apple 'D'Arcy Spice'

Prefers a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. Tree size will depend on rootstock and training method selection. Thin fruit in late spring or early summer to improve size and quality. See apple cultivation for further advice

Prune according to chosen training method, often twice a year; see apple pruning

Propagate by grafting in midwinter or budding in late summer. Fruit grown from pips will not resemble the parent

May be affected by aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth and other caterpillars

Average resistance to common apple diseases: apple canker, apple scab, and powdery mildews. Apples are also susceptible to brown rot, honey fungus and blossom wilt