Apple-tree Lingonberry

The apple has been a favorite fruit in Russia since ancient times. Apple trees grow all over the country from Bryansk to Vladivostok. They are, of course, different in size, but the taste and aroma of apples is preserved in large fruits grown in the south, and in small fruits growing in Siberia.

Scientists have developed many varieties of apple trees for every region of Russia. But against their background, the Brusnichnoye variety occupies a separate place due to its technological and taste qualities.

In the second half of the last century, a group of scientists from the All-Russian Moscow Institute of Selection and Technology of World Horticulture and Nursery, headed by A. Petrov, worked on the creation of apple trees for growing in the middle zone of the European part of Russia. To do this, they crossed the already zoned variety Slava Pobediteli with other varieties. But the breeder liked a seedling from an unknown pollinator. This is how the first seedlings of the Brusnichnoye variety appeared. It soon became widespread among amateur gardeners.

Lingonberry is a late summer ripening variety that has yellow-green fruits, almost completely covered with a red blush, reminiscent of lingonberry in color. The variety is characterized by low trees up to 2 m. The branches are thin, rarely located. They form a beautiful, spreading crown. The fruits are distinguished by good taste.

Lingonberry is one of the varieties that are recommended for growing in personal plots.

The apple tree has many advantages that are so popular with amateur gardeners:

• begins to bear fruit early;

• gives high yields;

• annual fruiting;

• frost resistance;

• ease of care and harvesting, since the tree is not tall;

• not damaged during transportation.

The disadvantages include:

• short shelf life of fruits;

• instability to fungal diseases;

• fruit ripening time is extended.

This variety belongs to the early-growing. The first apples can be obtained in 2-3 years. In the future, the yield increases every year, reaching a maximum only by 7 years from planting in the ground. This is due to the fact that the growth of branches is only about 7 cm per year.

The first fruits can be tasted in August, but they fully ripen in the first month of autumn. The fruits ripen for a long time, which creates certain difficulties for processing. But apples can be eaten fresh for a long time. They stay on the branches for quite a long time, but fall off when overripe.

The apple tree bears fruit every year, which is very beneficial when grown in personal plots.

Due to its good frost resistance and low crown, the variety can be grown throughout Russia. True, in the northern regions it needs to be covered in order to protect the lower part of the crown from freezing. And in the Central and Volgo-Vyatka regions, no additional protection is required for the growth of this variety.

A young tree produces an average of 5 to 15 kg of fruit. During the main fruiting period, with proper care, up to 150 kg of delicious, beautiful apples can be harvested.

Lingonberry can be served fresh, only plucked, on the table. They also work well for canning.

Fruits are round, slightly oblong, have a beautiful yellow-green color, with a bright raspberry blush. The skin is smooth, during ripening, a waxy coating forms, which gives it a beautiful shine.

The fruits are medium to large in size, growing up to 100-120 grams.

The juicy pulp is light beige in color. In terms of taste, the apple is sweet with a pleasant sourness. The tasting score is high, approaching 5 points. Apples are dessert-like in terms of their taste.

After removal, the fruits are not stored for a long time, within a month. Therefore, they must be recycled immediately.

The apple tree loves good lighting. To achieve this, it is better to plant Lingonberry on the south side of the garden so that tall trees do not shade it.

The tree does not tolerate soil with high acidity, so neutral loam with good aeration is best for it.

The apple tree grows well even with a groundwater depth of only 1.5 m, since its roots do not penetrate deeply into the soil.

For better rooting and good growth of the seedling, the first flowers must be removed.

For propagation of the variety, two stocks are used: dwarf and superdwarf.

If the graft of the Brusnichnoye variety is grafted onto a dwarf stock (M9), then the apple tree grows no higher than 2 m. Its root consists of many thin roots located close to the surface and does not have a main long stem. Therefore, the variety has proven itself well in areas where groundwater is close to the surface of the earth. It does not require large areas in the garden to grow.

Sometimes in nurseries a variety is grafted onto a super-dwarf stock and a columnar crown is created. The branches of such trees are, as it were, pressed against the trunk. In the garden, an apple tree can grow in a small area, as long as it is not in the shade.

Fruits can be set by self-pollination, but the yield will be low. In order for the tree to bear fruit in full force, it is necessary to plant nearby apple trees of the following varieties: Melba, Suislepskoe or White filling.

The variety responds well to feeding. So, with the annual application of mineral fertilizers, an excellent result is obtained. The tree will easily tolerate negative influences from the outside and give good yields.

Lingonberry differs from other varieties in that the apple tree is not damaged in severe frosts. It tolerates temperatures up to -30 degrees well, without destructive consequences for the tree. And it does not die with sudden temperature changes in winter, which are often observed recently. It is not damaged by late frosts in spring.

The Brusnichnoye variety is resistant to scab, even with prolonged rains. But it is often exposed to other fungal and viral diseases. Can be damaged by pests typical of fruit trees. To obtain a high yield and its good preservation, it is necessary to timely treat trees from diseases and pests with pesticides.

Variety Brusnichnoe is well suited for growing on personal plots and on small farms. The apple tree does not take up much space, but at the same time many beautiful, aromatic, tasty apples grow on the trees. They are good for both fresh consumption and home canning. A short tree covered with bright red fruits will perfectly decorate any garden and become the pride of its owner. And resistance to adverse weather conditions allows you to grow Lingonberry even in the harsh climate of the Urals and Siberia, which is a storehouse of vitamins for residents of the northern regions.