Apple tree winter striped
Content:
What criteria do you follow when choosing varieties of fruit trees for your garden? Undoubtedly, the taste of the fruit, yield, immunity of the tree and its frost resistance are important. In addition, the shelf life of the fruits is still a very important factor, and according to this indicator, the Winter striped apple tree is one of the clear leaders, because the fruits of this variety can be stored under proper conditions almost until April, without losing their taste and useful properties.
The "parents" of the variety "Winter striped" are apple trees "Borovinka" and "Reneth champagne". At the Michurin All-Russian Research Institute, a team of breeders consisting of ZI Ivanova, G.A. Lobanov, S.I. Isaev worked on the breeding of this variety. The variety has successfully passed the tests and was recommended for cultivation in Mordovia, Tatarstan, Penza, Ulyanovsk and Samara regions.
Apple-tree Winter striped: variety description and characteristics
Apple-tree Winter striped: photo of the variety
Apple trees of the Winter striped variety can be classified as medium-sized. They have a rounded oval crown. The main branches that make up the "skeleton" of the tree are located almost at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the trunk. The color of the bark on the trunk and "skeletal" branches is yellowish-brown, strongly pubescent shoots are dark brown. The dark green leaf plate is large, its surface is covered with fine wrinkles.
Apple tree blooms Winter striped rather late. White flowers with oval petals are of medium size, the stigma is located on the same level with the anthers - this is one of the signs of self-fertility of the variety. However, if you want to increase the yield of your tree, it is recommended to plant nearby pollinators that bloom at the same time as Winter Striped, such as Welsey or Saffron Pepin.
Fruits are formed on simple ringlets, spears and short fruit twigs. Harvesting time begins in the second or third decade of September. Fruits weighing from 140 to 170 grams by the time of harvest have a green-yellow color, in the process of ripening they acquire a golden yellow color.
The cover color resembles bright red streaks or stripes - hence the name of the variety. The appearance of the fruit is very attractive and is estimated at 4.3 points. But the tasting score is even higher - 4.5 points. The creamy juicy aromatic pulp of the fruit has a loose and delicate texture, the taste is sweet with a subtle sourness.
Fruits tolerate transportation well and are able to maintain their marketable appearance for a long time. As we said at the very beginning of the article, in proper conditions (that is, at a temperature of 0 ... + 2 degrees), apples of this variety can be stored until April.
Due to the dessert taste, the fruits are actively consumed fresh, but they are also great for making juices, preserves and jam, freezing and drying.
A characteristic feature of the Winter striped apple variety is that even young trees give a good harvest, and this figure will grow every year. Under favorable conditions, up to 80 kg of apples can be harvested from a fifteen-year-old apple tree. Older trees may have a periodicity in fruiting, that is, a very productive year will alternate with a less productive one.
Experts note that you can maximize all the advantages of the variety by growing it on a dwarf rootstock - this allows you to shorten the waiting time for the first harvest and facilitate tree care.
Diseases and harmful insects
The "Winter striped" apple variety cannot boast of very strong immunity and has an average resistance to fungal diseases. In a rainy summer, signs of scab can often be found on the leaves, but the fruits in most cases remain unaffected. To prevent the appearance of harmful insects and various diseases, attention should be paid to preventive measures:
- Timely pruning of the tree, removing damaged branches and preventing thickening of the crown.
- Weed and loosen the area of the trunk circle, collect and burn fallen leaves.
- In the spring before flowering and in the fall after leaf fall, treat the crown of the tree with Bordeaux liquid.
- Also, in spring and autumn, it is advisable to cover the tree trunk with whitewash, using a purchased or self-prepared composition for this. Such a measure will help protect the tree from pests, burns, and frost.
- To prevent the appearance of harmful insects, you can spray the crown of the apple tree with an insecticide of complex action, but this must be done before the flowers bloom. During the ripening period of the crop, for the prevention and control of pests, you can use solutions based on tar or laundry soap with the addition of various ingredients.
Apple tree Winter striped: advantages and disadvantages
Apple-tree Winter striped: photo of the variety
In conclusion, let's systematize the information received and highlight the obvious advantages and disadvantages of this variety.
The advantages of the Winter striped apple tree include the following qualities:
- Early maturity. You will be able to harvest the first crop in three years.
- High productivity.
- Excellent taste and attractive appearance of the fruit.
- Long shelf life of apples, thanks to which you will be provided with fresh fruit until spring (subject to storage conditions).
But the winter striped apple variety also has disadvantages:
- Average indicators of winter hardiness. The gardener will have to take time to prepare the tree for winter - to mulch the trunk circle and insulate the bole with spruce branches and geotextiles. It is especially important to wrap up young trees.
- Average resistance of the tree to fungal diseases. But it should be noted that with good care of the garden, illnesses can be avoided, and your apple tree with a striped one will delight you with a rich harvest and beautiful appearance.