RalphShaycrabapple trees are mid-sized trees with dark green leaves and an attractive rounded shape. These crabapples are on the large side and are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Click this article to learn more about them. RalphShayCrabapple (Malus 'RalphShay'): The red buds of RalphShaycrabapple open to white flowers that are followed by red fruit about 1¼ inches in diameter. The fruit persist into late winter. This cultivar is reported to have good disease resistance by the University of Illinois Extension. RalphShayCrabapple Care Most established RalphShaycrabapple trees don't require fertilizer. However, if growth seems slow or soil is poor, feed the trees every spring using a balanced, granular or water-soluble fertilizer. Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple). Malus × ‘RalphShay’.Additional Information. The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. RalphShayCrabapple is 23 years old [2]. RalphShaycrab thrives in full sun and grows best in well drained, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5); however, they will grow well in many soil types. Grows to 20 feet with equal spread. Crabapple 'RalphShay' (Malus 'RalphShay') is a medium-sized variety of crabapple tree that produces edible fruits. It grows 15 to 20 feet tall and 17 to 22 feet wide and has a rounded and wide spread. RalphShay Flowering Crabapple is a broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable or tree with green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular water. RalphShay Care of Crabapples. Regularly water RalphShaycrabapple trees until they become well-established. In hot, dry weather or during prolonged droughts, water established trees a few times a month; otherwise, very little additional moisture is required. A detail of ‘Prairifire’ flowers. ralph-shay-crabapple-form. And then there’s ‘RalphShay,’ an upright tree with the biggest fruit I’ve seen (good for canning and jellies). buds-of-crabapple-ralph-shay. . Common name: RalphShaycrabapple. Family: Rosaceae (rose family). Distribution: hybrid: Simpson Nursery hybrid.Becomes semi-weeping from the weight of the fruit. Somewhat susceptible to disease. Names for RalphShay, formerly plant pathologist at Purdue University. In ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’ pollen grew the fastest, followed by ‘Delicious’ and crabapple. Neither ‘RalphShay’ nor Malus floribunda were effective pollinizers for ‘Honeycrisp’ and resulted in low fruit set suggesting incompatibility may be involved. Since apple trees cannot self-pollinate, the pollen from other apple varieties is necessary for fruit to grow. Orchard owners often plant crabapple trees amongst high-value apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala and Fuji.
