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It is almost impossible today to meet a garden without apple trees. Every summer resident has favorite varieties. And this is not surprising, because despite the variety of varieties, any apple tree has its own characteristics.
The Cherished apple tree is the result of crossing varieties Melba and Autumn joy. Variety Cherished is valued by gardeners for its excellent frost resistance and resistance to pests and diseases. The apple tree belongs to the semi-cultural early-winter varieties. Successfully fructifies in Siberia, in the Urals.
Variety description
The apple tree has the appearance of a low tree with a spreading wide crown. A height of 3-3,5 meters is considered the maximum for this apple tree.
Throughout the summer, the sun evenly illuminates the entire crown, thanks to which it is well ventilated, and the apples ripen at the same time. A feature of the tree is the color of the bark of the trunk – dark brown.
The special attachment of summer residents to this variety is also explained by regular yields. Ripe fruits can be harvested from the second half of September, and up to 70 kg of bright apples can be easily removed from one tree.
As a rule, the average weight of one fruit is 45-65 grams, and in the first years of growth – 75-80 grams. The decrease in fruit weight is due only to an increase in the number of apples and does not affect the taste of the fruit. The rounded apple has a pale yellow color with a rich red “blush” (as in the photo).
The fruit has a tender and juicy pulp, which has a good density. Some gardeners distinguish light notes of strawberries in the taste of the Cherished apple.
Apples acquire a special sweetness in the case of a cold autumn, when the harvest falls at the end of September-beginning of October. In the case of a hot summer period, the time for picking apples also shifts – the fruits ripen already at the end of August.
Advantages of the treasured variety:
- frost resistance;
- the beginning of fruiting from the age of four;
- good resistance to pests and diseases (especially scab);
- a high yield is maintained by an apple tree of the Cherished variety of any age;
- simultaneous ripening of fruits;
- excellent keeping quality (up to 5 months) and decent transportability.
The ability to freeze in very severe frosts is considered a disadvantage of the variety.
Growing an apple tree
The procedure for planting the Cherished variety does not cause difficulties even for novice gardeners. There is no clearly defined period for planting apple seedlings. Some summer residents prefer to plant in the spring – after the 20th of April, when the earth warms up better, but does not lose moisture from melted snow.
But in the regions of Siberia, it is not recommended to plant a tree at the end of summer, since there are high chances that the Cherished apple tree will not take root and die.
Landing steps:
- Prepare a hole for the seedling in advance. A suitable size is a depth of about 50-60 cm, a diameter of 45-55 cm.
- The excavated soil is mixed with manure, mineral fertilizers.
- The pit is 2/3 filled with a fertile mixture.
- At a seedling of the Cherished variety, the roots are carefully straightened and placed in a hole. Top with soil. At this stage, it is important to ensure that the root neck of the apple tree is not covered with earth. The root neck should be about 6-8 cm above the ground level.
So that the tree is securely rooted and does not break in case of bad weather, it is recommended to drive in several stakes near the pit, between which to fix the trunk of the Cherished apple tree (as in the photo).
Watering and feeding trees
One of the components of the proper care of apple trees is watering. In the conditions of Siberia, it is recommended to water the Zavetnoe variety at least twice during the season. In this case, it must be taken into account that in the spring for an adult tree, approximately 100 liters of water are needed. In the autumn, after the leaves fall, it is also advisable to water the apple tree.
In the case of a dry summer period, it is recommended to water the Zavetnoe variety twice: when the ovary is formed and during the ripening of apples. So that watering is not useless, it is recommended to make a round ditch around the trunk, approximately 10-15 cm deep. It is into the ditch that water should be carefully poured.
Fertilization is also an important part of proper apple tree care. This variety has no special soil requirements. Liquid mullein would be an excellent fertilizer option. In springtime, you can also sprinkle urea around the trunk circle.
Trimming an apple tree
For the variety Zavetnoe, crown thickening is uncharacteristic. However, pruning is an important and necessary part of apple tree care.
Thanks to pruning, extra branches are removed (which interfere with each other or grow incorrectly), a crown is formed, and the tree is cleaned of old branches. It is recommended to carry out work in the spring with a pruner or a hacksaw. Pruning should be done before the buds begin to grow.
After completion of work, it is recommended to treat the cut surface with garden pitch. Thanks to these actions, the sections are protected from infections and precipitation, do not dry out and heal more easily.
On old apple trees, pruning is carried out not only to remove excess branches, but also for the purpose of rejuvenation.
Protection against diseases and pests
The apple-tree variety Cherished is highly resistant to diseases and pests. In terms of prevention, it is recommended to spray the apple tree with a special solution: 10 g of urea, 700 g of copper sulfate are added to 50 liters of water. It is necessary to carry out the procedure before the flowering of the Cherished variety begins.
Particular attention should be paid to protecting the tree from codling moths, which can cause significant damage to the future crop.
The codling moth is a butterfly that infects apples of the Cherished variety. There are many ways to deal with pests. The most effective is the use of special chemicals – insecticides. The first treatment of trees is recommended at the end of May-beginning of June. For spraying, the most suitable drugs are: Inta-vir, Kinmiks, Decis, Fury. The optimal processing time is a quiet evening without rain, when pest butterflies begin to fly.
The following treatments cannot be carried out with chemicals, so it is advisable to use folk remedies. As an option – infusions of needles, tansy, burdock. Pollinate apple trees at the end of flowering and at intervals of approximately 2-2,5 weeks. As a preventive measure, it can be advised to plant dill, mustard between Cherished apple trees.
Many summer residents notice the fact that apple tree wood attracts small rodents. Therefore, it is necessary to apply measures to protect tree trunks, especially in winter. It is advisable to carry out the following activities:
- clean the area around the trunk of the apple tree and burn the garbage;
- dig the soil near the tree;
- wrap the trunk of the apple tree with a protective cloth and secure it. If there is no suitable material, you can use spruce branches. Moreover, they must be positioned in such a way that the needles are at the bottom. In addition, you can spray the protective layer with a preparation that repels rodents.
The apple-tree variety Cherished is undoubtedly very fruitful and unpretentious, and therefore very popular. Many summer residents and gardeners were able to appreciate the merits of the apple tree. Therefore, we recommend that beginners, lovers of apples, plant the Cherished variety on the site.
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