Apple tree Asterisk
Content:
The heroine of today's article is an apple tree Asterisk. It's no secret that in central Russia, not all varieties of apple trees take root equally well. Many cultures need special climatic conditions, which, for example, the Moscow region does not have. Therefore, not all fruit trees take root here normally. Temperature drops in winter, as well as hot summers, adversely affect the development and fruiting of apple trees.
Therefore, breeders have worked hard to bring out a new variety of apple trees. The Zvezdochka apple variety is suitable for almost all regions of our country. Today we will tell you about the Zvezdochka apple variety and its characteristics. Advantages and disadvantages. And also about the specifics of crop care. Let's focus on the rules for growing this apple tree in different regions of Russia. And also on the subspecies of the variety. We hope the information provided will be useful to you.
Apple tree Asterisk: variety description
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
Apple trees Zvezdochka are quite tall. Skeletal branches are thick. And young shoots are thin. The bark is usually dark brown in color. Branches are long enough, slightly lowered from below. The leaves are kept on short cuttings. Oval with small jagged edges. The fruits of the Asterisk apple tree are light green and tasty. Sometimes red streaks appear on the surface. The apples are round in shape, sometimes ribbed. That is why the variety got its name. These plants have a lot of advantages, which we will talk about a little later.
These apple trees are loved by gardeners in many regions. Because the Asterisk apple tree is not demanding or whimsical. But the harvest is always consistently high. This variety was bred in the last century, in the Oryol region. Initially, the Zvezdochka apple tree was planned to be grown only in the north-western regions of our country. However, the new variety conquered with its qualities. Therefore, apple trees are planted in many climatic zones. This culture takes root even in the most unfavorable conditions.
Apple tree Asterisk: advantages and disadvantages
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
If speak about merits apple varieties Zvezdochka, it should be noted, first of all, the annual fruiting. The crop has an excellent presentation and excellent taste. The fruits can be stored for a long time. And also to transport long distances. Because the food does not spoil. This variety also has high immunity. Therefore, plants do not get sick with many diseases. And pests do not settle on a tree.
However, this variety has its own limitations. Therefore, it should be said about them. Apple tree Asterisk is not very hardy. Therefore, for the winter, the plant will need to be covered. It should also be said that the harvest is declining annually. Therefore, it is not necessary to rely on an abundance of fruits for too long. However, the intensity of fruiting primarily depends on the formation of the crown. And also from proper care. Therefore, you should not indulge in the rules of agricultural technology.
Features of the Asterisk apple tree
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
In the height of the Zvezdochka apple trees, they grow as much as 8 meters. Therefore, this culture is classified as tall. The crown has a slightly rounded shape. However, over time, the branches grow, becoming spreading. So the crown is also quite massive in breadth.Each year, 10 centimeters of growth are formed on young branches. Therefore, shoots grow more than intensively. So it will be necessary to form a crown and cut branches annually.
The apples are small. The mass of one fruit is 100-150 g. The crop bears fruit regularly. As a rule, you can harvest up to 170 kilograms of apples from one tree per year. However, sometimes gardeners note that more fruits can be harvested. More than 200 kilograms. They taste sweet and sour. The pulp is firm and juicy, sometimes with a pinkish tinge. There are few seeds in the fruit. Therefore, apples are highly rated for tasting qualities.
Apple-tree Zvezdochka: agrotechnical features of cultivation
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
As you remember, trees are not very hardy. Therefore, even at minus 25 degrees, the root system begins to freeze slightly. So it will be necessary to cover the trunk circle. For this, spruce branches, breathing agromaterial, burlap are used. But do not forget to remove the blanket in time in the spring so that rot does not form under the blanket. And also pests did not multiply.
The Asterisk apple variety is considered resistant to many diseases and pests. For example, to scab. However, sometimes apple trees get sick with powdery mildew. And also fruit rot. If we talk about garden pests, then it should be noted that they very rarely affect the crown of the tree. If you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, properly care for the plant, the apple tree can amaze you with a very high yield.
Some gardeners grow this variety on dwarf rootstocks. Therefore, the apple tree does not grow so much in height. Which saves space well in the country. This variety is considered resistant to unfavorable climatic phenomena, frost. And also diseases. The yield is always good and the fruits are delicious. They are perfectly stored until spring. Apples can be processed and consumed fresh.
Despite the fact that seedlings are not cheap, you will definitely like these apple trees. Therefore, it is quite easy to collect 200 kg from one tree. Even if you consider yourself a beginner in the gardening craft. Apples have a rich bright color, waxy coating, ribbed structure. In addition, they are also very aromatic and tasty. There are always a lot of ovaries also formed.
Apple tree Asterisk: planting rules
In order for the Asterisk apple tree seedling to take root well, you need to choose the right place for planting. It is best to plant the apple tree in a well-lit place, sheltered from the wind, with fertile soil. If we talk about acidity, then apple trees prefer neutral soil or slightly alkaline. Saplings begin to plant in early spring. This is best done at the end of April, when the soil warms up well. And all the snow will melt. Do not forget that mature trees have a spreading crown. Therefore, keep your distance. Plant the plants 5 m apart.
