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The climatic conditions of the Moscow region are characterized by relatively low winter temperatures, as well as rainy and cool summer weather. Such a microclimate of the region often causes freezing, the development of fungal and viral diseases that threaten many plants, including apple trees. Problems with growing these fruit trees can only be avoided if you choose resistant varieties with excellent genetic immunity. We will try to talk about them in detail later in the article.
How to choose an apple variety
An apple variety should be selected taking into account its agrotechnical features, yield and taste characteristics of the fruit. An important indicator is the period of ripening of apples. An objective assessment of all the qualities of a particular variety is possible only by comparing several types of crops. In our article, we will describe the best varieties of apple trees for the Moscow region, classifying the whole variety of options according to the fruit ripening time.
Summer varieties
Early, summer apples differ from later types of culture in their delicate pulp and special sweetness and aroma. They are usually eaten fresh and do not keep for a long time. The taste of such fruits is bright and rich. Summer apples grown on your own plot are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, which is why they are so desirable and healthy.
“Grushovka Moscow”
A feature of this variety is the extremely high level of resistance to freezing, which makes it possible to grow apples not only in the Moscow region, but even in the northernmost regions of the country. At the same time, it should be noted that the Grushovka Moskva variety does not have a high resistance to diseases, which means that when growing it, one should take care of preventive measures to protect fruit trees.
Moscow Pear apples are small in size, weighing up to 100 g. Their color is green-yellow with a slight raspberry blush. Ripe fruits are sweet, exude a pleasant apple aroma. The skin of the fruit is covered with a thin layer of wax, which makes the fruit a bit slippery. The pulp of apples is juicy, but when overripe, it becomes a little more dry. When biting, the fruits of “Grushovka” emit a characteristic crunch. You can see apples of this variety and evaluate their external qualities by viewing the photo:
“Meadow”
The proposed variety of apples is well known to many experienced gardeners. Its distinctive feature is the sweet taste and aroma of honey. The first fruits of “Lungwort” ripen in the 4-5th year after planting the seedling. During the first 10 years, an exceptionally high yield is observed, but, unfortunately, this figure decreases in the subsequent period.
Apples “Medunitsa” ripen at the end of summer. Their mass is small, the color is greenish-yellow. On the surface of the fruit, you can see scarlet stripes. It is impossible to store fresh summer apples “Medunitsa” for a long time, as they quickly lose their taste and external qualities. For this reason, it is recommended that after harvesting, take care of its processing as soon as possible.
“Dessert Isaeva”
The proposed variety of apples is highly resistant to freezing and a number of diseases, including scab. Young seedlings of apple trees begin to bear fruit already in the 4th year of cultivation. Medium-sized trees are very productive, but with a large amount of fruiting, the quality of the fruit may decrease. In order for the apples not to shrink, it is recommended to prune the thin branches of the lush crown every year.
Apples “Dessert Isaev”, with an average weight of 120-130 g, have a rounded shape and are colored yellow with a blurred red blush. Fruit pulp is fine-grained, juicy with a pleasant floral aroma and pleasant sweetness.
For the conditions of the Moscow region, not only the listed varieties are well suited, but also some long-known types of apple trees. For example, in a cool climate, the early Antonovka, Korobovka, White filling, Melba and some other varieties grow remarkably and bear fruit. An apple tree of the “Cypress” variety may be interesting for many gardeners, since it allows you to get a crop in the earliest possible time.
Autumn varieties of apples
For farmers near Moscow, it is recommended to grow about 17 good varieties of apple trees of the middle (autumn) ripening period. We will try to describe some of them in detail:
“Anise Scarlet”
A wonderful, high-yielding variety bears fruit in the amount of 200-300 kg of apples from one adult tree. Fruiting culture is annual, winter hardiness is high. When growing, a fruit tree is especially demanding for regular and plentiful watering. The resistance of the variety to diseases is high, only powdery mildew can pose a threat to it.
Apples “Anise scarlet” are medium in size, sometimes have a slight ribbing on a rounded surface. The color of the fruit is light green with a yellowish tinge. A dense red blush and a slight wax coating are observed over the entire surface of the fruit.
The pulp of apples is fine-grained, sweet-sour, tender. Ripe fruits can be stored for up to a month in the refrigerator or in a cool cellar.
