Apple tree Jonagold

There are fruit trees that do not require any special care, so it is a pleasure to grow them in your own garden. These include the Jonagold apple tree with fruits of remarkable taste. In order for it to bring a decent harvest, you need to know the rules of breeding.

It is known from the history of the variety that Jonagold is an American selection. The variety was obtained by crossing Golden Delicious and Jonathan.

The trees of this species grow in height from 3 to 5 meters. The crown is formed broadly oval, during the fruiting period it becomes spherical. The branches are at a steep angle.

This is not a self-fertile variety, suitable for pollination:

• Gloucester;
• Champion;
• Jonathan and other apple trees.

The trees are vigorous, therefore they require mandatory pruning every year.

In the Jonagold variety, gardeners are attracted by the following advantages:

• good productivity;
• fruits retain their attractiveness after long transportation;
• apples can be stored for a long time;
• amazing taste.

The disadvantages include poor resistance to scab and powdery mildew.

Fruits ripen in autumn, they can be removed from the tree at the end of September. The tree begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting the seedlings.

Jonagold is grown in Belgium, the Netherlands and Ukraine. Today our Russian gardeners are also trying to master the apple tree.

If we talk about the yield of the described variety, then it is at the level of 40-60 kg of apples from one tree.

Fruits can be eaten fresh, compotes, preserves and other derived products can be prepared from them. On apples, it is difficult not to notice an orange-red blush, which diverges in stripes along the green-yellow peel of the apple. The fruits are round in shape, their weight can vary from 170 to 220 grams.

Apples of medium thickness have a smooth peel with a glossy sheen. The pulp is juicy and dense. It crunches when bitten.

The fruits can lie in suitable conditions for up to five months, and if put in the refrigerator, then up to seven. The taste can be described as harmonious, sweet with a slight sourness and slightly winey aroma.

There are many ways to grow an apple tree. While sowing seeds seems like the easiest breeding method, the result is often uncertain as the seeds carry the genetic information of two different varieties. The seeds of the described apple tree must undergo a stratification process, which includes storing them in humid conditions and immersing them in the cold. Only then can a young tree be grown from them.

Other breeding methods are budding and layering, which are widely used commercially. If it is difficult to grow a seedling on your own, then you can buy a one-year-old apple tree from the nursery. The seedling should be 1.0-1.8 m tall and have a good root system.

It is best to plant apple trees in early spring. For best results, soak roots in water 24 hours before planting. To plant a tree, dig a hole 60 cm deep, about twice the width of the root system.

Loosen the soil of the sides and bottom of the hole before spreading out the roots. When the soil covers the rhizome, it is worth tamping it well to remove air pockets.

Mulch the base of young apple trees with straw or wood chips to prevent weed growth and reduce moisture evaporation. If you are planting a tree on a lawn, it is best to remove the sod surrounding the apple tree as it will compete with it for water.

For the first three to five years, grass should not be allowed to grow around the base as it will quickly deplete moisture in the soil and inhibit growth.

Jonagold does not bear fruit on its own and needs a pollination partner or another tree in an area planted within 30 m. For best results, plant a second apple tree nearby. It is optimal to plant three varieties on the plot, which can guarantee successful pollination.

Apple trees need fertilization. Nutrients are very important because if one or more is not enough in the soil, the tree will not grow and bear fruit well, it will be more susceptible to disease.

This variety requires a total of 13 nutrients - some more, others less. These nutrients can be divided into two main categories:

• macronutrients;
• trace elements.

Essential macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S).

Trace minerals include boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chlorine (Cl), and molybdenum (Mo).

Fertilizer labels help determine the amount of nutrients present in commercial fertilizers. Typically, labeling is done to show the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N: P: K). For example, a fertilizer labeled N: P: K 12: 32: 16 represents 12% nitrogen, 32% P2O5, and 16% K2O.

Such mixtures are introduced in early spring and during the fruiting period, but they do not flirt, since an overabundance is also harmful.

The frost resistance of this variety is average.

Among the most common pests affecting apple trees are moth larvae, which invade the fruit, causing worminess. They leave brown, twisting marks under the skin.

Another problem is apple aphid, which feeds on foliage and stems throughout the growing season.

Pesticides can be used but not recommended. Whereas baits and traps are more preferable to purchase to detect and reduce the number of insects. Infestation can be controlled by introducing beneficial insects into the garden, such as ladybugs and lacemakers.

It is also necessary to regularly pick up and destroy the fallen fruit to avoid contamination in the next year.

Voles can gnaw on apple tree trunks all winter when food is scarce. To protect trees during the winter months, remove any vegetation and wrap a cloth around the base.

The variety is susceptible to a variety of diseases.

Apple scab attacks the leaves (causing defoliation in severe cases) and shoots, disfiguring the fruit, while powdery mildew affects the leaves and young shoots and has a very noticeable effect on the yield and quality of the apple tree. In addition, apple ulcer causes damage to branches and stems, and fiery late blight affects flowers, fruits, shoots and branches of apple trees.

All of these diseases are associated with environmental conditions, especially humidity levels. To prevent infestation, it is worth using a fungicide early in the season.