Apple tree Gala

Among the popular varieties of apple trees, Gala stands out for its attractive appearance and good taste. It is grown for both personal use and sales.

The tree is characterized by medium growth (3-4 m), broadly oval crown of medium thickening, strong branches.

Here are some of the benefits of the variety:

• apples have an interesting dessert and delicate taste;
• fruits can be stored for a long time;
• trees are extremely productive, they begin to give a bountiful harvest early enough;
• due to the versatility of the fruits, they can be consumed fresh, as well as used to prepare blanks;
• apples have a marketable appearance, they can be transported both short and long distances.

But there are also disadvantages:

• winter hardiness of the variety is at an average level;
• unstable frequency of fruiting;
• it is necessary to carry out work on the rationing of ovaries;
• if the harvest is large, the fruits are reduced in size.

Medium fruit trees, late autumn. Fruiting begins at 6 years after planting the seedling in the ground. If the stock is dwarf, you can see the first fruits for 3 years. Apples are harvested in the second decade of September.

Gala is grown in different countries, it grows well and allows you to collect bountiful harvests in almost any territory. In Russia, the culture is widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe parts with a temperate climate.

Due to its yield, the variety is extremely popular in production. Mature plants are capable of producing about 55-79 kg of fruit each year.

The apples are of a greenish-yellow base color, while the integumentary color is a striped-blurred blush of orange-red shades, located throughout the fruit. Fruits are round, weighing on average about 115-145 g. The skin is quite dense, tender and not too thick. The pulp is juicy, with a moderately sweet taste.

The fruits do not fall off the trees and can be stored for about 80 days. They have a universal purpose, therefore they are used fresh, for cooking jam and compotes. Baby food is also prepared from apples.

In order for the plant to actively grow and remain healthy, you should properly care for it and know about all the nuances of growing the variety.

The seedling is transferred to open ground in mid-April or in the fall, a month before the arrival of frost. 30 days before planting, a suitable hole is prepared: a hole is dug with a diameter of 60-80 cm and a depth of 50 cm. Mineral and organic dressings are placed there. Any soil can be used for planting.

Gala is a partially self-fertile variety that requires pollinators to be planted next to it. The best options are:

• Kate;
• Elstar;
• James Grieve.

Fertilizers are applied 4 times per season in several stages.

1. The first time the plant is fertilized during the period of bud formation. Fertilizers containing nitrogen, humus or ammonium nitrate are used.
2. Subsequent feeding is carried out in the summer (first decade of June). Potassium and phosphorus are introduced, as well as manure, urea or chicken droppings.
3. After that, the trees are fed in late summer or early autumn.
4. The last time the fertilizer is applied is before the onset of winter. For this, phosphorus and potassium additives, humus, peat and compost are used.

Plants have an average resistance to frost, tolerate short-term low temperatures normally, but their lowering affects the culture for a long time.

To save yourself from problems and protect Gala from diseases and harmful insects, the following preventive measures should be taken:

• in the spring, when there is snow, the trunk and large branches of the lower tier must be whitened;
• before blooming the buds of the apple tree, spray the crown well using a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid;
• after the flowering phase, you need to repeat the previous steps, but use copper oxychloride.

It is important to be aware of the pests that can reduce the yield of trees.

1. Weevil. It can eat out flowers, whereby it will significantly reduce the yield of the apple tree. It is important to start fighting the insect in a timely manner, because otherwise the females can lay eggs, and it will be much more difficult to remove the pests from the apple tree. The most effective way is to cover the soil under the apple tree with a cloth and shake the tree. Bugs that have fallen on the litter should be destroyed. Another option for getting rid of pests is treating the plant with the "Calypso" preparation. The tool does not harm bees, so gardeners who plant trees next to the apiary can safely use it.
2. Fruit moth. The insect can eat away fruits, causing significant damage to the crop. In the spring, you should arrange a trapping belt. For this, burlap is used, which is soaked in advance with milk whey. You can also spray trees with fresh tincture of wormwood, which is excellent at repelling pests.
3. Leafworm. Harmful to buds and foliage. Apple trees are sprayed with infusions of tomato tops or wormwood over the leaves.An excellent option for dealing with leaf rollers is the Lufox remedy.

Many believe that the Gala variety is capable of producing a good, beautiful and high-quality harvest even for beginners who do not know how to properly grow apple trees. The abundance of fruiting is noted, some write that there is enough fruit both for themselves and for sale. From one tree, you can collect enough fruits for fresh consumption and for harvesting for the winter. Apples are well stored, eaten for a long time.