imported form, while another form linked to J. B. Mitchell and A. G. Tuttle was separated as Schroeder [S2][S3]. Peterson's Charlamoff is also connected with Pointed Pipka and has appeared under alternate names, including Champagne, to reduce confusion [S2][S3]. A Prairie Canada directory points from Charlamoff/Charlamowsky to Duchess of Oldenburg, showing the same naming pressure [S1].

## Fruit Descriptions are generally consistent but not identical. Fruit is described as medium to large, oblong to round-conical, with one source noting ribbing and angular form near the stem or calyx. Skin is often light yellow to greenish yellow with red or crimson striping, splashes, or red on sun side, and heavy blue bloom is frequently noted [S2][S3][S4]. Flesh is listed as coarse to tender, usually subacid, and generally pleasant to eat. One source says it is particularly good for fresh eating. The season is usually late August and sometimes slightly later than Duchess [S2][S3][S4].

## Tree and orchard behavior The tree is usually described as spreading, vigorous, productive, and structurally sound. One trial note says it can bear at a relatively young age. Another source says it is hardy and performs as a strong tree in northern conditions, with positive orchard observations in Waconia and Brookings [S2][S3][S4].

## Hardiness and geography Sources repeatedly treat Charlamoff as a high-hardy option for northern and prairie regions. It is listed in Minnesota guidance as a first-degree hardiness selection and appears in South Dakota district recommendations as a trial or high-hardy entry. Some sources report it as somewhat hardier than Duchess in specific orchard conditions. Because name use varied across regions and publications, some recommendations may refer to related or near-synonymous material, so this caveat should remain with hardiness claims [S2][S3][S4].

## Uncertainty Direct parentage is not provided in this packet. Fruit details such as color and shape vary by description, and the synonym history can blur cultivar identity in older records. Storage behavior is not consistently documented across sources [S1][S2][S3][S4].

Summary source basis

• S1: Edible Apples in Prairie Canada
• S2: A Study of Northwestern Apples
• S3: Fruit Culture
• S4: TreeFruitsGrownInPrairieOrchards WRLeslie 1946 HQ

This summary currently draws chiefly from A Study of Northwestern Apples, with 3 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Charlamoff is cross-referenced to Duchess of Oldenburg.”
— ^[2]

“Charlamoff was recommended for general cultivation by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.”
— ^[1]

“The Commission's consensus strongly favored Charlamoff in its short list.”
— ^[1]

“Listed as of first degree of hardiness for Districts 5 and 9.”
— ^[1]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• No direct breeding_cross claim text yet.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• with Anisim, Longfield, Christmas, Yellow Sweet, Cross and Repka Malenka for further trial. ... especially Hi bernal, Duchess, Charlamoff, Anisim ...A Study of Northwestern Apples, p13
• CHARLAMOFF GROUP. Charlamoff, 26 2; Peterson's Charlamoff; Champansk oe; Pointed Pipka, 36 1; Champagne, r 12... This Charlamoff is entirely distinct from the Charlamoff as grown by J. B. Mitchell and A. G. Tuttle... DESCRIPTION: Charlamoff-Size, 5 to 6; form, oblong conical; ... flavor, pleasant, vinous acid; season, A Study of Northwestern Apples, p39
• Charlamoff (Pointed Pipka, Peterson 's Charlamoff)- Origin , Russia. One of the four varieties recommended by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society as of the first degree of hardiness. Tree sprea ding, vigorous, productive:.__Fruit above medium to large, oblong, somewhat truncated, occasionally roundish trun cated,A Study of Northwestern Apples, p38
• Districts Nos. 2, 3, 4—For trial: Hibernal, Duchess, Charlamoff, Wealthy. ... Districts Nos. 5 and 9—Of first degree of hardiness: Hibernal, Duchess, Charlamoff. ... District No. 6—Hibernal, Duchess, Charlamoff, ... ... District No. 7—Duchess, Charlamoff, Wealthy, Hibernal, Haas... District No. 8—Hibernal, Duchess, ChaA Study of Northwestern Apples, p17

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context