Apple tree Spartan

When planting apple seedlings, the gardener wants to see a tree on his site that gives a high yield, which can be stored until spring. One of these is the Canadian apple variety Spartan, which has been massively grown in Russia over the past 30 years.

For many years in a row, Canadian breeders have been working on the development of an apple tree that will be grown on an industrial scale, give high yields and do not require special growing conditions. Almost 100 years ago, such a variety was bred - this is Spartan. Two varieties were taken as a basis - Yellow Newtown and Mackintosh. The Spartan apple tree was brought to the territory of our country in the late 1980s. The variety quickly gained popularity as it adapts well to climatic conditions and soil.

The Spartan apple tree is a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of 4-5 meters, with a rounded lush crown, burgundy branches and a powerful root system. The center conductor of the trunk is steeply sloped. It belongs to the class of late varieties with incredibly tasty fruits that retain their taste until spring. The tree looks especially beautiful during the flowering and fruiting period, since both flowers and fruits are characterized by a bright color.

The fruit crop has excellent characteristics, so even a beginner can cope with planting and growing it. Along with the standard characteristics, this apple variety has many features: abundant fruiting, high content of nutrients, resistance to diseases and pest infestations, quick establishment in the soil, good taste of fruits and shelf life.

The disadvantages of the variety include not very high frost resistance and the need for systematic crown pruning.

The flowering period of the tree is quite long - from mid-May to the second half of June. The flowers of the apple tree are large, white with a pink rim, emitting an incredibly sweet aroma. The fruiting period begins in the second half of September, and the very first apples can be tasted at 4-5 years of tree growth.

Fruiting is concentrated on the ringlets. Ripening of apples occurs almost simultaneously. It is characteristic that the fruits do not crumble, even if they are not collected on time, maintaining their integrity, since they have a dense stalk, which is important if the culture is grown on an industrial scale. The tree bears fruit annually.

The ideal environment for the growth of Spartan seedlings is considered to be the Central and Central Black Earth regions of the Russian Federation, as well as the Moscow region. In Ukraine, the variety adapts well in the central and southeastern regions. It is not recommended to grow the variety in regions with harsh winters, since the culture is not very frost-resistant.

The yield indicators of the species are very high. On average, 150 kg of fruit can be harvested from one adult tree per fruiting season. The keeping quality of the fruits is good (up to 200 days), apples can be stored under the right conditions until March-April.Before long-term storage, it is not recommended to wash the fruit or remove its natural waxy film, which has a protective function.

Apples are characterized by medium size (weight about 100 g), neat round-conical shape without pronounced ribbing. The taste of the fruit is rich, sweet, practically without sourness. The Spartan apple is characterized by an interesting color - a light yellow background with a bright red blush, covered with a waxy bloom, which gives a purple hue. The aroma of the fruit is memorable - fruity-sweet, and the pulp is juicy and crunchy, hidden under the dense skin.

Planting of seedlings is carried out in a previously prepared area - cleaning from weeds, moistening, fertilizing, digging, necessary to ensure good air permeability. The site should be well lit or located in a moderately shaded place with remote groundwater. Drafts are contraindicated for wood. The optimal soil is loam with neutral acidity. In addition, the soil must be fertile. Seedlings are planted at a distance of 3-4.5 meters. The best season is spring, and in the fall preparatory procedures are carried out.

The Spartan variety is self-fertile, therefore it bears fruit perfectly without extraneous trees. In addition, the tree is an excellent pollinator for other apple species.

Top dressing of this variety is carried out in 5 stages - when the buds open (humus), during the formation of buds (chicken droppings and mullein tincture), at the end of flowering (solution of potassium and sodium), during the ripening of fruits (humate) and at the end of fruiting ( superphosphates and potassium sulfide). In addition, the fruit crop loves organic fertilizers.

This apple variety does not differ in high winter hardiness, withstanding frosts down to -15 ... 20 degrees, therefore it needs additional insulation. After the last harvest, it is necessary to water the tree abundantly, dig up the soil and apply a layer of peat. The tree trunk is insulated with burlap or spruce branches. During heavy snowfall, it is recommended to make a small snow slide around the trunk. Small seedlings are tilted to the ground and set in wooden boxes, which are harvested in early spring.

The variety has good immunity to many diseases and pests, so the tree is reliably protected from powdery mildew, scab, bacterial cancer and many fungal infections.

According to gardeners and farmers, the apple variety Spartan is bountiful harvests, incredibly tasty and juicy apples with good keeping quality, as well as unpretentious care. Commercial apple farmers report excellent transport without significant losses, ease of storage at the correct temperature, and visual appeal of the fruit.

Gardeners point to ease of care, which does not require special skills and knowledge, high taste of apples, as well as the versatility of fruits, which are recommended for fresh consumption, for canning, drying, as a delicious filling for baking.