The planting pit should be relatively small, up to 50 centimeters deep. As a rule, peat, wood ash, superphosphate are added to the soil. Moreover, top dressing must be mixed with the ground so that the roots of the seedling do not come into direct contact with fertilizers. It is immediately necessary to install a wooden peg in the pit. About one and a half meters. This is necessary in order to tie a seedling to it after planting. What helps the plant adapt to a new place.
The root system will need to be straightened out well. And only after that fill the hole with earth. The planting hole is usually watered abundantly so that the soil is saturated with moisture. After you plant the apple tree, you should tamp the ground. Tie the tree to the support. And also to mulch the topsoil. For this, the surface of the earth is covered with sawdust, dry grass or straw. The support will protect the seedling from strong winds or snowfall in winter.
Variety care rules
In order for the Zvezdochka apple tree to grow and develop intensively, you need to feed the earth with useful substances and microelements. The first time you should feed the plants in the fall, applying phosphorus-potassium fertilizers to the soil. In the spring, humus, rotted manure or compost are often embedded in the soil. In summer, nitrogen-containing fertilizers should not be applied to the soil. Because they contribute to the growth of green mass, which is detrimental to fruiting. In general, it should be noted that the apple trees of this variety are quite unpretentious. Therefore, they do not need any additional care.
Limit yourself to adherence to the watering regime. And also by mulching the soil of the trunk circle. However, you should not forget to cut the crown of the tree. Because due to excessive thickening, the yield may decrease. The fruits become smaller and do not ripen. When pruning plants, the branches should be shortened no more than one third of their length. Moreover, the first time you will need to cut the seedling immediately after planting. Every spring, it is recommended to carry out sanitary pruning of the Asterisk apple tree, removing all diseased branches. As well as dry and damaged shoots.
It is advisable to treat the cut sites with garden varnish so that infections do not penetrate the wounds. It would be nice to plant other species of this fruit crop next to the apple tree of this variety so that they are cross-pollinated. The Bogatyr winter apple tree looks good in this role. The Zvezdochka apple tree does not bear fruit so early. Therefore, this should be taken into account when selecting pollinator varieties.
The first time the Asterisk apple tree begins to bear fruit usually in the fifth year after planting. However, the harvest will not be as bountiful. Most likely, you will only collect a few apples. However, the number of fruits will increase every year. Therefore, you should not worry about the yield. This apple tree also blooms quite late. This should be taken into account when landing. The first flowers usually bloom in mid-May. And the fruits ripen in the fall. That is why apples are often crumbled. So keep a close eye on the fruit ripening process.
Store the fruits of the Zvezdochka apple tree in cool rooms. Best of all when the air temperature is about 0 degrees. The presentation of the fruit is not lost during storage. Therefore, even after 7 months, you can delight yourself and your loved ones with ripe and aromatic apples. And even very attractive. They will remain the same tempting and delicious.
Subspecies of apple varieties Zvezdochka
This variety has its own subspecies. Apple tree Asterisk is very fond of gardeners. Therefore, we decided to improve many qualities. Very often this crop is planted using a dwarf rootstock. Thus, a tree usually grows no more than 3 meters in height. Also, the shoots become less spreading. And the crown is not so massive that summer residents really like it. But the fruits of the dwarf subspecies do not differ at all from the original. The apples remain the same tasty, aromatic and beautiful.
Due to the fact that gardeners use dwarf rootstocks, new plant subspecies have many advantages. For example, the compact size of the crown. Trees do not take up much space on the site. In addition, the culture becomes more frost-resistant. And the seedling bears fruit already in the second year after planting. And the fruits ripen much earlier, at 2 weeks for sure. However, the life of the plant is reduced. Therefore, the culture will actively bear fruit for no more than 15 years.
Columnar varieties of apple trees
But this variety does not have columnar subspecies. Therefore, let's talk about other masterpieces of selection. It is no secret that gardeners are very fond of columnar varieties. Because the fruits of such apple trees are formed directly on the stem. The branches of such plants are straight. And the apples are located right along the trunk.
Crohn is practically absent in these varieties. Therefore, it will be possible to plant many similar trees on the personal plot. At the same time, the yield will be quite high.Columnar apple trees are harvested more than 10 kilograms from one tree. The fruits are usually small. The mass of one fruit is not more than 200 g. These crops also bear fruit earlier than traditional varieties.
However, plants have a shorter lifespan. Therefore, columnar apple trees are recommended to be updated on time. But the Asterisk apple tree does not have such a subspecies. Therefore, let's move on to considering winter varieties.
