Apple variety Grushovka Moscow: photo and description, reviews

Moscow Grushovka apple tree is a long-known variety that produces small, but tasty and fragrant apples. Differs in high winter hardiness and productivity. It can be grown not only in the middle lane, but also in the North-West, in the northern regions, as well as in the Urals and Siberia.

History of breeding

Moscow Grushovka apple tree is one of the most famous ancient varieties, which was first described back in 1862 by the researcher Bolotov A.T. (magazine “Gardening”). The scientist connected the name of the variety with the surname of a Tula resident Grushovsky, who actively contributed to the spread of culture. The apple tree was included in the register of breeding achievements of Our Country in 1947.

In the Soviet years, the variety was studied in detail and zoned in almost all regions:

• Northwest;
• middle lane;
• the Volga region;
• Volga-Vyatka;
• Chernozem region;
• The Urals;
• Western and Eastern Siberia.

But it’s the same variety. Usually it is called so in the Northwest, where the fruits ripen a few weeks later due to climatic reasons.

Description and characteristics of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree

The apple-tree variety Grushovka Moskva is well studied. It produces large trees with a branched crown. The fruits are small, but tasty, they are used in private households (not for sale).

tree appearance

In the description of the variety Apple pear early, it is indicated that this is a rather tall tree. The branches are strong, the crown has the shape of a wide pyramid, and as it grows older it becomes spherical. On the main branches, the bark is orange-yellow. The fruits grow on kolchatka, which appear in large quantities.

Shoots of small thickness, with slight pubescence. The coloration is reddish brown. Glossy, dark purple bark that glistens in the sun. The leaves of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree are large, green in color, have a yellowish tint. The plate is almost flat or slightly curved, may be slightly pubescent. Stipules of large size.

Description of fruits

Apples of the Grushovka Moscow variety are small in size (80 g on average), onion-shaped, ribbing is slightly pronounced. The color is mostly yellowish, with a green tinge, turning pale as it matures. May be pink or flecked blush. There are quite a lot of subcutaneous points, they are whitish.

Fruits are greenish, with a pink blush

The stalks are short, thick or medium thickness. The funnel is deep and wide, there is no rustiness. The saucer is small, but wide. The cups are closed, onion-shaped hearts. Seed chambers of the closed type. The seeds themselves are small, light brown in color.

The pulp of apples is white, has a yellowish tint. Quite soft and fragrant. The taste of the fruits of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree is sweet and sour, refreshing, often with pronounced sourness.

Chemical composition:

• total sugar content – 9,2%;
• total acidity – 0,89%;
• vitamin C content – more than 9 mg per 100 g;
• substances with P-activity – almost 130 mg per 100 g.

Flowering

The flowers of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree are quite large, the buds are pink, and the petals are slightly lighter. They are elongated, oblong. The shape of the flowers is saucer-shaped. They appear in the second half of May, sometimes in the first decade of June.

In terms of ripening, the Moscow Grushovka apple tree belongs to summer varieties. So it is often called in the southern regions – both names are used as synonyms. The fruits ripen from late July to mid-August, if the weather is not very warm, then with a slight delay.

Pollinators of the apple tree Grushovka moscow

Variety Grushovka Moscow needs pollinators. The following varieties are best suited for these purposes: Belfleur Kitayka, Anis striped, Antonovka.

What year does the Grushovka apple tree bear fruit?

Moscow Grushovka apples appear in the fourth year after planting. But first, it is better to remove the flowers, preventing the ovaries from forming. This will allow the tree to gain green mass and bear fruit stably, starting from 5-6 years.

Productivity

The yield of the variety is very high and amounts to 80-170 kg from one adult tree. Specific figures depend on weather conditions and care. In the heat, the yield is significantly lower, since the tree can shed some of the fruit.

Under favorable conditions, the yield reaches 170 kg per tree

Frost resistance

Apple tree Moscow Grushovka is characterized by high winter hardiness. According to this indicator, it is ahead of such varieties: Antonovka ordinary, Borovinka and Autumn striped.

