Apple Champion

The creators of plant varieties try to make their "offspring" like the maximum number of people. This fully affected the Champion apple tree. But the more urgent is to figure out what she is really capable of.

This apple tree appeared thanks to the efforts of Czech breeders. More precisely, it was created at the experimental station in Golovousi. To obtain the plant, the famous Golden Delicious and Renet Orange Cox were crossed. The main breeding work was completed by 1970. It is noteworthy that the official variety trials took place on the territory of modern Ukraine.

He has an alternative Czech name - Szampion. The height of trees can reach 5 m. They always have a compact oval-shaped crown, with an average degree of thickening. The main part of the branches is characterized by an average level of development; when leaving the trunk, it is at an angle of 50-70 degrees in relation to it.

Practice has shown such weaknesses of the Champion as:

• not too high resistance to frost;
• limited self-pollination (pollinators are almost always needed);
• the likelihood of a fire blight without very careful maintenance.

But they say in favor of the variety:

• graceful appearance of the tree;
• excellent early maturity;
• stable harvesting;
• resistance to dry weather;
• decent immunity to many pathologies.

The champion is one of the winter apple trees. You can usually pick fruits from the branches in the second half of September. Depending on weather conditions, this period sometimes comes a little earlier or a little later. The consumer period is quite long, even reaching the middle of spring. Gardeners can get the first fruits within 3 years after planting the tree.

The champion is zoned for central Russia. It can also be grown in warmer areas of our country. The main condition is that there are no harsh winters. In extreme cases, if they do occur, it is often necessary to cover the plant. There are almost no opportunities for growing in open culture north of the middle lane.

It is quite possible to collect 20-25 kg of fruits from one apple tree. It is worth noting that according to some statements, in especially good years, the harvest reaches 70 and even 110 kg of fruit. What's important is that they are almost the same size.

Apples are characterized by a greenish-yellow color with a blurred blush. The fruit has an average shape between the usual round and oval apple. Its weight can be from 0.18 to 0.2 kg. Other important circumstances:

• the peel is dense and dry, elastic;
• subcutaneous points are few in number, hardly noticeable;
• pleasant dessert taste (sweet with a sour note);
• guaranteed keeping quality from 150 to 180 days;
• no risk of shedding with a normal approach;
• tasting score from 4.5 to 4.7 points.

A champion can grow on one site for 80-100 years. Therefore, the selection of a suitable site should be done as diligently as possible. It is recommended to use well-lit areas facing south, southwest or southeast. The necessary protection from piercing winds is provided by landing in the immediate vicinity of a fence or other obstacle. Suitable as a cover and walls of the house.

You need a light, nutrient-rich soil. Sour or waterlogged land, especially one that remains cold, is of little use for such a task. It is very important to avoid all places where groundwater approaches the surface 1.5 m or closer. The soil must be prepared in September - while the specific planting time does not play a special role. The depth of the planting holes should be 60 cm, and their cross section should be 50 cm.

Part of the dug soil is mixed with:

• superphosphate;
• potassium chloride;
• wood ash;
• rotten humus.

To fertilize the Champion's trees you will need:

• Lobo;
• Alva;
• Idared;
• Pilot;
• Florin;
• Gala;
• Teremok.

It is impossible to achieve a powerful harvest without them. At the initial planting in fertile soil, especially if the planting hole was also saturated properly, such a procedure can be carried out in the 3rd year of development. It is highly recommended to alternate between organic and mineral supplements. Nutrients are applied both under the root and along the leaf. Foliar processing is carried out extremely carefully so that the plant does not get burned.

Of the insects for the apple tree Champion, only the moth is a threat. You can scare away and expel it by dusting it with tobacco dust. It is recommended to carry out at least 2 treatments with an interval of 14 days - until the result is achieved.Wood ash is sometimes used instead of tobacco dust. It is imperative to get rid of fallen leaves - and not bury it, but only burn it.

This apple variety can be affected by:

• rust;
• bacterial burn;
• bitter pitting.

The gardeners' assessments note:

• good, full growth of the tree;
• the ability to do with the usual care, as well as for other fruit crops;
• the taste of fruit is somewhat sour for some people;
• good perspective of drying apples;
• stable and abundant harvest;
• the need to make supports for individual, thinnest branches.