Apple tree Streyfling

The Streifling variety was developed by Baltic breeders and quickly became popular. Most often it was planted in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia - both in the south and in the north. This variety has many advantages, for which gardeners are very fond of it.

Visually, an apple tree of this variety looks like this:

• an adult tree can grow from 7 to 8 meters, the size can be slightly adjusted by pruning the crown;

• the crown is of a powerful type, rather spreading, the width is equal to the height of the tree or slightly more;

• branches of the skeletal type, strong, powerful, grow at right angles, but hang down to the edges;

• the shape of the crown resembles an inverted container;

• dense crown due to intensively growing shoots;

• the foliage is large, the veins are very developed, so the leaf bends;

• the surface of the leaf is wrinkled, pubescent on the back, green, green-white on the back;

• the sheet is fastened at right angles.

Like any variety of apple trees, Streifling has its advantages:

• develops for a long time;

• high yield;

• excellent tasting qualities;

• well transported, the appearance is very aesthetic;

• immunity is good, it recovers quickly.

But there are also disadvantages that are important to know before planting a tree:

• very powerful, spreading crown, you need a lot of space;

• the term of fruiting is late, the frequency is different;

• drought does not tolerate well.

The tree of this variety grows and develops for many years, decades. It reaches an adult state only after the 15th birthday, or even much later. Therefore, the fruiting period is late. Fruiting cyclically, irregularly, the first full harvest is removed no earlier than 8 years. The variety is of autumn type and is harvested in September. The tree is not self-fertile, so planting of pollinators is recommended - 1 pollinator per 3 plants.

High yield, minimum - 100 kg per tree. On average, from one hectare harvested from 150 to 180 centners. If you follow all the conditions of agricultural technology and under good climatic conditions, the apple tree bears even more fruits.

The size of the fruits is average, closer to small, the mass of one apple varies from 90 to 170 g. If the summer is sunny and the agricultural technology is at the level, the fruits can be larger. Visually, the fruits have the following characteristics:

• the shape is round, regular, with a slight narrowing, sometimes asymmetrical apples;

• ribbing is not always found, it is not easy to feel it, there is a side seam;

• the skin is golden, acquires a yellowish tone in maturity, plus a pinkish-red blush;

• the blush on a ripe apple occupies a large area;

• the skin is thin, smooth and durable;

• ripe apples have a white-gray bloom, subcutaneous points are not always found and are small in size;

• with increasing maturity, the blush becomes apparent.

The pulp of the fruit is very juicy and has a fine-grained structure. The taste of the fruit is excellent, the apples are sweet, refreshing, and there is a pleasant sourness. The aftertaste is spicy, small notes of clove are felt. The tasting score is very decent - 4.5 points.The vitamin composition is also impressive, fruits contain a lot of amino acids, vitamins, microelements:

• pectin;

• manganese;

• iodine;

• magnesium;

• calcium;

• zinc.

In order for an apple tree of this variety to develop well and bear fruit well, you need to start with the correct planting. In summer, Streyfling is not planted; it is better to do this in autumn and spring. Autumn planting is great for southern regions, chernozem soils. In winter, the seedling takes root well, and in spring it begins to grow well. The best time for autumn planting is the first half of October. In the spring, the tree is best planted in the northern regions.

When planting in autumn, the place is prepared in advance - in September: a hole is dug up to 1 m in diameter and about 70 cm deep. Fertile soil is combined with compost and organic fertilizers. A stake is dug in and a seedling takes root, the roots are straightened, 3 liters of water are poured in. Then the prepared soil mixture is sprinkled on top.

Spring disembarkation takes place differently, the hole is made a week before the process. A hole about 60 cm is dug into the depths, up to a meter wide. All other manipulations are identical to the autumn ones. The day before planting, place the tree in water so that the root system is saturated with water. The tree needs more moisture in the spring.

To avoid problems in growing, you need to avoid such mistakes:

• give up adults and large seedlings, they take root worse;

• in no case plant a tree in unprepared soil;

• do not add mineral compounds, otherwise the roots will be damaged.

In addition, it is very important to organize proper plant care.

Moisturizing

This tree does not tolerate drought well, so watering has a beneficial effect on it. In spring, the tree does not need additional moisture, since there is enough moisture in the ground. But during the ripening period, moisturizing the tree is very important. The procedure is repeated from early summer to mid-autumn. You need to moisturize the apple tree:

• during the formation of shoots, ovary;

• one and a half weeks before harvest;

• after the fruits are harvested;

• in October, subject to warm weather.

If the summer is dry and hot, the amount of water is increased.

Top dressing

During the first year of life, seedlings do not particularly feed, provided that the planting was carried out correctly. The second-year plant is fed with urea in late spring and early summer. A three-year-old tree is fertilized like this:

• urea in late spring;

• at the beginning of summer, nitrophobic;

• at the end of summer with superphosphate, potassium and abundantly moisturize.

Do not overdo it with mineral compositions, as you can spoil the root system.

Pruning

This event is mandatory for the variety, since without crown formation, the growth and development of the tree is disrupted. In the early years, the plant is pruned by about one third. After a couple of years, it is worth starting longline pruning. One tier is 2-3 branches of the skeletal type. The distance between branches should be about 20 cm, between tiers - up to 60 cm. Pruning is carried out every year, but gentle. Do not forget about sanitary pruning, remove damaged, weak shoots every spring.

The immunity of this tree is quite good, but attacks from pests and diseases can harm it. These insects are especially dangerous.

• Aphid. Damages foliage, they curl and dry, unfortunately, attacks come from above, and the tree is tall, which interferes with treatment.

• Leaf roll. Small butterflies during the caterpillar period can seriously damage the health of the apple tree. They eat leaves and fruits.

• Fruit moth. If the attack of this pest is not prevented in time, almost the entire crop can turn out to be wormy.

You can fight insects with special chemical compounds, but this is done either before bud break or immediately after flowering. Bordeaux liquid, insecticidal agents work great. You can also try the treatment with decoctions of dill, onion peels. In the fall, it is important to collect the foliage and burn it, and treat the near-trunk zone with insecticides.

There are also several dangerous diseases that can significantly spoil the development of a tree.

• Scab. Symptoms: green spot on the leaves, blackening. It is necessary to collect and burn the foliage, whitewash the trunk, and spray with Bordeaux liquid.

• Black cancer. The main symptom is the appearance of charredness on the tree. The tree must either be treated at the beginning, or it will die in 2-3 years. The bark is cleaned, everything damaged is cut off, whitewashing is carried out.

• Fruit rot. The fungus manifests itself as brown spots and is treated with fungicidal compounds.