Kiku #8

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp, cool-crunch flesh with a bright, apple-sweet perfume—Kiku #8 brings a clean, refreshing bite and a juicy snap that feels luminous in the hand.

The fruit’s flavor balances gentle sweetness with a lively, tangy edge, making it a standout for fresh enjoyment and for turning into fragrant preserves, sauces, and spiced preparations. Grow Kiku #8 for a long-season harvest that rewards patience with beautifully textured apples at full maturity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 240 DaysHabit: Shrub

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

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 6b has only 174 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 240-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Milestone	Date
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Growing Approach	Protected Environment Only

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	240
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kiku #8 is built for that cold, luminous crunch—sweet up front, then the tang snaps your palate awake. Use it where the texture can stay bold (slaw, chilled poach, chunky sauce) and let the perfume show alongside warm spice or salty fat.

Best Uses

thin slices in a winter slaw that can hold sharp vinaigrette
whole-apple poaching or tart spiced simmering (keeps its crunch when served cool)
chunky sauce or apple butter where the tang keeps it from tasting flat
fragrant preserves that rely on a balanced sweet–acid ratio

Flavor Profile

cool-crisp juicy bite apple-sweet perfume with a bright tangy edge snappy flesh that stays intact when chilled clean, refreshing finish

Kitchen Pairings

sharp cheddar cinnamon brown butter walnuts pork belly fresh lemon juice

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Malus domestica (kiku/apple) leaves turning yellow or getting spots, and what can I do?

Malus domestica commonly suffers from apple scab (black/olive leaf spots) and powdery mildew (white, dusty growth). Remove and discard heavily spotted leaves, then spray preventively with a labeled fungicide for apples—start at bud break and repeat as the label directs after wet periods. Improve airflow by pruning and avoid overhead watering so leaves dry quickly.

How often should I water Malus domestica during the main growing season, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During active growth, keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for roughly 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week from rainfall plus irrigation. Water deeply once or twice weekly, then let the top 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again. Mulch around the tree helps stabilize moisture and reduces the risk of stress that can affect fruit set.

How do I know when to harvest Malus domestica (kiku/apple) at about 240 days?

Harvest when the fruit skin background color changes from green to the mature color for the variety, and the fruit easily separates when lifted and gently twisted upward. Check firmness and taste—apples that are still hard and very tart will not fully mature off the tree. If you slice an apple, the seeds should be dark brown rather than pale/white.

Kiku #8

Planting Schedule

Crop Dates

Crop Details

Culinary Notes

Frequently Asked Questions