Apple tree Nifma
Content:
Apple tree Nifma is a Greek variety and is so named for its beautiful appearance. The plant was bred and officially registered in 2002.
History
The apple variety Nifma was bred at the Institute of Horticulture of the North Caucasus by artificial mutation of known varieties Renet Simirenko 17-36 and Kuban spur.
The breeding history of the Nifma apple variety is not easy, because during its breeding, exposure to such factors as ultraviolet light, pollen, chemicals was carried out, and then the strongest and most worthy specimens were chosen from the resulting hybrids. All manipulations were carried out in order to obtain the best qualities of the variety.
Apple tree Nifma: variety description
Apple tree Nifma: photo of the variety
Based on the grade Renet Simirenko 17-36, received a variety that also begins to bear fruit early, has its mixed appearance, as well as a large fruit size and a long shelf life of the crop.
From the second grade, the plant received abundant fruiting, a small tree size, a high content of vitamins in apples, an excellent appearance and excellent adaptation in the North Caucasus, as well as in the south of Russia.
In addition, the Nifma apple variety has become the owner of high immunity to such common apple diseases as powdery mildew and scab. Like any plant obtained from two varieties, the apple tree yields more than the parent varieties.
The best option for growing apple varieties Nifma has become in the southern regions of the country among industrial plantings, as well as for amateur gardeners. The variety is actively grown in short-cycle gardens. These are those gardens, the main condition of which is a flat area throughout the entire plot. They were created in order to optimize agrotechnical measures, and became popular in the south of our country among farmers and private gardeners.
Gardens of this type are characterized by the cultivation of trees planted very close to each other, the so-called fruit wall, for ten years. Where early fruiting trees, after 2 years, already lose their fruiting function.
As a result, the overgrown crown blocks the sunlight, which should go to the internal plantings and fruiting stops. After that, all the trees are uprooted, then other plantings are planted in this place, and after 3 years new seedlings are grown on this place. In addition, if the wall of fruit trees does not exceed 2 meters by 1.5 meters, then mechanized labor is used. The apple variety discussed in this article is very suitable for this type of orchard.
Fruiting and productivity
Apple tree Nifma is a late winter variety and is highly resistant to frost, as well as early ripening of fruits. Since Nymph is grown mainly in the southern territory of Russia, the apple tree bears fruit well on the steppes, as well as in the forest-steppe.
The tree begins to bear fruit in 2 years after planting, while yielding about 100 centners of fruit per hectare of planting. When the plant reaches the peak of its fruiting, the amount of the crop increases to 400 centners per 1 hectare of planting.
The apple variety Nifma is self-fertile, therefore, in order for the plant to bear fruit, other varieties of apple trees that bloom during the same period should be planted. Prikubanskoe, Zarnitsa, Peaches and other varieties are well suited as pollinator varieties. The main condition is that they have the same time of flowering and fruit formation, be adapted to the same area and have approximately the same lifespan.
The fruits of the Nifma apple tree are harvested in mid-autumn. At the same time, one of the advantages is the long shelf life of the fruits - until May. As a rule, harvested fruits reach their consumer maturity already harvested. Apples tolerate long-distance transportation very well.
Almost more than 90% of the fruits have an excellent appearance that distinguishes the variety from others. The advantages of culture also include high immunity to various fungal ailments.
Such a tree is propagated by vegetative methods: with the help of cuttings, grafting and layering.
The fruits of the Nifma apple variety contain a very large amount of vitamins, and they are often included in the diet of people who have metabolic disorders. In addition to being eaten fresh from apples, they make preparations in the form of jam, wine, marmalade, and are also used in the diet of baby food.
Apple tree Nifma: characteristics of the variety
One of the goals of the breeders was to breed a low-growing variety. In this case, the crown of the tree has the shape of a circle, and the branches are directed upwards.
The root system of the Nifma apple variety is located almost on the surface of the earth and exceeds the size of the crown, which must be taken into account for numerous plantings. The bark here has a gray tint and a smooth surface. On the branches, the color of the bark is brown, the branches have a straight shape and a large diameter. Fruits are formed on last year's shoots.
The Nifma apple tree begins to bloom in mid-spring, forming oval white buds. The blossoming flower is in the shape of a bowl, and the shade of the petals becomes creamy.
The leaves are wide enough, along the entire edge there are notches. The surface of the leaf plate is wrinkled. Each leaf is attached with a small petiole.
