Alix Blue™ was developed in 2012 by Arlen Draper for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). It has retained the qualities of each of its parents (the Bluecrisp and Magnolia varieties), combining firmness, good-sized fruits, and quality of flavor. Alix Blue™ also shows excellent vigor. Approximately 50% of the crops usually ripen a few days before the Star variety. Tests performed by breeders have shown it to be very productive. In every year of assessment, it yields higher than the Star variety, and has lower chilling requirements (estimated at about 400 hours by the breeder). In initial tests in a region with no real cold season, the fruit set was good.
