Apple Wellsey

Welsey is a universal, unpretentious culture, easily forgives the mistakes of not quite sophisticated gardeners, is resistant to diseases and pest attacks, is frost-resistant, high-yielding, has accelerated fruiting, excellent taste, and its fruits are stored for a long time.

Such a rich set of positive qualities of the variety is rare, which is the reason for its frequent use in the field of breeding. With the help of Welsey, as the original form, more than 30 species of new varieties of apple trees have been created on Russian soil.

Wealthy came to us from the American continent in the 19th century and by the end of the century became popular among Russian gardeners. Wealthy (or Bogaty) fully justifies its name with a high yield of the variety, which was confirmed by its long-term studies in the conditions of the Michurinsky fruit nursery (Voronezh). The culture is included in the State Register. The variety is also known under other names - Tartu rose, Fertile apple, Abundant, Harvest.

The Welsey tree has an average size of 4-5 m. In young growth, the crowns are broad-pyramidal, spreading, but in the process of growth they gradually acquire rounded shapes with a diameter of 2-3 m, consisting of slightly raised branches with slightly lowered tips. The main branches grow from the trunk at sharp angles, which sometimes causes them to break under the weight of abundant fruit.

Slightly pubescent shoots are of medium thickness and brownish color. They are characterized by an average growth rate. The buds are convex, large, slightly pubescent. Lentils are multiple, medium-sized, rounded.

The leaves are medium or small in size, to a large extent curved, with a slightly curled upper part, rarely located on the shoots. They are dark green in color, with crenate and wavy edges. The petioles are thin, elongated, medium pubescence. Stipules are lanceolate, medium-sized.

The flowers are small, slightly closed, the buds are whitish-pink with purple hues. A variety with medium winter hardiness, highly resistant to scab.

Of the advantages of culture, we note:

• high yield;

• resistance to diseases and pest attacks;
• relatively fast fruiting (4-5 years from the date of planting);
• good frost resistance (up to -25 ° C);
• wonderful taste properties;
• long shelf life (until spring).

The disadvantages include:

• possible recessions in the level of fruiting;
• not entirely satisfactory winter hardiness;
• a decrease in the size of fruits with significant yields;
• possible falling of fruits in the pre-harvest period;
• change in the taste of apples over the years.

It has a mixed type of fruiting, with numerous "sessile" fruit bags. The variety begins to bear fruit in the 5th year of growth, and in favorable conditions - 4 years after planting. The flowering process usually starts in May, while the fruits ripen by September. Fruiting is abundant.

The plant begins to correspond to removable conditions for fruit ripeness in central Russia from the third decade of September. The reliability of fixing apples to trees is not very high.Therefore, a week's delay in picking can lead to shedding of the fruit. On average, the consumer range lasts until the end of February. With a lack of moisture in the storage facilities, the fruits wither quickly.

Welsey is a high-yielding variety. Under favorable conditions, a record 275 kg of fruit per tree is obtained. The average yield is about 200 kg per tree.

Fruits of winter or autumn (in warm regions) ripening, medium or smaller, turnip or flattened-rounded configuration, even (chiseled). The color in the period of removal is yellowish-green, and in the period of consumer maturity - golden shades. The cover color during the period of removal is in the form of dark red stripes on a reddish background. Subcutaneous spots are clearly visible.

The skin is not thick, firm, even. The peduncle is elongated, not thick. The funnel is deep, conical. The saucer is not wide, deep. Closed cup. The heart is small, the seed voids are closed. Seeds are pointed, dark brownish in color.

The pulp is whitish-greenish, often sometimes with reddish veins. The taste is sour-sweet with an unobtrusive and refined aroma. By tasting standards, the fruits correspond to the level of 3.9-4.2 points. The palatability of apples varies greatly with weather conditions, the characteristics of the tree and the quality of agricultural care. Under unfavorable conditions the taste of apples is somewhat bland and herbaceous.

Chemical composition of apples:

• sugar - 10.1%;
• titratable acids - 0.61%;
• ascorbic acid - 10.2 mg / 100 g;
• P-active ingredients - 185.1 mg / 100 g;
• pectins - 10.5%.

The fruits are used fresh and as raw materials for the production of juices. The mass of one apple varies between 90-120 g.

The fruits of the variety do not pose a danger to patients with gastrointestinal diseases, disorders of the endocrine system, and are useful for people adhering to a diet.

Planting apple trees is standard (in spring or autumn). With a deep location of groundwater, a hole is prepared with a depth of about 70 cm and a diameter of 1 m. The place for landing is chosen well-lit and without drafts. The soils should be loamy or sandy (most ideal).

Deepening the root collar is not recommended; it should be located about 5-7 cm from the soil surface.

The variety is demanding for watering (we focus on weather conditions). The average frequency of watering is once every 10 days. Watering should be done abundantly, followed by loosening to ventilate the roots.

The pruning process is a current procedure performed annually from the first year of tree growth. This is done with the aim of optimal formation of tree crowns. To maintain a high level of yield, the variety is also subjected to rejuvenating pruning. Why eliminate dried, aged or deformed twigs. By shortening the branches, you can prevent them from breaking.

Self-fertility of culture is the most important factor affecting the yield both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this sense, the variety practically does not depend on weather conditions, as well as on the intensity of the "work" of bees, which traditionally pollinate a number of apple varieties. In other words, Wellsie trees are absolutely independent, their condition, the degree of yield and its quality side are the result of the professionalism and diligence of gardeners.

The variety is characterized by a certain unpretentiousness when growing. However, this quality does not at all indicate the possibility of avoiding feeding. Traditionally, slurry, bird excrement, solutions containing wood ash and some trace elements that stimulate tree growth and regulate the level of fruiting are used for this. Top dressing is done several times a year. In this case, it is important to focus on the characteristics of the general condition of the tree.