Disease resistance

With proper care, the Moscow Grushovka apple tree rarely suffers from diseases. The variety is not resistant to scab. The culture may be attacked by aphids, bark beetles, spider mites and other pests. Therefore, plantings are regularly treated with fungicides and other drugs. During the fruiting period and for prevention, folk remedies are used.

Advantages and disadvantages

Moscow Grushovka is a long-known, well-tested variety, which is often grown on private farms from the middle lane to the northern regions, the Urals and Siberia. Differs in high productivity and good winter hardiness.

The fruits are small, but tasty and appear in large quantities.

Pros:

• exceptional frost resistance (up to -50 degrees);
• high yield;
• pleasant taste;
• a lot of vitamin C;
• fruiting from 5-6 years;
• early ripening (from the end of July).

Cons:

• fruits are small;
• not suitable for sale;
• do not ripen at the same time;
• keeping quality and transportability are low;
• scab resistance is low;
• fruiting may be irregular;
• low drought resistance – in the heat, the apple tree sheds its fruits.

How to plant an apple tree Grushovka Moscow

Planting an apple tree of the Grushovka Moscow variety is usually planned for mid-April – early May. Additional term – the end of autumn, immediately after leaf fall. For planting, choose a sunny, dry place (not a lowland, without closely lying groundwater).

You need to act like this:

1. Dig several holes measuring 70×70 cm at a distance of 4 m from each other.
2. Lay a layer of small stones.
3. Plant seedlings and sprinkle with fertile soil.
4. Tamp the ground so that the root neck remains 5-7 cm above the surface.
5. Water and mulch.

Grushovka Moscow apple tree care

Caring for an apple tree is not very difficult:

1. Water twice a month, in drought – weekly.
2. Fertilizers – urea in spring (40 g per tree), during the formation of ovaries – superphosphate (80 g) and potassium salt (50 g), in autumn – wood ash (300 g).
3. Regular pruning in spring and autumn.
4. Weeding, loosening – as needed.
5. Mulching the trunk circle for the winter (for young seedlings).

Fighting diseases and pests

Apple Grushovka Moscow has normal immunity, but can suffer from scab, especially in rainy and cool summers. It is also not excluded the defeat of other fungal diseases. For prevention and treatment, it is necessary to treat with fungicides:

• “Order”;
• “Horus”;
• “Bordeaux liquid”;
• “Topaz”;
• “Tatu”.

To destroy aphids, bark beetles and others, the Moscow Grushovka apple tree is sprayed with insecticides:

• “Biotlin”;
• “Fufanon”;
• “Match”;
• “Vertimek”;
• “Inta-Vir” and others.

In order for a tree to bear fruit well, it must be regularly treated against pests and diseases.

Why there are no fruits on the Grushovka apple tree

Sometimes gardeners are faced with such a problem – the Moscow Grushovka apple tree blooms, but does not bear fruit. The reasons may be different:

• excess nitrogen fertilizers;
• the pollinator variety does not grow nearby;
• too hot weather;
• flower buds are attacked by pests.

Almost all of these factors can be influenced. If the weather is too hot, it is recommended to increase watering, and regularly irrigate the crown in the evening. Otherwise, the apple tree may drop the fruits, and the yield will drop dramatically. Even if this happens, in subsequent seasons the tree will bear fruit again.

When to pick apples Grushovka Moskovskaya

You can start harvesting apples from late July to early August. Ripening is non-simultaneous, so harvesting is carried out in several stages. The fruits are not transportable, they deteriorate during long-term transportation. The keeping quality is also low – no more than 3-4 weeks, even if the storage conditions are observed:

• temperature – + 2-6 ° C;
• humidity – 60-70%;
• dark place.

The collected fruits are immediately eaten or sent for preparations – compotes, juices and other dishes.

Conclusion

Apple tree Grushovka Moscow is unpretentious and grows well in different regions. The culture can be cultivated on different types of soil, preferably in sunny areas. Apples are harvested in August. Since the harvest is large, winter preparations are often made from the fruits.

Reviews of gardeners about the apple tree Grushovka Moscow