Apple tree Pink Lady

There are varieties that are aimed at technical and commercial cultivation. The main features of these varieties are excellent transportability and long shelf life. The Pink Lady apple variety belongs to just such varieties.

In 1979, Australian breeder L. Crips introduced a new late-ripening apple variety. The varieties Golden Delicious and Lady Williams were taken as a basis. The resulting hybrid was named the Pink Lady (literal translation into Russian). In the market, seedlings can be found under both names.

The thermophilic plant first gained its popularity in Australia, England and the western part of Europe, and only after some time did the variety reach Russia.

A feature of this variety is that the hybrid is too thermophilic. The apple tree will not be able to acclimatize in all regions of Russia. The tree grows only up to 2.5-3 m, belongs to semi-dwarf crops. Gardeners often grow the variety on dwarf rootstocks.

The crown is conical, but its shape may be different: here a lot depends on the initial formation of the crown. Abundant thickening of the branches. Skeletal branches are thick, curved. The lower ones extend from the trunk at an acute angle, and those that grow at the top - at a right angle. The tree is of medium growth. Since it is small, the seedlings are planted at a distance of 0.5-1 m from each other.

The flowers are large, 5 cm in diameter. There are 4 petals on the flower; during the period of full maturity, they acquire a deep pink color.

The positive aspects include the fact that the fruits are distinguished by good transportability. This is the most important feature of the hybrid. A stable and annual harvest is noted, the compactness of the crown, which is convenient to care for and prune it. Many gardeners also note the good taste of the fruit.

The disadvantages include the fact that the apple tree cannot survive too severe frosts. Therefore, the growing region is not particularly extensive. Fruiting occurs only for 15 years.

The variety belongs to the late winter varieties. Flowering begins in May, but harvesting takes place in several stages. The first wave occurs at the end of September. The apples are a little unripe, but ready to eat. Removable maturity occurs by mid-November.

For a semi-dwarf tree, the yield for the Pink Lady apple tree is very high. From one tree, you can remove from 30 to 50 kg of apples.

The fruits are round-conical in shape. By weight, they are 180-200 g. By the color of apples, during ripening, they are yellow-green, but as they are fully ripe, they acquire a characteristic pink blush. It can go into a rich dark red hue.

The rind, although dense, is still thin. Gloss and shine are present on the surface, and a wax coating can also be found. The pulp is juicy, tender, slightly dense. In terms of taste, apples are dominated by sugar content, notes of vanilla and wild berries are felt.

In a properly prepared place, apples can be stored for up to 8-9 months.

In order for the yield to be high, it is necessary to take into account some agrotechnical aspects. The soil should be chosen neutral acidity, loamy or sandy. There should be no accumulation of water in the chosen place, since the apple tree does not like too wet soil. It is not worth planting it near water bodies or in places where groundwater flows.

It is also worth remembering that this hybrid in the southern regions should be planted in autumn, in September. The roots will get stronger before winter. But when planting in spring, the seedling will not have enough moisture for development. In the western regions, on the contrary, it is worth planting seedlings in the spring so that the roots get stronger and can normally overwinter the cold winter.

It is worthwhile to draw up a watering schedule. Much will depend on weather conditions, mulch availability. If there is no mulch, then after each watering it will be necessary to loosen the soil and remove weeds. Termination of mulching is necessary at a time when the tree begins to bear its first fruits.

The crown should be formed immediately after planting the seedling in the ground. He cut off 3 kidneys on the central conductors. In subsequent years, skeletal branches are pruned to form the required crown appearance. Periodically, for prophylaxis, branches are cut, which begin to grow in the middle of the crown. Dry branches or those damaged by disease are removed.

The flower stalks of the Pink Lady apple tree are sterile, therefore it is necessary to plant pollinators on the site with the same ripening periods of the peduncles. These can be Golden Delicious, Dolgo (Paradise), Gala or Virginia crab varieties. Many gardeners point out that planting at least two varieties of pollinator is essential for better pollination.

This apple variety is intended for cultivation in warm southern regions. In other cases, you will have to cover the trunk for the winter.

To begin with, the trunk is whitewashed: from the ground to the first lower branches.This will create a small layer, it will cover any small cracks that pests can enter. Then the trunk is insulated with agrofiber. At a distance of 15 cm around the trunk, 3 pegs are driven in, around the pegs are wrapped with roofing material. The resulting space is covered with sawdust. As soon as the first snow falls, it must be tamped around the pegs. This will create another layer.