Why you!

Yes, please give us an update on the Showtime some time. Always interested in new crab varieties. I still consider them the best all-around smallish ornamental tree, provided one has done their homework re: disease resistance, persistent fruit, etc. at least in my area.

+oM

+oM
I agree with you that crabapple is great smallish ornamental. I find myself suggesting them frequently due to site conditions, location, and just the competence of the person involved.

FWIW, it was apparently someone at Ohio State in their program that says Showtime would be an excellent replacement for Prairie Fire. I have Google searched and not found a link though. Lake County Nursery is the originator of the cultivar if I'm not mistaken. Check out the link below for a few pictures you might enjoy. It was these same pictures that my significant other saw that resulted in me searching the net for Showtime Crabapple. She is happy to have it.

Arktrees

Here is a link that might be useful: Showtime Crabapple

Found a name that I had missed. Jim Chatfield of OSU.

Arktrees

Looking very good so far! Even the bark looks like a ringer for Prairie Fire. Look forward to seeing this baby in action. And the flower buds look huge, much larger than PF =O

I will wait to pat myself on the back until she is in full flower, but I have no doubts now the show will be top notch.

Hope the temps didn't hurt it last night. We hit 26* and I am stressing about the Rising Sun now...

John

John,
The folwer buds only look bigger because I was using the Marco setting and getting in close to show as much detail as possible. They seem to be about the same size so far, and the whole tree is very much like PF so far. However if the pictures are correct, I would have to give Showtime the edge with the fall color. It has crossed my mind that Showtime may in fact originate from a seedling of PF. That would reshuffle the genetics so that new resistance could be created, but keep allot of the characteristics that make PF so popular. Could be some Royal Raindrops genetics in there as well.

We hit 25* that I know of, as that was the temp when I got up this morning. I'm not too worried about the Crab and the cold, as the PF we had dealt with with colder than that without apparent damage. Now the Rhodo pictured could be a different story. Don't worry about your Redbud, it will be fine. If the flowers haven't opened, then they are much more resistant to freezing. the new shots MAY get zapped, but it doesn't really seem to bother them much. Our Oklahoma Redbud got the 2007 April freeze after it was much further along than your Rising Sun. Temp got to 12F, and that was the first Spring in the ground and was the same size as yours. Killed all the flowers and shoots. Withing about 2 weeks, new ones were visible, and the tree grew 2' that year, and the next year, and the next. Like nothing had happened. So no worries, it will be fine.

Arktrees

Yes, James Chatfield is the preeminent fl. crab authority. The most recent time I attended one of his seminars, last summer, he was sporting credible mad scientist garb, not unlike "Doc" from "Back To The Future"! But a great plantsman and source for legit. info.

You are also right-any plant cultivar with 'zam' in its name is a indeed a Lake County introduction.

+oM

Just an FYI. 23F here this morning, and the Showtime Crabapple seems unharmed.

+oM, have you seen any of the "Holiday Gold" Hozam? I ran across it while looking for more info on the Showtime and James Chatfield. The pdf form Lake County looked very interesting. Good to know Mr. Chatfield has a sense of humor. Thanks for that.

Arktrees

Here is a link that might be useful: Hozam Crabapple

Well, I've seen it now that you've kindly provided that link. Looks great! Wonder about scab resistance. That's a must around here.

BTW, that looks much better than the 'Golden Raindrops' or whatever that I have. It's the one with maple-like leaves. Growing well, and also said to be very disease resistant, but the fruit is a big disappointment so far. BTW, I'm not even sure if that's the correct name-for my tree. But like I say, mapleish leaves. I like the one you linked to much better.

+oM

I agree it looks great in that pdf. I ran across it in Chatfield's reports on crabapple cultivars, but did not look closely are the reports. I will have to do that a bit later. As expected, my female counterpart really liked it when I showed it to her. She had what I call a Bower Bird response (Male Bower Birds build a display out of brightly colored objects to attract the females attention, so they are attracted to anything brightly colored or shiny.) I did a quick Google search, and did not find anyone growing it, but I didn't look extensively. Nor have I been able to determine if the is a new selection or an older selection that just did not catch on.

