Apple tree winter beauty

Among the fruit crops in garden plots, the apple tree is a clear leader. She decorates the garden, bears tasty, healthy fruits, more often than not, it is not particularly whimsical in terms of care. Among apple trees, the Winter Beauty variety takes pride of place. It is one of the most popular varieties among amateur and professional gardeners. It is successfully grown in the southern and northern regions of our country. Despite the unpretentiousness, there are a number of features that must be taken into account when growing trees of this variety.

This variety owes its name to winter hardiness, Winter Beauty easily tolerates cold up to minus 35 degrees. The apple tree of this species is attributed to the fast-growing autumn ripening period. Due to its good yield, the variety is in demand among gardeners of all levels. This variety was bred by Chelyabinsk breeders, who combined the varieties Antonovka ordinary and Red Delicious. The visual characteristics are as follows:

• a tree of a medium-sized type, stretches as much as possible up to 5 or 6 meters;

• the crown is round, conical, branches of a spreading type;

• the density of the crown is average;

• branches of the skeletal type are directed at an angle of 60 degrees to the base, the view is not particularly fluffy;

• foliage has a dark green color, oblong, ovoid shape;

• leaves are not pubescent, with a smooth surface.

This variety has its own advantages that make it very popular:

• rather large fruits;

• excellent tasting qualities;

• perfectly stored for a long time;

• excellent frost resistance;

• strong immunity, especially to typical types of scab.

As for the shortcomings, they are insignificant, for example, in a number of regions the plant is susceptible to certain diseases. In particular, powdery mildew is dangerous.

The apple tree of this variety bears fruit throughout its life - from 50 to 70 years. The variety is fast-growing, the first high-quality harvest can be harvested as early as 4 years, and if the propagation method is cuttings, apples appear already 2 years after planting. The fruits ripen in about one period, this happens in the fall. The timing varies depending on the growing climate of the apple tree. It can be either September or October. It is recommended to harvest quickly, as this variety is prone to shedding. The Winter Beauty is kept in the cold for a long time, but in the cellar the period is shorter than in the refrigerator.

The yield level of this variety is noted as high. On average, about 150 kg of fruit can be harvested from one tree.

The tasting score of the fruits of this variety ranges from 4.3 to 4.35 points, which is a very good indicator. The taste of apples has notes of sourness and sweetness. The pulp is light in color, very juicy, with a strong typical aroma. It is not for nothing that the variety has the word "beauty" in its name. Its fruits are distinguished by visual geometric correctness:

• conical shape;

• the size is large, sometimes medium;

• the weight of one fruit can reach from 160 to 175 grams, rarely more;

• the crop is uniform in size and appearance;

• skin color is green-yellow, there is a bright red tint in the form of a blush;

• points of the subcutaneous type are not observed;

• the skin is smooth, pleasant, slightly oily to the touch.

Apples of this variety are very juicy, fine-grained pulp. The chemical composition is rich in terms of vitamins and minerals.

First of all, it is important to plant the apple tree in the correct area. It should be well lit, the soil is preferable floodplain or loamy, stagnant water should be excluded. Planting is carried out in the spring, April is great. Landing Algorithm:

• pruning of branches is performed;

• a hole is created into which humus, humus, saltpeter, urea are introduced;

• a seedling is installed, the roots are straightened, the neck should rise 7 cm above the ground;

• roots are not pruned.

In addition to proper planting, it is important to follow basic agrotechnical rules.

• Watering and feeding. It is performed about once a week, when the buds are forming, the frequency of watering is increased. Fertilizers without nitrogen are applied in October.

• Pruning. This procedure, in order to form a crown, is carried out every spring before the start of sap flow. The purpose of pruning is to leave strong branches and remove weak, damaged ones. If you ignore this stage of care, the yield will decrease, the size of the fruits will be smaller, and the risks of diseases will increase significantly. Even when planting, the seedling needs to be cut by about a third, so that the crown is laid faster. In addition, you need to watch out for the branches that fall to the soil along with the apples - they need to be removed. You need to thin out the tree annually.

• Pollination. Since the variety belongs to the self-infertile type, it is important to plant pollinating apple trees, among which Melba and Streyfling are optimal.

To reduce the frequency of fruiting of this variety, in the second year of the plant's life, all flowers must be cut off. And subsequently, about half of the fruits are removed at the green stage.

The immunity of this variety is resistant to major diseases. For example, scab, powdery mildew, fluorosis are extremely rare. And also the Winter Beauty is well resistant to fungus and insect attacks, such as aphids, apple moth, silkworm. It is recommended to whitewash the trunks with lime to scare off rodents - this procedure is carried out in the spring. When the first leaves appear, it is worth treating the tree from scab, and after the inflorescences are tied up, it is necessary to carry out treatment from insects.