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As a rule, experienced gardeners try to grow several apple trees at once, among which there are trees of early and late varieties. This combination allows you to harvest fresh fruits from mid-summer to late autumn. Apples of late varieties can be successfully stored all winter, providing the family with the necessary vitamins. Of the variety of late-ripening apple trees, the Florina variety is considered one of the best. Apple trees of this variety have long been known to gardeners and have proven themselves only from the best side. Fruits of high quality are very beautiful and tasty. The tree itself is hardy, productive and unpretentious. All other advantages and features of the Florina variety can be found further in the article. After getting acquainted with the proposed information, perhaps Florina will decorate another orchard.
History of creating a variety
More than 50 years ago, French breeders bred the Florina variety by crossing several types of apple trees at once. Thus, the resulting apples combine the characteristics of the varieties “Jonathan”, “Rob Beauty”, “Golden Delicious” and some others.
Domestic breeders got acquainted with the Florina variety only in the 30s of the last century. After lengthy trials and testing, the variety was zoned for several climatic zones of the country at once. Since then, “Florina” has won the respect of many gardeners and today enjoys wide popularity. Seedlings of this variety are available to everyone. You can easily find them in a nursery or at a gardening fair.
Due to the excellent characteristics of the fruit and the high yield, the Florina apple trees have become in demand not only for growing in private backyards, but also for obtaining fruits for commercial purposes. It is this late-ripening variety that is grown by many farms.
Description and characteristics of the variety
The Florina apple tree is known to many gardeners. For those who are not yet familiar with this variety, information about the plant itself and its fruits may be useful.
Description of the plant
Apple tree “Florina” can become a decoration of every garden. This medium-sized plant has a beautiful spreading crown. Breeders recommend forming it in a rounded shape to obtain a high decorative plant. The branches of the apple tree are strong, located at an angle of 45-800 relative to the main stem. The height of the apple tree largely depends on the method of crown formation and can reach 3-5 m.
Young apple trees “Florina” are actively growing shoots and greenery, which must be thinned out regularly. The leaves of “Florina” are bright green, medium in size. In dry weather, they may curl slightly inward, indicating a lack of moisture.
In the spring, the buds of the apple tree wake up for a long time. The flowering period is long, the type of fruiting is mixed. The apple tree gives its first harvest at the age of 4-5 years. As the variety grows older, the yield of the variety increases from 5-10 to 70 kg.
For a medium-sized tree, the given yield is not too high, but is stable. Such a yield is observed with free pollination, in which only 16-25% of the fruits are tied. With additional pollinator varieties, this figure can be increased to 32%. The best pollinators for the Florina variety are the hybrids Prima, Granny Smith, Gloucester and others.
Description of fruits
Florina apples are characterized by excellent appearance. They are quite large, weighing about 110-150 g. The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, truncated. On closer inspection, you can find the unexpressed ribbing of some apples.
The skin of the fruit is strong and elastic, of medium thickness. It is painted in a bright blush, sometimes blurry with barely noticeable stripes. Subcutaneous light specks of medium size flaunt on the entire surface of the fruit. You can visually evaluate the description of the Florina apple variety in the photo:
The flesh of Florina apples is light yellow, very sweet and crispy. The special aroma of fruits is the hallmark of the variety. It is quite difficult to unambiguously assess the taste of apples, since there is some freshness, sourness and sweetness in it. During storage, the taste and aroma of the fruit changes, becomes saturated, reminiscent of a ripe melon. During the tasting process, experienced experts rate the taste of Florina apples at 4,4 points out of 5 possible.
Red, large apples look great against the background of a bright green crown. During the ripening period, the trees are highly decorative and really decorate the garden. Full ripeness of fruit occurs by the end of September – beginning of October. The product can be successfully processed or harvested fresh for the winter. In a cool room, the quality of apples is maintained until spring. Some reviews claim that in the refrigerator it is possible to keep the harvest until June.
Dense and large apples have high marketability and transportability. It is thanks to this quality that it became possible to grow the variety on an industrial scale for subsequent sale.
You can see Florina apples whole and in section, hear some comments about their quality, main characteristics and taste in the video:
Frost and disease resistance
Apple trees “Florina” have an average resistance to freezing. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable. In the conditions of central Our Country, it is recommended to wrap them securely with burlap for safety during the period of severe winter frosts.
Adult apple trees are protected from freezing by applying a layer of whitewash. The trunks of adult apple trees are whitewashed twice a season: in late autumn and early spring. Also an effective measure of protection is the mulching of the soil in the near-stem circle of the plant. Fallen leaves can be used as mulch. Additionally, it is recommended to spray it with highly concentrated urea. In this case, quickly rotted foliage will become a generous source of nutrients for feeding the apple tree.
Florina apple trees have excellent resistance to scab and some other fungal diseases. This allows even on an industrial scale to get a good harvest of fruits without the use of chemicals. Powdery mildew, fire blight and moniliosis also pose a low level of threat to plants. The plant has no protection against European cancer.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Analyzing photos, reviews and descriptions of the Florina apple tree, we can draw some conclusions and determine the main advantages and disadvantages of the variety. So, the main positive points in the description are:
- excellent external qualities of fruits;
- unique taste and aroma of apples;
- relatively high yield;
- high resistance to most diseases;
- the possibility of long-term storage of fruits;
- good transportability and keeping quality.
Among the shortcomings of the Florina apple tree, only two nuances can be identified:
- the need for careful and regular formation of plants;
- fruiting variety occurs 1 time in 2 years.
After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the Florina apple tree, you can make decisions for yourself how justified it will be to grow it in certain conditions. If there is a place for this variety in the garden, then it will be useful to get acquainted with some information about growing a fruit tree.
Peculiarities of growing
Apple tree “Florina” cannot grow safely in acidic soils, so the acidity level should be checked before planting. It is preferable to grow seedlings on black soil or loam. Before planting, it is necessary to introduce a large amount of rotted organic matter and mineral fertilizers into the soil. After planting, the apple tree should be regularly watered and thinned out its actively growing shoots. To prevent freezing, seedlings for the winter should be twisted with burlap, the trunk circle should be mulched.
Care for adult fruit trees consists in top dressing. So, every year in the spring, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content should be applied. In summer, the tree is fed with potassium and phosphorus.
Conclusion
Florina is an excellent variety for a caring owner. It allows you to get a wonderful harvest of tasty and fragrant apples in exchange for minimal care. Apples keep well and can be a tasty, healthy fresh treat for adults and children throughout the winter.