Thanks for the info on Golden Raindrops Malus transitoria, I just planted one of those as well as the Showtime. We like the small fruited selections so as to help feed the wildlife. We do lots of bird watching especially in the winter months. We had three crabapples last year, and had to remove all three due to canker that I think came in on a Harvest Gold crabapple. So after overwintering without the crabapples (literature says the fungus overwinter's in the canker), I've replanted two with two new selections, and put in a Bihou Japanese maple for the third in case the canker returns from another source.

Thanks again,
Arktrees

Update time. These were taken today and hour or so before sunset. The color so far is a bit more pink, but I suspect that is partly due to it being a new planting, in a totally new climate (Northwest Arkansas climate is VERY different from a Western Oregon climate, and the fact that these flower buds got frosted with 25F and 23F while developing. After the later, they seemed to fade in color just a bit. Also the very warm weather since that time could be having an impact as well. Still we are happy with it so far. Hope you enjoy.

Arktrees

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Frost or no frost they are still very pretty.

I would like to know how your tree began bud break after all 3 of my crabapples and is now ahead of them all. PF just opened its first flowers yesterday and the Harvest Gold still has a ways to go.

Soil MAYBE??? Soil moisture? Amount of sun? Can't say that I have a good explanation other just variation. BTW, the first open flower on this tree was the day before these pictures were taken. Those 60F overnight low temps push things along in a hurry.

Arktrees

What a cute tree, Ark! Any idea how they handle the heat of S.E. Texas?

Absolutely nice!
These are my favored,....I'm glad, more people now are planting these, they're one of the best for cross pollination other apples.
Also preferred by honey bees!
I've been growing allot from seeds...more then thousand and keep the one's I like, to see what comes from them when they flower after about 8 years.

Here are some samples..

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ghost,
I've only had the tree for about a month or so, and while it's been VERY warm, it's not like full summer either, so I can't say that I "know". However, crabapples as a whole are VERY adaptable, with a very broad climate tolerance. I assume that you have crabapples in your area already. Assuming that is correct, then it would probable be just fine. You might look at Texas A&M's for more specific info on crabapples in SE Texas.

knorad,
Those are freaking fantastic. If they have been disease resistant, then you have some possible winners as far as commercial introduction goes. the last one is especially eye catching to me. Most new tree selections are developed in the same method as what your doing. Grow thousands, select the very best for further testing. Thank you very much for sharing those pictures.

To everyone, feel free to post any nice crabapple pics in this thread if you like. I started this thread to share my experiences with a new cultivar, but no reason it include contributions from others, and about other crabapples.

Arktrees

Update. These two photos were taken yesterday 3/18/2012. The color is fading to a lighter pink. Today petals have begun to drop, so there aren't likely to be much more in way of flowers pictures. Not a surprise with the sunny, windy, and very warm weather we have been having. Tree is doing well so far. Shots are beginning to extend rapidly, so the growth seems to be the next phase of concern. Hope you enjoy.

Arktrees
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Thank you arktrees!
Time will tell if I can ever get one of my best into production commercially.
Yes, the last picture, a darker red is my favoured too.

Nevertheless, yours is a nice pink..nothing wrong with that!
The beginning of the flower stage is usually darker...then with age they turn lighter in color.

Thanks for the feedback konrad. Can't say I'm complaining about it. Just observations. It has been very showy for such a small tree. I have not done a comparison, but to me the flowers appear to be larger than most. In the end, my female counter part loves it, which means I better love it if I know what's good for me. :-) Just joking. I realize spring is a while away for you, but I would love to see any photos you might care to share when appropriate.

Arktrees

Thank you for this thread! I am hoping to revive it to see if there is any update that you can share with this Shotizam crabapple please? I am very keen to learn about your experience in terms of mature size and disease resistance. I am in Zone 3b/4a though, so I guess cold hardiness is important to me too! Thanks!

mntreegrower, this is great to know! Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

I wonder how big they get to in Zone 4A?