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The variety of varieties of apples, it would seem, makes it easier to choose the right variety. However, it is often the multitude of varieties that creates the problem of choice – which variety is suitable / not suitable, which apples are better? To make the right choice, you must first familiarize yourself in detail with the characteristics of the variety, find out in detail which apple trees take root better in the area when they ripen. The best option is to ask the neighbors what they grow, treat themselves to apples. And for the experiment, you can always plant a few new varieties.
Description
This variety of apples belongs to the winter species. The Zvezdochka apple tree was bred by breeding through the crossing of Lithuanian Pepinka (autumn variety) and Anis (winter variety).
Characteristics of the tree: vigorous, at the beginning of growth it is distinguished by a rounded crown, which, as the apple tree matures, acquires a sprawling and slightly drooping appearance. The basis of the crown is made up of thick skeletal branches. The middle and outer parts of the Asterisk apple tree bear fruit mainly. The fruits are tied mainly on twigs (one-year growth is longer than 15 cm) and spears (growth up to 15 cm).
Apples are of medium size and flattened-round shape. On the light greenish smooth surface of the Asterisk apple, a “blush” of a rich red hue is clearly visible. A distinctive feature of the fruit is a pronounced wax coating. The popularity of the Zvezdochka variety is explained by the pleasant sweet and sour taste of apples. The color of the pulp is green, sometimes a pinkish tint may be present near the skin.
The Zvezdochka variety is best suited for growing in the central regions. It is not recommended to plant in the northern regions, with long and frosty winters.
How to plant and grow an apple tree
Since Asterisk seedlings do not tolerate frosty weather with cold winds, the optimal time for planting a tree is the last days of April-early May. During this period, the soil is already warmed up better, and severe damage from night frosts is already unlikely. And the seedling will quite confidently settle down on the site before the onset of autumn.
This tree requires good lighting, otherwise the development of the tree slows down significantly on shaded lands. Therefore, for laying out the garden, it is preferable to choose the southern, southeastern slopes. Or any open flat place.
Stages of planting seedlings
- A deep hole is dug 40×40 cm in size.
- Organic fertilizers are introduced – peat, ash.
- Apple seedling Asterisk is installed in the center of the pit, the roots must first be carefully straightened. It is highly undesirable to cut the roots of the tree.
- The pit is dug in, and the soil is tightly trampled down. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the root neck of the tree trunk is approximately 6-7 cm above the ground level.
Before planting a seedling, it must be carefully examined – the trunk must be free of damage and signs of illness.
Watering the apple tree
This variety does not tolerate excessive soil moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to equip a ditch around the trunk to drain excess rainwater. It is advisable to periodically weed and loosen the earth.
In the first year of planting, it is advisable to water the Asterisk apple tree several times per season (2-3 buckets). In subsequent years, the number of irrigations can be reduced while simultaneously increasing the volume of liquid poured out (about one and a half to two times). It is necessary to pour water into the near-stem circle. Naturally, in dry times, watering apple trees should be increased.
Equally important is the autumn watering after harvest (provided there is no rain). This measure will help the Asterisk apple tree to endure frosts and preserve the root system of the tree. In addition, this will be a prerequisite for laying fruit buds for the next season. The optimal time for irrigation is the end of September-beginning of October.
tree nutrition
Subject to the presence of fertile soil, the Zvezdochka variety practically does not require top dressing. If it is necessary to add fertilizers, then they begin to do this when planting an asterisk apple seedling: add a mixture of peat with ash, humus, humus. In autumn, complex mineral fertilizers can be used.
Pruning an apple crown
This procedure is carried out to increase the yield of the apple tree, as a disease prevention and to give the tree an aesthetically beautiful shape. It is recommended to carry out the annual formation of the crown of the Asterisk apple tree in early spring (before the first leaves bloom). In the autumn, only dried and old branches or branches are removed. Correct pruning is carried out in two ways: thinning and shortening.
- When thinning, they try to increase the illumination of the tree – they remove shoots that interfere with each other’s growth, shorten the main branch. This procedure allows you to form a crown and is carried out in the spring before the start of sap flow.
- Timely shortening (pinching of branches) is carried out in order to limit the excessive growth of young shoots of the Asterisk apple tree. This procedure is “painless” and does not lead to wound formation. You can start shortening tree branches in mid-August and continue this useful event until mid-autumn.
For the correct formation of the crown of the tree, the first pruning (about 1/3) is carried out after planting the seedling. To show excessive zeal at the same time, one might say, is harmful.
Harvesting
As a rule, the Asterisk apple tree begins to actively bear fruit 4-5 years after planting. Naturally, the yield of different years may differ, which largely depends on weather conditions. On average, one tree yields a crop of 50-100 kg.
A significant drawback of the Zvezdochka variety is a decrease in the size of apples and a deterioration in their taste in adult trees. Regular pruning of apple trees somewhat slows down the aging process of trees.
You can start harvesting in mid-September. Zvezdochka apples ripen during storage. For long-term winter storage, only whole fruits are suitable, without damage, wormholes and scratches. Therefore, it is necessary to pick apples carefully, without jerking.
Boxes and plastic bags are used as containers. Wet apples should not be wiped off, so as not to remove the natural wax layer / coating, which ensures good maturation of Asterisk apples.
How to deal with diseases and pests of apples
Variety Zvezdochka is distinguished by good resistance to diseases and pests. To prevent infection and disease, it is recommended to know about the most common diseases and pests of trees and fruits:
- destroyed occurs most often and is able to hit not only foliage, but also apples. This is a fungal disease that appears as brownish spots on the leaves and fruits. In a diseased tree, productivity and winter hardiness decrease, and the quality of the fruit deteriorates. The reasons for the appearance of the disease may be excessive humidity and stagnation of air inside the crown, its thickening. For treatment, a solution of urea, Bordeaux liquid is used. Excellent prevention – cutting off extra branches of the Asterisk apple tree in the spring;
- powdery mildew – a fungal disease that affects young shoots, foliage of an apple tree. The main cause of the disease is sudden changes in temperature (strong morning fogs and persistent drought). Signs of damage to the apple tree – the appearance of a whitish coating on the foliage, falling leaves and ovaries. They fight the disease by spraying the apple tree with the preparations “Skor”, “Topaz”. Since the infection persists on branches and foliage, it is recommended as a preventive measure to remove diseased tree shoots during bud break and after the formation of ovaries;
- common apple pest green aphid. This insect eats the leaves and shoots of the Asterisk and can lead to the death of the tree. The best method of struggle is spraying the apple tree with a 3% solution of karbofoos before the buds open. You can replace karbofos with phosphamide, ash (manufacturers recommend an acceptable concentration of solutions).
To prevent diseases of the Asterisk apple tree, some preventive measures are recommended:
- annual spring and autumn inspection of the bark of apple trees;
- thinning the tree crown and timely removal of dry and diseased branches. Damaged branches and fruits are recommended to be burned;
- correct and timely processing of the crown with special preparations;
- early whitewashing of tree trunks.
The Zvezdochka apple tree is loved by summer residents and gardeners due to its excellent taste and easy care. The implementation of simple rules for the maintenance of apple trees ensures a high yield of apple trees for a long period.