Apple tree Asterisk: winter subspecies
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
These Zvezdochka apple trees are considered to be more frost-resistant. As a rule, they tolerate low temperatures well. Up to minus 37 degrees. The tree bears fruit from the age of four. The yield is also high and stable. You can harvest more than 200 kg of ripe product from one tree. However, the fruit will be slightly smaller. The weight of one apple, as a rule, ranges from 50 to 100 g. Fruits ripen in autumn, at the beginning of October. Zvezdochka winter varieties are resistant to many diseases and pests. Therefore, this indicator is considered a virtue of culture. The fruits of such apple trees are always very beautiful. They have a pleasant marketable appearance. And the taste is not inferior to traditional summer cultures.
Apple-tree Asterisk: analogs of the variety
Apples Asterisk: photo of the variety
If you did not find a Star apple seedling, then you can pick up and grow its analogue. The most common variety, similar in its characteristics to the Zvezdochka apple tree, is considered Antonovka. This tree also has a spreading crown, lowered to the ground. The culture usually begins to bear fruit in the seventh year after planting. And the fruits ripen in early autumn. Usually in September.
The apples are round, slightly oval in shape. Characteristic yellow color. Sweet and sour to taste. The yield at Antonovka is more than high. As a rule, from one tree you can collect half a ton of tasty and fragrant fruits, besides, this culture is also not very capricious. Therefore, Antonovka is grown not only in Russia, but also abroad. These apples are highly regarded in the world market.
Apple tree Asterisk and striped anise
Another analogue of an asterisk is Anise striped. This amazing plant also has a dense crown, conical in shape. The tree grows very intensively. Therefore, it will be necessary to carry out pruning and shaping. Some gardeners believe that these apple trees are real long-livers. Because they can bear fruit for as long as 100 years. It should be said that it is for this that such fruit trees are especially valued.
Fruits ripen in autumn, usually in October. Apples taste sweet and sour. The pulp is juicy and very aromatic. And also dense. Up to 350 kg of delicious apples are harvested from one tree. Therefore, the yield is also very high in this variety. But in care, this culture is completely unpretentious. Which is considered an important benefit.
Apple tree Asterisk and Cinnamon variety
Another late-ripening apple variety - Brown is new. The crown of the trees is also spreading. Fruits are small, sweet-sour to taste, aromatic. The harvest begins, as a rule, in October. Moreover, from one tree you can get 150 kg of ripe fruits. Therefore, this culture is also referred to as high-yielding varieties. These trees are frost resistant. They have high immunity. Therefore, diseases, as a rule, practically do not suffer. And pests do not infect their fragile crown. These apple trees are grown, as a rule, in central Russia. Because they love a temperate climate.
Conclusion
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
The Zvezdochka apple tree is very often grown in the Moscow region. These apple trees can withstand low temperatures. And also do not get sick with fungal diseases. However, this culture should be covered for the winter. -30 apple trees do not tolerate well. So in late autumn, the trunk circle should be mulched with humus. And also wrap the tree trunk with a covering breathable material.
If you live in the northwestern region of our country, then it is best to graft this variety on dwarf trees. Thus, the culture will become more frost-resistant. But the growth and development will not be so intense. Fruits will crumble less. And the root system will become more stable. You can plant Zvezdochka in areas where groundwater is close to the surface of the earth. Dwarf rootstocks are not afraid of excess moisture.
However, it is best to grow these apple trees in central Russia. Well-known gardeners and agronomists were engaged in this in the last century. However, you will need to follow the basic rules of farming. And also properly care for the plant. This is usually not a big deal. The culture is considered to be truly unpretentious.
Apple tree Asterisk: photo of the variety
If you follow the planting rules, then you can grow good, solid trees. And, of course, you will receive a bountiful harvest every year. And not only in the central regions of our country. If you have not found the desired seedling, then you can grow analogs. And also use rootstocks. We hope you won't have any problems with these apple trees. And the Zvezdochka apple tree will become a real decoration of your garden, its bright star.
Apple-tree Zvezdochka: reviews of gardeners about the variety
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Ivan Vitalievich, Samara region: “Our Zvezdochka apple tree is already twenty years old, it is a large spreading tree. We harvest from the Asterisk apple tree every year, although some periodicity is noticeable - after a harvest year, a much less productive year always follows, but the tree does not completely rest. Zvezdochka apples are delicious and very beautiful, we do not use them for preservation. We store it in the basement, periodically coming to the dacha for a new portion of vitamins.
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Stepan Maksimovich, Moscow region: “The Zvezdochka apple tree seedling was given to us by friends and after 3 years we were able to taste the first apples, which everyone liked very much. Now an adult tree is growing in the garden, which gives an excellent harvest every year, there are enough apples for the whole winter, from which an amazingly tasty juice is obtained. The good news is that for all the years the Zvezdochka apple tree has never been sick! ".
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Margarita Kirillovna, Leningrad region: “Since our Zvezdochka apple tree began to bear fruit, we almost stopped buying apples - the harvest harvested in the fall is enough until spring! The tree does not get sick, the only problem is to catch the moment and have time to pick the Zvezdochka apples before they start to crumble. "