Apple tree Zhigulevskoe

Variety Zhigulevskoe is a representative of the autumn group of apple trees in terms of fruit ripening. In addition, the fruits are perfectly and long stored, without losing their taste, which is the reason for the popularity of the variety among gardeners.

The apple trees of the Zhigulevskoye variety were the result of the selection work of the scientist S.P. Kedrin. In the course of crossing 2 varieties - the domestic Borovin and the American Wagner prize - the breeder in 1936 obtained an excellent result - a late-autumn high-yielding apple tree. Since 1949 Zhigulevskoye has been undergoing a cycle of state-grade tests, and in 1965 it was registered in the State Register.

The trees are vigorous (up to 3 m in height) with wide-pyramidal or highly circular crown configurations, acquired at the beginning of fruiting. The crowns are slightly thickened, which contributes to good ventilation and better illumination of branches, leaves and fruits with sunlight. This feature is one of the advantages of the apple tree, as it increases the degree of scab resistance. The branches of the trees are straight, slightly raised. Shoots of a dark brown color, thickened, slightly pubescent.

Leaves are ovoid with slightly curled tapered tips. The edges of the leaf plates are jagged, and the leaves themselves resemble the shape of a boat. The flowers are large and white, blooming early (flowering begins in the second decade of May), therefore, during flowering, they may be susceptible to spring frosts. The variety has mastered the best qualities of its parents: a high degree of yield and early maturity, characteristic taste, the property of apples to store useful qualities almost until February, rapid growth and maturity of the tree, resistance to diseases, relative unpretentiousness and resistance to cold weather.

Of the advantages of the variety, we note:

• high productivity, the peak of which occurs at the age of 10;
• rapid growth of trees and a good level of early maturity;
• excellent appearance of apples;
• excellent taste;
• scab resistance;
• synchronous ripening of fruits;
• ripe apples hold firmly on the branches and are not prone to falling off - it is convenient to harvest the crop;
• shelf life within 2–3 months without loss of taste.

Minuses:

• average degree of winter hardiness (from Wagner);
• the possibility of getting sunburn;
• fruiting of old trees occurs after 12 seasons, the fruits become smaller;
• susceptibility to moth attacks.

Apple trees begin to bear fruit in the 5-6 year of growth. Harvesting is done selectively 3-4 times per season, since the ripening time is extended.The term for harvesting fruits begins in the first decade of September and lasts until the end of the month; in warm regions, the fruits are removed in August. The duration of the consumer interval is from the 3rd decade of September to December, less often to January. Ripening of fruits occurs synchronously, and the harvesting process is divided into 2 possible stages:

• harvesting of fruits - from the last decade of August to the beginning of September, and the final ripening of fruits occurs 1.5 weeks after the first harvest;
• a good level of consumer maturity - the third decade of September.

All terms are influenced by the peculiarities of climatic conditions.

Zhigulevskoe is grown in the Central, Central Black Earth, North Caucasian, Middle Volga, Lower Volga regions, and also in the form of stanza - in the East Siberian regions.

The early maturity of the variety is moderate. From one tall tree, you can get about 250 kg of harvest. If the plant is up to 3 m tall, then the yield will be slightly less. Dwarf specimens give up to 10 kg of fruit 2 years after planting.

The fruits of the variety are large, some gain weight up to 350 g, the average weight of apples is in the range of 120–350 g. Fruits are round in shape, often wide ribbed, full-ripe, mostly dark reddish shades, slightly juicy, with a sweet-sour taste. Tasting score - 3.8. The peel of the fruit is strong, brilliantly oily. The seed pots are closed and the nests resemble a bulbous configuration. The fleshy part is creamy, delicate, grainy.

2-3 years after planting, the main type of tree care is weeding of near-stem areas and regular watering. A productive way is mulching and planting green manure with their further digging into the ground.

Watering is carried out once a month, in amounts corresponding to the age of the tree (4 years - 4 buckets). For mature plants, you need at least 4 waterings per season. Relevant watering performed before the opening of the buds, after 20 days after flowering, 20-28 days before harvesting the fruits, as well as during leaf fall. Watering during the harvest is not recommended, since the result of such watering is the appearance of cracks in the fruits and a decrease in their keeping life.

From 2 years of tree growth, activities aimed at forming the crown begin. To this end, diseased branches and branches below the main branch, vertically located, are eliminated, last year's branches (not all) are made shorter, which leads to the stimulation of branching and restriction of tree growth. The plant soon enters the fruiting period, its winter hardiness and lifespan increase.

In addition to formative pruning, sanitary pruning is also relevant, involving the elimination of diseased, dried, deformed branches. Pruning must be followed by covering the wounds with garden pitch.

Zhigulevskoe is not a self-fertile plant that needs cross-pollination. Other trees should grow next to it. Productive neighbors for Zhigulevsky are early autumn and late autumn trees.

For productive growth, the variety needs stable feeding. Young growth is fed with urea in spring, in May-June the tops are sprayed with sodium humate, and in September they are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Mature trees are fed 4 times per season: in the 3rd decade of April - with urea; at the beginning of flowering - with full-fledged mineral fertilization, at the end of flowering - with nitrophosphate and potassium humate. The final addition is made at the end of the harvest using phosphorus-potassium compounds. As a preventive measure against harmful insects and diseases, root shoots are removed, near-stem areas are dug up, and trunks are whitewashed in autumn.

The frost resistance of the variety is medium. Rapid temperature drops and long thaws lead trees to stress. The degree of frost resistance is determined by 2 main criteria:

• the level of adaptive qualities to winter;
• the degree of recoverability of places affected by low temperatures.

With quality care (proper shelter and competent spring pruning), trees develop and bear fruit excellently in various regions. Autumn preparatory measures consist in the elimination of damaged areas, processing them with garden pitch, wrapping boles with roofing material, other materials or spruce branches to protect them from freezing.