The major varieties grown are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Jonathan, and York. Growers also produce other varieties like Granny Smith, Molly's Delicious, and Grimes Golden. Home gardeners should view apple production as a hobby, not as way to save money. Consider raising the older varieties or kinds not available commercially. To avoid having to spray for disease, plant disease-resistant varieties.
Most apples are self-unfruitful.
To get good fruit, plant at least two different varieties. Golden Delicious, Grimes Golden, Jonathan, and Winter Banana are excellent pollen producers. The pollen of Winesap, Spigold, and Mutsu is poor. When planting one of these varieties, plant two other varieties as well. Pollination will occur only if the trees bloom at the same time.