He told the Tree Crop Growers conference in Cromwell yesterday that he grew various types of apples - particularly the heirloom or old-fashioned varieties.
Tests have shown the properties of Monty's surprise (named after an old identity of the North Island area where it was found) may help prevent and certainly slow down cancer growths.
Tests were at an early stage but the initial results were promising, Mr Christensen said.
Studies had already been done on the properties of 59 types of apples and red delicious had shown promising anti-oxidant properties and beneficial qualities in the treatment and prevention of colon cancer.
The Monty's surprise variety almost doubled the amounts of some of the most important flavonoids found in any of the other apples tested. Only small amounts were needed to inhibit cancer cells in trials using rats.
Monty's surprise apples have four times the level of antioxidants in vitamin C.
Five thousand Monty's surprise seedlings have been grafted from a single tree and given away in Wanganui, Mr Christensen's home town, in an effort to boost the level of community health in that area.
‘‘I suggest you all start growing those heirloom varieties and save the seeds because they are our future,'' he said.
On Saturday morning, the audience of almost 100 was told by Otago Polytechnic Cromwell campus lecturer Alex Huffadine that there had not been a change in horticulture as a result of climate change.
He said the growth in the horticulture and viticulture industry was strong across the country and Central Otago was no different.
Central Otago growers could expect an increase in the number of frost-free days as a result of global warming, which could be a good thing.
‘‘Essentially, we do have a changing climate, but not yet big enough to consider a range of new crops,'' he said.
Organising committee member Laurie Stenhouse said the two themes of ‘‘Our Changing Environment'' and ‘‘Growing Healthy Crops'' had proved very successful, with visits to various orchards and to Niwa to complement both.
