apple tree starcrimson

For large red apples, besides tasty, for the small size of the tree, gardeners fell in love with the Starcrimson variety. It is known that the apple tree of this variety is demanding on growing conditions and is not resistant to diseases. However, the Starkrimson apple tree does not lose its popularity.

History of breeding

Starcrimson is an apple tree that arrived in Our Country from distant America, the state of Iowa. It was there that the result of the work of breeders was the breeding of the Delicious winter apple tree, which was the ancestor of the Starkrimson variety. And only in 1921 it was possible to grow several trees, whose apples differed from previous varieties. In particular, they had a dark red color. The variety of apples was named Starkrimson – a star of bright red or raspberry color.

Around the same time, the American apple tree gained popularity in the former Soviet Union. It began to be grown in gardens in the Caucasus, in the Stavropol Territory. Gradually, interest in the variety dwindled, but Starkrimson apple trees are still cultivated by private growers in the southern outskirts of the country. Those wishing to buy seedlings of this variety did not decrease.

Description of the variety and characteristics

Apple trees of this variety are spur. Fruits are characterized by the following features:

• long shelf life;
• beautiful fruit appearance;
• great taste.

Mature tree height

Apple trees of this variety are low. They take up little space on the site and are therefore suitable for growing in a small garden area. By the age of six, the height of the apple tree does not exceed 2-2,5 meters.

Fruit

On the same tree, apples can be unequal in size and shape. Small fruits are round, and large ones are elongated, cone-shaped. The fruits of the Starkrimson apple tree are fragrant, liquid, with a bright red blush. Apples are sweet, not sour. The skin is light, loose, even, as if polished and covered with a delicate, barely noticeable fluff. In September, the fruits acquire a mature color.

Apples are well preserved until spring, do not rot and do not deteriorate. The taste becomes even better, richer.

Productivity

Young apple trees begin to bear fruit at the age of 2-3 years. Starkrimson is considered a high yielding variety. With proper care and favorable growing conditions, up to 160 kg of apples can be harvested from one tree.

Winter hardiness

The Starkrimson apple tree does not tolerate winter well. The slightest decrease in air temperature in winter leads to the freezing of shoots. This is a big disadvantage of the Starkrimson variety. Apple trees can be grown in regions with mild, not too frosty winters. In Our Country, these are the southern regions, such as Stavropol, Krasnodar Territory, Rostov Region and others.

Resistance to diseases

The Starkrimson apple tree is resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew and fire blight. However, it is affected by other diseases, as well as pests:

• scab;
• moth;
• mice, moles.

crown width

The crown of the trees looks like an inverted pyramid. The branches are not sprawling, compact, crowded, but rare. This kind of crown is inherent in spur fruit trees. They have short internodes, the kidneys are next to each other. Leaves on branches of medium size. Tree pruning is rarely done.

Self-fertility and pollinators

Starkrimson is a self-fertile variety. In order for an apple tree to bear fruit and give a generous harvest, it needs third-party pollinators. Fruit trees of the following varieties can play their role:

• Jonagold Deposta;
• Jonathan;
• Golden Delicious.

The trees must be within 2 km of the Starkrimson apple tree.

The frequency of fruiting

The Starkrimson apple tree annually pleases its owners with a rich harvest. The trees bear fruit every year.

Tasting assessment

The fruits are tasty and sweet. Rating – from 4,5 points to 4,8 out of 5 – for taste and appearance. The longer the apples lie, the more pronounced their taste. Apples become juicier and more fragrant.

Landing

Before planting on the plot of the Starkrimson apple tree, it is very important to carefully approach the acquisition of seedlings:

1. It is better to plant young growth no older than 2 years.
2. The stem of the seedling must not be damaged.
3. The bark normally does not contain stratification, thickening.
4. The trunk under the bark should be the color of young greens.
5. The root system is light and moist.
6. The leaves on the seedlings are not smooth on the reverse side, but with the smallest tubercles.

Choosing and preparing a landing site

Choosing a place to plant a seedling is of paramount importance. It should be sunny, well lit, inaccessible to drafts. Starkrimson apple trees do not like areas with groundwater.

1. For each seedling, a hole is dug, the depth of which is at least 70-85 cm.
2. The bottom is covered with soil with humus, you can add fallen leaves or sand.
3. Pour 20 liters of water into the hole.
4. Lower the seedling into the hole, gently straighten the roots and cover with earth.

