Apple tree Red Delicious

Not all apple trees are suitable for commercial use. There are requirements that must be met primarily by the fruits of fruit trees. Red Delicious is one such variety that can be grown for sale.

The described tree was bred in the United States.

Red Delicious is a medium-sized variety, in which, at the stage of a young seedling, during active growth, the crown acquires an oval or pyramidal shape. When the plant reaches maturity, the shape of the crown changes to wide-rounded or simply round.

The foliage is small, rather medium in size. The shape is oblong oval, the base is rounded, the apex is slightly elongated. The leaves are green and have an attractive sheen.

Numerous ringlets grow on the branches. The shoots are medium in size, the shade is red-brown. There is an impressive pubescence. Shoots can be straight or slightly curved.

Of the many advantages that Red Delicious has, it is necessary to highlight:

• good portability;

• great taste;

• good marketability of apples.

There are also disadvantages - if the plant tolerates short-term frost without difficulty, then prolonged cold negatively affects the Red Delicious apple tree.

The described variety bears fruit regularly. Apples ripen at the end of September, so Red Delicious is a winter variety.

This apple tree grows in the North Caucasus, because climatic conditions are ideal for it here.

The yield is about 100 kg of apples per tree, but only with proper care and the absence of cold weather.

Apples are not used for compotes or jam, they are consumed exclusively fresh. They are round-conical in shape, with a maximum weight of 300 grams.

The fruits have a special aroma, and their pulp pleases with juiciness. It is quite dense, so a crunch is heard when bitten.

After picking apples, they will be able to lie until April.

Red Delicious grows well in a wide variety of soils, from sandy to slightly clayey. But loams are best suited, since such soil retains moisture well. The variety will not yield a large harvest if planted on sandy soil, which is always dry, however, a swamp is not suitable.

The described variety prefers soil with a pH of 6.5.

A sunny area is the main thing that this variety needs. Without the right amount of light, apples will be small, sour, and yields will drop.

As for the soil, it is much easier to change it to suit the needs of the tree. First and foremost, all attention is on drainage. Red Delicious does not like a large accumulation of moisture; rot begins to appear from such conditions of detention. Determining the quality of drainage is not difficult.If rain collects in the garden, and it takes several hours for the water to go away, then the apple trees should be planted on a hill, or high-quality drainage should be organized before planting.

Typically, the described variety likes soil pH, which is neutral. This metric is easy to determine with a test kit. If the soil is acidic, then it is worth adding dolomite lime a few months before planting.

Be sure to mulch the soil with organic materials, such as compost, pine chips, straw, every year to increase the organic matter in the soil and retain moisture.

These trees require regular pruning. When Red Delicious is still a young tree, pruning stuns growth and stays fruit, so it is unnecessary in the early stages of growth other than removing broken or dead branches. You can gently remove buds that grow in unwanted places.

Once the trees have reached fruiting maturity, pruning should become a routine routine. Thinning of the crown is done in early spring or late autumn, when there is no sap flow. All lateral shoots that cross are removed, they begin to compete with the central trunk, diseased and damaged branches. It is advisable to process the tool every time they switch to a new tree, so as not to transfer a possible disease. A solution of common chlorine bleach is suitable.

Pollination is an important factor in the cultivation of apple trees of this species. Red Delicious trees need a different variety nearby so they can exchange pollen and produce fruit. If there are apple trees growing nearby, for example, from neighbors, then there is a high probability that the tree will give the desired harvest.

Pollinators should be no further than 30 meters for the pollen to reach its destination. The presence of nearby bees has a beneficial effect on the pollination process. Some gardeners who grow this variety commercially pay to rent an apiary during the flowering period. Others simply get vaccinated at Red Delicious and solve this problem once and for all.

Fertilizer of 10-10-10 granular type is suitable for Red Delicious. In this version, the top dressing contains a high amount of trace elements necessary for the apple tree while it grows and takes root.

Recently, experts have advised using seaweed-based dressings. They contain a high level of nitrogen (N), which is essential for lush crown growth and fruit quality.

And it is also worth using fertilizers with a high calcium content, since it is he who is responsible for the immunity of the tree, respectively, and for the resistance to diseases.

Equally important is the content of an element such as magnesium in the soil. It takes up a total of 10% of the total amount of ingredients present in 10-10-10 type fertilizers. Magnesium also helps Red Delicious to deal with pests and diseases. The frequency of using the above-described dressings is from 10 to 14.

The variety has average frost resistance.

Pest control is one of the most challenging aspects of caring for Red Delicious. Apple trees of this species are susceptible to fungal diseases and pests. Pruning, timely harvesting of old foliage and fruits is one of the preventive measures in the fight against many problems.