“Cinnamon Striped”
This variety of apples has been known to gardeners since the distant 1868. Already at that time, its high resistance to freezing and various diseases was noted. A tall tree bears fruit in a large number of apples, weighing up to 100 g. They ripen in early autumn or late summer. The shape of the fruit is flat-round or slightly ribbed, the surface is smooth.
The flesh of the fruit is pinkish, medium juicy. Sweetness and sourness are clearly visible in the taste, as well as some bitterness, similar to cinnamon, in the aroma.
“Autumn Joy”
The variety “Autumn Joy” is zoned in the central region and can be successfully grown in the conditions of the Moscow region. The first fruiting of the apple tree is observed 4-5 after planting. Winter hardiness and resistance of the apple tree to diseases is average. Apples ripen in late August-early September.
The trees are vigorous with a dense crown. They require regular formation. On their long and thin branches, they form a large number of sweet apples, each weighing 110-130 g. The color of the fruit is golden-green with a bright red blush and numerous gray subcutaneous spots.
The pulp of apples is tender and juicy. It contains more than 10% sugar and very little acid. A pleasant light aroma complements the taste harmony of fruits. Additional information about the apple tree and the taste of fruits can be emphasized from the video:
When choosing a variety of autumn apples for the Moscow region, you should not refuse such apple trees as “Cowberry”, “Zhigulevskoe”, “Chosen One”, “Delight”, “Shtrifel”. Some of these varieties have long been known to gardeners, and some are new. Among the new varieties, it is also worth highlighting “Kerr”. This apple tree is considered the best large-fruited Chinese with an excellent, harmonious taste of fruits.
Late-ripening, winter varieties
Late-ripening apples store remarkably well, retaining their quality until the arrival of spring and even until the next fruiting season. Taste and appearance characteristics of such varieties are different and can satisfy the needs of each taster.
“Alesia”
One of the best late maturing varieties. Its harvest can be preserved on the branches of a tree until December, and then stored under special conditions for another 6-7 months. The crop yield is high, it can exceed 300 kg from each tree.
The tree “Alesya” itself is undersized, sprawling. It begins to bear fruit in the 5-6th year after planting. The culture is distinguished by high frost resistance and immunity to scab.
The mass of fruits “Alesya” rarely exceeds 200 g, the shape is flat-round. The color of the fruit is bright red, slightly blurred. The pulp of apples is juicy, sweet with a slight sourness. Its taste was rated by experts at 4,4 points out of 5 possible.
“Moscow later”
The variety of apples “Moscow later” was obtained in 1961 and, after careful, long-term testing, it was zoned for the Moscow region and the entire Central region of the country. Differs in resistance to freezing and scab. The self-pollinated apple tree begins to bear fruit for 6-7 years.
Removable fruit ripeness occurs in early October. Harvested during this period, the crop can be stored until the new fruiting season. At the same time, fruits reach full ripeness only by mid-November.
The fruits of the variety “Moscow later” are quite large, weighing from 200 to 250 g. Their shape is round, the surface is smooth. The skin of apples is painted light yellow, but a gentle blush is evenly distributed over its entire surface. Taste qualities of fruits are high. Their pulp is tender, fine-grained, white, dense. The sugar content in the composition is 11%, but there is more than enough acid in the pulp: 8,8%.
“Rossiyanka”
The medium-sized apple tree “Rossiyanka” has a lush crown, rounded in shape. Apples of this variety ripen at the end of September. Culture resistance to scab and low temperatures.
Apples “Rossiyanka” are large. Their color is greenish-yellow, the pulp is sugary, juicy. The fruits have excellent keeping quality and can be stored until April.
Among all the existing late-ripening varieties, such species as Antonovka Ordinary, Belarusian Raspberry, Komsomolets, Mirnoye, Student are also suitable for the Moscow Region. These varieties of apple trees are time-tested and have already earned a lot of positive comments and feedback from farmers. Among the new varieties, the apple trees Butuz, Suvorovets, Dolgo, Krasa Sverdlovskaya are distinguished by high resistance to adverse weather conditions. These varieties are only being tested, but have already managed to prove themselves only from the best side.
Conclusion
The climate of the Moscow region is not particularly mild, therefore, before choosing a variety, it is necessary to carefully study its characteristics and, in particular, resistance to freezing, fungi and viruses. From a certain list of varieties, you can select suitable fruit trees that will produce a crop of the desired quality in a certain period of time. Selection of seedlings, taking into account all the main parameters, will allow you to successfully grow a good harvest of fruits in the given conditions. A “blind” purchase of a plant will certainly not be successful.