In the autumn

Seedlings are planted in autumn and spring. For fruit trees growing in the central regions of Our Country, autumn planting is most acceptable. However, Starkrimson will not survive the harsh winter. That is why the Starkrimson apple tree is planted exclusively in southern regions with a mild winter climate.

In the spring

It seems that planting a fruit tree will not be difficult. But in order for the seedling to take root well, to turn into a strong tree that gives a generous harvest, you need to know some of the subtleties of agricultural technology.

Starkrimson apple trees are thermophilic. It is best to plant them in the spring. The advantage of spring planting is that before the winter cold comes, the Starkrimson apple trees will get stronger and will be able to overwinter.

For spring planting, it is better to prepare the ground in the fall:

1. The earth should be light, without the accumulation of groundwater.
2. The site needs to be dug up, cleared of all weeds.
3. In the spring, before planting, you need to carefully loosen the soil.

Care

Any plant needs care. The Starkrimson apple tree will have to be given more attention than other fruit trees. In order for the harvests to be rich, and the tree itself to become strong and healthy, careful care is needed, namely:

• ensure adequate watering;
• feed;
• take measures to prevent diseases;
• loosen the soil.

Watering and feeding

The Starkrimson apple tree does not like overdrying of the soil. It needs to be watered a lot, at least once every 5 days in the absence of heat and after 3 days when drought occurs.

In order for the earth to retain moisture longer and protect the tree from drought, be sure to put mulch from sawdust or the bark of old trees. Mulching will protect the earth from evaporation in the hot season, will serve as protection against various kinds of harmful insects and rodents.

Trees need to be fed regularly. The choice of top dressing depends on the time of year. In spring, all plants, including any apple tree, need nitrogen. Closer to autumn, the Starkrimson apple tree will need potassium and phosphorus.

Preventive spraying

Any disease is easier to prevent than to fight it. Scab very often infects Starcrimson apple trees. To reduce the risk of disease, trees are sprayed for preventive purposes:

1. In the spring, a treatment procedure is carried out with a 1% Bordeaux solution.
2. The earth around the tree is treated with ammonia.

Trimming

Starkrimson apple trees do not need regular pruning, as the branches are quite rare. Once every few years, sanitary pruning of damaged or diseased shoots can be carried out.

Shelter for the winter: protection from rodents

With the onset of winter, when the harvest is harvested, country chores are over, caring for fruit trees should not stop. The Starkrimson apple tree needs to be prepared for a long cold winter. For this, apple trees are covered, especially young ones. But not only so that the trees overwinter and do not freeze. The Starkrimson apple tree is sheltered from rodents such as hares, rats, and mice.

Strong gusty winds, bright spring sun – can also cause damage to the bark and poor harvest. In this case, the fruits will not reach their normal size, they will be small, and the damage sites will become a source of various diseases.

The trunks of adult apple trees are covered with special agrofibre, roofing felt, and cellophane film. Around the tree you can scatter branches of raspberries, cherries, needles. They will help get rid of rodents. If the Starkrimson apple tree is young, caring gardeners cover the crown with insulation or cover it with snow.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Speaking about the pros and cons of the Starkrimson apple variety, it is difficult to decide why the variety is so good. After all, such an indicator, for example, as cold intolerance for gardeners in the central part of Our Country will be a lack of varieties, and for summer residents in the southern regions it will be the norm.

As can be seen from the table, the advantages of the variety are much greater than the disadvantages.

Prevention and protection against diseases and pests

Most of all, Starkrimson apple trees suffer from scab, codling moth, and rodents.

If preventive spraying did not help, and the scab appeared, it is necessary to immediately begin the fight against it.

How to recognize scab:

1. Yellow dots appear on the leaves.
2. A gray layer appears on the outside of the sheet.
3. Leaves turn black and fall off. The disease affects apples.
4. The fruits turn black.

The following measures will help protect the tree from death and preserve the fruits: cleaning fallen leaves and diseased fruits, spraying with 1% Bordeaux solution. The last processing is carried out 25 days before the harvest of apples. The land around the apple tree is treated with 10% ammonia. Trees are sheltered from rodents.

Conclusion

Growing Starkrimson apples in the garden requires additional attention and care, however, the excellent taste and beauty of the fruit are worth it. Large, liquid, fragrant apples will delight adults and children until spring.

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