Malus domestica 'Dorsett Golden'
Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily; afternoon shade can reduce fruit sunburn and heat stress in Phoenix.
Water: Moderate to high water needs in the desert. Irrigate deeply throughout the root zone, increasing frequency during extreme heat and fruit development. Allow the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid waterlogging.
Soil: Well-drained loam preferred; tolerates other soil textures with good drainage. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause iron deficiency. Apply organic mulch, keeping it several inches away from the trunk.
Mature size: Rootstock dependent: approximately 15–25 feet tall and wide on standard roots, 12–18 feet on semi-dwarf roots, and 8–12 feet on dwarf roots. Pruning can maintain a smaller canopy.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring, often January–March in Phoenix, depending on winter temperatures. Fruit commonly ripens in May–June.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate water and nutrition; influenced by rootstock.