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Growing apple trees in Siberia can be a risky undertaking, in cold winters there is a high probability of their freezing. Only cold-resistant varieties can grow in this region. Breeders are working in this direction. One of the new varieties was the Bayana apple variety, intended for cultivation in Western Siberia.
History of breeding
The variety was bred from two varieties – “Altai Purple”, which was taken as a winter-hardy maternal form and a hybrid obtained from crossing “Gornoaltaysky” and “Chinese Bellefleur”. The new apple tree turned out to be large-fruited and winter-hardy. The variety is marked as promising for industrial cultivation.
Description of the Bayana apple variety with a photo
Variety “Bayana” was included in the State Register in 2007, zoned for the West Siberian region. Belongs to the late autumn group.
Appearance of fruit and tree
The tree grows quickly, the height is medium (capable of reaching 4-4,5 m). Crown of moderate density, narrow pyramidal. The leaves are medium in size, green, elongated, shortly pointed. Apples are large, one-dimensional, weigh an average of 165 g, rounded in shape, with a slight ribbing. The skin of the fruit is greenish-yellow, with a large purple blush and rare small green subcutaneous dots.
Large-fruitedness is one of the main characteristics of the apple tree of this variety.
Life time
With good care, the Bayana apple tree can live for more than 50 years. Fruits often up to 40 or more seasons. If a tree does not receive proper care, its life expectancy is reduced.
Taste
The pulp of the fruits of the apple-tree variety “Bayana cream”, fine-grained, medium-dense, very juicy and tender. Its taste is sweet and sour, the score of tasters is 4,6 points. The smell of fruits is moderate.
Growing regions
The Bayana apple tree can be grown in the Urals, Altai, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Tyumen and Omsk regions. Even in more northern regions, such as the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Productivity
In the first years of fruiting (the fruits begin to ripen in the fourth season), Bayana apple trees show an average yield of 4,1 kg per 1 sq. m. In subsequent years, the yield increases to 11-14 kg per 1 square. m.
Frost resistance of the Bayan apple tree
Cold resistance is high, the tree can withstand frosts down to -46 ° C. The drought resistance of this variety is average.
Disease and pest resistance
Excellent resistance to scab, not affected by powdery mildew. Sometimes it can be sick with cytosporosis and lichen.
Subject to storage rules, apples can lie for 4 months after picking.
Flowering period and ripening period
The apple tree “Bayan” begins to bloom in the 1-2 decade of May, in Altai earlier – at the end of April. Flowering lasts approximately 1,5 weeks, depending on the weather. The fruits ripen in the third decade of September. The technical ripeness of apples can be determined by the purple hue that appears on the skin.
Pollinators
Variety “Bayana” bee-pollinated, self-fertile. To increase the volume and quality of fruits, apple plants of other varieties can be planted nearby, for example, Gornoaltayskoye, Grushovka, Melba, Siberian Souvenir, Bolotovskoye, Cherry, etc.
Transportation and storage
The fruits of the apple-tree “Bayan” with a dense skin, therefore, tolerate transportation well, are not damaged by mechanical stress. Differ in good keeping quality, maintain storage within 4 months.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Bayana variety are not limited to cold resistance, the apple tree shows good yield, early ripeness, there is no periodicity of fruiting. Fruit ripening may drop slightly during rainy seasons with strong temperature fluctuations in spring and summer. The variety is resistant to common fungal diseases, the fruits are well stored and can withstand transportation.
Disadvantages: low yield in the first seasons of fruiting, shedding of the ovary during ripening.
Rules of landing
The place is selected well-lit, open, but not blown by the wind. It is not advisable to place apple trees next to other tall trees or buildings so that they do not end up in their shade.
Apple trees grow best in fertile loamy and sandy soil with neutral acidity. In most cases, the soil before planting a tree needs to be prepared: applying organic fertilizers in the form of humus (1,5 buckets per planting pit) and ash (2 kg each).
Spring planting allows the tree to take root over the summer, which increases its chances of survival. It can also be planted in autumn, but at least 1,5 months before the onset of a period of stable cold weather.
Young 1- or 2-year-old seedlings take root best of all, older trees are worse. For a standard tree, planting pits are dug at least 0,7 m in diameter and 0,5 m deep. The distance between seedlings is 4 by 4-4,5 m.
Landing sequence:
- Lay a drainage layer of small stones, crumbs and broken bricks at the bottom of the pit.
- Place the seedling in the middle, straighten the roots so that they are directed in all directions.
- Fill the hole with soil, water and lightly compact.
- Mulch the near-stem surface with plant material or agrofibre.
You can put a peg next to the tree and tie the trunk to it. Thanks to this, it will grow evenly, and not obliquely.
Cultivation and care
After planting, the seedling of the Bayana apple tree needs only watering. Moisten the ground often for 1,5 months, making sure that the soil does not become dry. Then the frequency of irrigation is reduced, watered only in the absence of natural precipitation. After each watering or rain, the ground in the trunk circles is loosened. To avoid this, the soil is covered with mulch.
In early spring, it is recommended to whitewash trees to protect them from burns and wintering pests.
Apple trees are fed for the 2nd year, there is no need for fertilizers in the first season. In the spring, organic matter is introduced under the trees – humus and ash in the amount, as during planting. Fruiting apple trees are fertilized at least 3 times per season: in the spring before bud break, after flowering and in the middle of the fruit growth period. At this time, both organic and mineral fertilizers can be used.
Pruning begins the following spring after planting. The tops of the central conductor and side branches are removed from the tree. Broken, frozen or shrunken branches, shoots growing inside the crown are cut out from a formed apple tree in spring or autumn.
To prevent fungal diseases and the spread of pests, starting in spring, spraying with fungicidal preparations and insecticides is carried out. Usually 1-2 treatments carried out during the season are enough to avoid the development of diseases and the reproduction of harmful insects.
For winter, the soil under the trees is covered with a layer of peat, foliage, hay, sawdust and other suitable covering material. In early spring, the trunk and lower parts of the branches are whitened with lime to protect against burns and pests.
Collection and storage
The fruits ripen by the end of September. They are removed in full or technical ripeness. The method of consumption is universal, i.e. they can be eaten fresh or processed into juice and canned foods.
Bayan apples are stored in a cool and dry place; a cellar is well suited for this purpose. Under optimal conditions, the fruits can lie until February.
Conclusion
The Bayana apple variety is intended for cultivation in all regions of Western Siberia and the Urals. Its main advantage is frost resistance. In addition, the variety is characterized by precocity, productivity, good taste and keeping quality of fruits.
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