Apple tree Lyubava

Lyubava is an apple variety obtained by crossing the varieties Kitayka late and Pobeda Chernenko. The variety was bred at the Krasnoyarsk fruit growing experimental station. Sometimes seedlings of this apple tree can be found under the name Swan Song.

Apple-tree Lyubava is not used as an ornamental plant. It is characterized by the following external features:

• the crown is round, not very dense, average foliage;

• leaves are elliptical, pointed, slightly wrinkled, convex, glossy surface;

• shoots of medium thickness, rounded, colored red, almost no pubescence;

• flowers are large, white, have a pleasant aroma.

Lyubava belongs to self-fertile varieties, therefore, the following pollinating varieties can be used for pollination:

• Krasnoyarsk sweet;

• Zhivinka;

• Loiko;

• Lantern.

The pluses include frost resistance, long shelf life, high fertility. Among the minuses, it is worth noting poor drought resistance, susceptibility to some diseases, the need for shaping.

Lyubava is a winter-ripening variety. Harvesting maturity begins in the first half of September, and the duration of the consumption period lasts until December 15th. The tree gives first fruits in 7-8 years.

The variety belongs to the high-yielding species, for the 15th year the volume is 47 kg.

Apples are used both for fresh consumption and for processing. Their color is greenish, the shape is flat-rounded, weight - 61-100 g. The taste is sweet and sour with a spicy aftertaste, the flesh is white, juicy, dense. There is a pronounced aroma. Taste properties are estimated at 4.7-4.8 points out of 5. There is a good presentation of apples and keeping quality up to six months.

An important process in the life of the Lyubava apple tree is planting. For good survival, you need to prepare the planting pit in about three weeks, fill the fertilizer and compost on the bottom, and process the seedling itself in Kornevin's solution before planting.

When choosing a site, give preference to sunny flat places with deep groundwater. It is desirable that no other objects be located within a radius of 5 meters. Planting is best done in the fall.

In general, the apple tree of this variety requires classical care, including watering, feeding, pruning. But you should remember about some of the features of cultivation.

1. The variety does not tolerate drought well, and therefore young specimens need frequent watering - every 7-10 days, adult plants - every 3-4 weeks. After irrigation, the trunk circle must be loosened and a layer of mulch must be added.

2. An important aspect when growing Lyubava is its thinning and shaping. Remove overgrowth regularly and do sanitary pruning in the spring and fall.

There is a special fertilization schedule that should be followed:

• in the spring, nitrogen compounds are used;

• in summer - complex mineral mixtures;

• in the fall, organic additives are relevant, they need to be introduced into the trunk circle.

The plant practically does not react to winter frosts, and even in case of freezing, it quickly recovers with the beginning of the new season.

Scab becomes a frequent enemy of the apple tree, however, the presented variety has a high immunity to this ailment. In order to almost guaranteed to protect the tree from diseases, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning in time, remove the carrion in the fall, and provide the plant with favorable conditions. To prevent the formation of wounds and cracks, gardeners recommend whitening the tree for the winter.