However, the main advantage of the Nifma apple variety is the fruit. The weight of each fruit reaches 300 g. The peel has a light green hue, however, almost the entire surface of the fruit is covered with a bright purple blush. Also, apples are characterized by pronounced subcutaneous points. Similar fruits have such varieties as Moscow winter, Orlinka, Orlovskoe striped and others. In addition, the apples have a pronounced waxy bloom, characteristic of winter apple varieties. Very high palatability of the fruit. The pulp here is sweet, with a lot of juice, and has a pronounced pleasant aroma and is able to retain its qualities even after long storage.
The fruits of the Nifma apple tree ripen here 140 days after the beginning of flowering. Like any plant, this variety has both advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are the good adaptation of the apple tree to various environmental conditions, early fruiting, high immunity to common fungal diseases, both of the tree and fruits, dessert taste and excellent appearance. The fruits have a long shelf life and can be transported. Apples are included in the diet. Of the minuses, only the self-infertility of the tree is noted.
Apple tree Nifma: planting
The planting of the Nifma apple tree variety is carried out in the same way as any other fruit tree. The optimal time will be both spring and autumn. First, you need to prepare a planting pit by filling it with soil mixed with organic fertilizers. The composition of the soil largely determines the further growth and fruiting of the tree.
If the soil is acidic, then lime should be added to it. You also need to take care of a sufficiently thick drainage layer. Groundwater at the site should be as deep as possible. If they are located close to the surface, then it is necessary to plant on a hill, as well as with loamy solid soil.
During planting, the distance between the seedlings should be observed so that the tree is well illuminated by the sun, but at the same time, it is protected from drafts. An apple tree will grow well behind some kind of shelter, however, provided that the building does not shade the tree.
In order to grow several copies of the variety, propagation using layering is used. To do this, the seedling must be planted at an angle, and with the beginning of spring, attach it to the ground with special brackets and cover it with soil. Further, the same care is carried out for the layering as for the apple tree for its better rooting, and after a year the resulting seedling can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Experienced gardeners recommend planting as many varieties of apple trees as possible suitable for the region. This will allow for less manipulation when leaving, and will also increase the yield of all trees.
Apple tree Nifma: care
Care here comes down to the most common activities, including regular watering, crown formation, fertilization, protection from diseases and insect pests, as well as preparatory procedures before the winter period.
Watering
The Nifma apple tree should be watered at least 5 times throughout the summer, at the rate of about 50 liters of water per tree. In order for moisture to penetrate as far as possible to the root system, it is necessary to loosen the soil first. Watering is usually done with a hose along the perimeter of the crown in a specially prepared groove or using the sprinkler method. In the second option, the leaves and fruits of the tree are simultaneously moistened and cleansed.
Pruning
Like any tree, the Nifma apple tree must be shaped and the branches cut off annually to increase the plant's yield. A low tree is easier to care for and easier to harvest. The sparseness of the crown will allow sunlight to pass to almost all branches and fruits. Pruning protects the plant from all kinds of diseases and insect pests, improves the appearance of the fruit. Pruning should be done in early spring before sap flow begins.
In addition to the formation of the crown, shoots that grow inside the crown and are called stepchildren should also be manually removed. Do not forget the pinching, where the tip of the young shoot is slightly shortened by hand or with pruning shears.
Chinese gardeners, in order for the tree to grow horizontally, place stones between the branches or pull the branches along the sides with the help of special bundles.
Feeding
Nifma apple trees are fertilized with the help of organic and mineral fertilizers, in accordance with the instructions indicated on the package, since there are different dosage schemes for liquid and granular forms of fertilizers.
Plant protection
Since the Nymph apple tree has a high immunity to various diseases, it will be enough here for prevention to whiten the trunk in autumn with lime or special paint.
This will help not only protect the tree from the very bright sun in early spring, but also preserve the integrity of the bark and prevent various pests from settling in it. Among the insects that can attack a tree, there are the moth, silkworms, apple moth and others.
Harvesting
The fruits of the Nifma apple variety are harvested on Pokrov Day. This is a great holiday. Usually, the harvest is carried out in clear weather without rain, so that the apples can be laid out in boxes and put away in a cool place for storage. You can eat the fruits after a while. The crop is usually stored in basements where the air temperature does not exceed 0 degrees.
Conclusion
The apple tree Nifma has a very large number of advantages, the main of which is the beautiful appearance and high taste of the fruit. In addition, the tree has a very long crop storage life. Observing the storage conditions, the fruits from the Nifma apple tree can be consumed fresh almost until the onset of summer.