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Fuji apple trees are of Japanese origin. But in China and America, this culture and its clones are given special attention. For example, in China, 82% of apples grown are of the Fuji variety. A quarter of a century ago, culture was taken up in European countries, in the gardens of Ukraine and Our Country.
Fuji apples are distinguished by their honey taste and beautiful appearance. Description, photos and reviews of the Fuji apple variety can be found in our article. In addition, we will talk about the features of growing and caring for fruit trees.
Historical facts
The Japanese have been creating the Fuji variety for several years. Breeders took the varieties Red Delish and Rolls Janet as parents. The new plant received the best parental qualities.
In the eighties of the last century, Americans became interested in the Fuji apple tree. The fruit tree has adapted perfectly. The unusual honey aroma and exquisite taste of the inhabitants of America fell in love.
Many readers are interested in where Fuji apples are currently growing. It should be noted that the distribution area in Our Country is quite wide: apple trees are grown even in regions with a sharply continental climate, not to mention the southern regions.
Description
External Data
The apple tree is strong, the skeletal branches are powerful. The peculiarity of the plant is that without pruning, the branches grow on the sides, which significantly reduces the yield. The Fuji apple tree, according to the description of the breeders, should have a round, almost spherical shape. The bark of the trunk is light brown with a grayish tinge.
On long shoots, the bark is slightly brighter, without roughness. In a well-formed apple tree, the petioles should be located at an acute angle in relation to the shoots.
Oval leaves with almost imperceptible pubescence and pointed tips. Flowering begins in late April or early May. By the end of leaf fall on bare branches, large apples glow like lights, as in the photo below.
Fruit
The Fuji apple tree is valued for its delicious fruits. In technical ripeness, they are bright pink or deep red. Moreover, the coloring of the fruit is uniform. Yellowish dots or greenish blurry stripes are slightly visible on the surface. The skin is matte, without shine.
According to the description, as well as the reviews of gardeners, the weight of the Fuji apple reaches 200-250 grams. The fruits are even, one to one. They taste sweet, but they are not cloying. Apples are dense, juicy, crispy. On the cut, the flesh is white or creamy.
Apples of this variety are rich in various vitamins and microelements, amino acids, pectin, fruit sugars. That is why doctors advise them for dietary and baby food.
Features of storage
The Fuji apple variety is also valued for its excellent storage. With the creation of special conditions and the presence of industrial refrigeration units, without loss of taste, they can lie for 12 months. In stock no more than 4 months.
Freshly picked and stored Fuji apples will differ in characteristics in 30 days. Oddly enough, their taste will change for the better. The fruits will become even sweeter, the acid is almost not felt. During storage, apples ripen. Due to the high transportability, apples “scatter” all over the world.
Where Can You Grow Fuji Apple Trees?
To ripen apples, a lot of sun is needed, otherwise the fruits will not have time to ripen. That is why the central regions of Our Country, Belarus and the northern regions of Ukraine are not suitable for growing this variety of apple trees.
But gardeners can go in for clones of the Fuji apple tree:
- Fujik;
- Kiku;
- Jataka;
- Beni Shogun;
- Nagafu;
- Toshiro;
- Aztec.
The fact is that they ripen 14-21 days earlier than the mother variety, but the taste of some clones is even higher.
Clones
Aztec branch
Apple tree Fuji Aztec variety of New Zealand breeders. Was received in 1996. The weight of rich red apples, look at the photo, is about 200 grams. The clone, according to the reviews of the gardeners who grow it, fully corresponds to the description and characteristics.
The pulp is juicy and crispy. The taste of apples is sweet and sour, they belong to dessert varieties.
The apple tree is strong, tall with excellent yields. The fruit tree has an average resistance to scab. The fruits ripen in mid-September. Stored for almost 7 months.
Fuji Kiku
According to consumer reviews, the fruits of the Fuji Kiku apple tree are considered the most delicious among other clones of this variety. Despite the fact that her ripening period is longer than that of Azteca, apples are still harvested 21 days earlier than from the mother variety.
Look at the photo how large pink apples with red rosy cheeks look elegant, weighing from 200 to 250 grams.
The palatability of the early clone of Kiku is also excellent. They are sweet and sour with a slight honey aroma.
Growing the Fuji Kiku variety on an industrial scale:
Planting and care
Often in reviews regarding the planting of the Fuji apple tree and its clones, gardeners note that they are blooming, but they are not happy with fruiting. The fact is that this apple variety is pollinated under certain conditions:
- quiet and sunny weather;
- in the presence of pollinating insects;
- if apple trees of other varieties grow nearby, which are pollinators.
The problem of pollination of the Fuji variety and its Azteca and Kiku clones is easily solved if such apple trees grow in your garden:
- Idareda or Red Delicious;
- Ligol or Golden Delicious;
- Granny Smith; Everest or Gala.
They bloom at the same time as the Fuji apple tree. In addition, the variety itself is able to pollinate other fruit trees.
Choice of landing dates
Fuji seedlings can be planted in autumn and spring. Autumn planting begins after leaf fall, but before the onset of stable frosts. The main task of the plant is to take root before a strong cold snap. As a rule, such work is carried out in October. Although even the most experienced gardener will not name the exact date of planting, it all depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the time of winter.
If in the fall, for some reason, it was not possible to plant a new Fuji apple tree, then you can replenish the garden collection in the spring. The main thing is to do the work before the kidneys swell and the sap flow begins. In this case, before the onset of hot days, the roots will recover, the plant will start to grow.
How to choose a place
As follows from the description and characteristics of the variety, apple trees need a lot of sunlight. Therefore, the landing site should be the south side of the garden.
As for the soil, it should be borne in mind that the apple tree grows quickly, its root system is powerful, and a lot of effort is spent on fruiting. The soil in the planting hole should be fertile, but not dense. Planting the Fuji apple tree is carried out in the traditional way.
Care
To get a good harvest of apples, part of the ovaries, especially in the first two years of fruiting the Fuji variety and its clones, must be removed. In this case, the tree will not be overloaded, therefore, the size and taste of the fruit will not be affected.
Speaking specifically about care, it is almost the same for all varieties of apple trees:
- watering and root and foliar top dressing;
- weeding and shallow loosening of the soil (the roots are located close to the surface);
- autumn and spring pruning;
- treatment for diseases and pests.
Disease control
The Fuji apple tree and its clones are good for everyone, but diseases and pests can destroy the crop if processing is not carried out in a timely manner. The reason is a weak immune system.
Most often, trees suffer from:
- bacterial burn;
- scab;
- aphid invasions.
An apple tree before blooming leaves and before flowering must be treated with special preparations. Experienced gardeners are advised to use for these purposes: Nitrofen – 10 liters 300 g, and a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid.