Kid's Orange Red

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp, bright, and joyfully aromatic, Kid’s Orange Red brings a vivid blush of warm orange-red over a clean, apple-fresh background—like sunlight caught in fruit skin.

The flesh is fine-grained and snappy, offering a balanced sweet-tart bite that shines straight from the tree and holds beautifully for everyday preserves and spiced cider-style favorites. A standout for home orchards, this variety rewards patience with a richly colored harvest at about 140 days to maturity, delivering fruit that looks as good as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 140 DaysHabit: Shrub

Botanical illustration of Kid's Orange Red

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Sep 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	140
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	25
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kid’s Orange Red eats like it was tuned for contrast: crisp, sun-aromatic, and sweet-tart enough to hold its own against spice without tasting flat. Its fine crunch also makes it a strong pick for cider and preserves where you want fruit texture—not mush.

Best Uses

fresh eating and snack slices that won’t turn mealy
spiced cider or cider-style reductions
everyday preserves where the fruit needs body and structure
pie filling with a quick sugar-and-spice set so it still bites back

Flavor Profile

snappy, fine-grained crunch bright sweet-tart balance warm, citrusy aromatics clean finish that stays crisp

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon vanilla sharp cheddar walnuts lemon juice

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest problem is most common on Malus domestica (Kid’s Orange Red) and how do I control it?

A frequent issue is codling moth (apple worm), whose larvae tunnel into apples. Use pheromone traps to monitor, then apply an appropriate insecticide timed to the first adult flight (follow the product label) and remove any dropped wormy fruit to break the life cycle.

How often should I water Malus domestica during the main growing season?

During active growth (roughly spring through summer), keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Check soil 2–4 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water deeply until the soil is moist throughout the root zone.

How can I tell when Kid’s Orange Red apples are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the ground color shifts from green to the characteristic red-orange and the apples pull easily off the tree with a gentle twist. Also test one apple by cutting it open: seeds should be dark brown, not white, and the flesh should taste sweet and crisp rather than starchy.