Apple tree Zhigulevsky variety - this is a tree on which fruits ripen only in autumn, depending on the type of area, apples can be eaten either in early autumn or only late.
Description of the variety Zhigulevskoe
Experiments on the breeding of the Zhigulevskoye variety were carried out by Russian botanists and breeders in Samara at a special research base. During the study two varieties of apples were crossed - Russian and American.
The experiments gave a positive result, therefore Zhiguli apples are listed in the international register of varieties, it is recommended to grow them in private summer cottages for an amateur purpose.
This variety is considered fruitful., in addition, the apples are large, each of them reaches a weight of 250 grams. The apples themselves are round, ranging in color from red to maroon. They taste pleasant, sweet, with a noticeable sourness.
These apples are not juicy, therefore, about their taste, it would be appropriate to say "for an amateur". The skin of the apple is thick, protects the pulp, which is creamy in color with a noticeable yellowness.
The optimal time for harvesting Zhigulevskoye apples is September 5th.
The apple tree is "alive", its buds open early and quickly, it begins to bear fruit in the fourth year after planting, the crown of the tree is not thick, so the trunk and branches are sufficiently illuminated by the sun, this contributes to high yields.
This variety is recognized as self-pollinating, so it will be difficult to harvest a lot from the apple tree if it grows alone and the owner of the garden has not taken care of the neighboring apple trees nearby.
Besides, it is beneficial to plant such apple trees near those places where there is an apiary or beekeeping farms. The scent of apple blossoms attracts bees and they can help pollinate the plant.
If pollination goes well, then you can wait for a harvest that will be enough not only for yourself, but some of the apples can be handed over for sale.
Advantages and disadvantages
This is not to say that the Zhigulevskoye apple tree is such a tree that is easy to care for and has many advantages.
Probably, it is planted by those who just like the taste of apples, and this is why.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- From the parent variety, the American Wagner apple tree, variety Zhigulevskoe inherited poor wintering ability, so you have to work hard so that the apple tree overwinters normally and does not freeze, otherwise, next year you will have to forget about your favorite apples.
- The Zhigulevskoe variety is not resistant to scab, a disease that is caused by an abundance of moisture, therefore, in central Russia, an apple tree is unlikely to yield a crop. It cannot be said that it is protected from other pests.
- When a tree becomes ripe, it stops bearing fruit regularly, harvests happen every few years.
Experienced gardeners who have grafting skills will be able to plant this variety on a winter-hardy base. Lingonberry apple trees, Polosaty and Anis varieties are good for this.
- The advantages of the variety are the following:
- Apples are stored for a long time, whole, undamaged fruits can lie for about two months.
- High productivity.
How apples are stored
Store apples in a specially designated room., whose temperature is up to 0 degrees.
After removing the apples from the tree, no need to wash or wipe them, this damages the protective wax layer.
Apples need to be wrapped in paper and put in boxes or other clean containers, then they can be stored almost until winter.
How to properly cover an apple tree for the winter
The region of natural growth is the middle zone of Russia. With proper care, it survives well and hibernates in other areas.
It is widely believed that apple trees need to be covered for the winter only so that they are not beaten by frost.
No one argues with this, this is how everything should be done, but you also need to know that apple trees and other trees also shelter for the winter from hares and other rodentsthat wander in search of food and can severely spoil apple trees.
Besides, the apple tree also shelters from the windso that it does not break from his gusts, and there are no burns on the bark.
What do you need to do for the apple tree to winter:
- Even before the onset of frost, but not after it, the apple tree must be properly watered and fertilized with manure.
- Inspect the bark for aging and damage. Remove all unnecessary and dry bark, however, this must be done extremely carefully so as not to damage the healthy bark.
- The trunk must be treated with a solution of ferrous sulfate, this protects well against parasites, including lichen.
- After that, insulate the trunk with soil. For this, soil from your own garden is suitable. Pour it around the trunk and tamp, but not hard.
- To ensure the reliable safety of the apple tree, the place near the trunk must be densely covered with grass (even weeds torn from the garden, twigs, the ideal option is spruce branches, so if possible, then you need to use it).
- When the snow falls, it is advisable to collect more of it and additionally cover the apple tree with it.
- You cannot remove such a blanket throughout the winter, otherwise the apple tree will die.
To determine the state of the tree and whether it has died, cut a twig and examine it carefully.
If the cut is deep white, then the tree is all right. If it turns brown or brown, this means that the care was not carried out very well and the apple tree still froze.
You should not draw such conclusions ahead of time, only a few branches could freeze. There is no need to run after the ax in frustrated feelings and get rid of the apple tree, you need to wait for spring and once again see how the tree will behave.
It is believed that only young trees need intensive insulation for the winter, the older the tree, the less it needs to be covered.
How to trim properly
While the apple tree is still young, it should be pruned regularly.to form the correct crown. If you do this correctly, then the apple tree will bear more and stronger fruit. You need to prune the apple tree only in the second year after it has been planted.
First of all, correct the growth of the apple tree, this is done by pinching the crown. This helps the branches grow widely.
So that the apples are large and tasty, you need to do the thinning of the ovary... This requires a central fetus from the bunch.
If this is not done, then the apples will be small and tasteless, and will not ripen enough.
How to care
So that the apple tree grows and gives a harvest, you need to apply nitrogen-based fertilizers... A signal to the fact that this substance is not enough will be yellow leaves, which crumble out of season.
For buds to form it is necessary to apply phosphorus fertilizers... For young shoots to emerge, develop and grow, calcium-based fertilization is necessary.
Fertilizers need to be applied annually, the best time for this is autumn.
Diseases and pests
Fruit moth
To protect the tree from this pest, you need to take preventive measures, such as harvesting fallen apples and leaves, digging up the soil under the apple tree, cleaning the bark.
If such a pest was noticed, then you need to set traps on the tracks, they are placed on the trunk. When the caterpillars fall into a trap, they only need to be removed and destroyed in a timely manner.
To prevent the parasites from returning, spray the trunk with wormwood solution.
Burns
The bark of the tree is dark, therefore she can get sunburn... Whitewashing or wrapping the tree with thick paper helps from this.
Reviews
Nina, 41 years old, Saratov: “Some of my favorite apples, sour, delicious. Their only drawback is that they winter badly. For me, the shelf life of apples is important, Zhigulevskys do not fail, they are stored for a long time, especially in the cellar. " Website otzyvy.pro
Igor, 38 years old, Rostov-on-Don: “The variety ripens late, in order for the taste to be brighter, you need to let the apples lie down for a while. I can't say that I love them madly, but I don't refuse them either. " Site Variety specialist
Larisa, 52 years old, Mozhaisk: “Apples that taste great, one of my favorites, the whole family eats with pleasure. I have been growing for many years now and I plan to expand the planting area, I will grow it for sale, since not only me, but also my friends and neighbors like apples. " Replies to mail.ru
Dmitry, 42 years old, Shchelkovo: “I love apples, I have been growing them for many years, I purchased the Zhigulevskoye variety a long time ago and did not regret it. You have to wrap the apple tree well during cold weather, but the whole family eats tasty and aromatic apples almost until winter. Enough not only for food, but also for various homemade products: compotes, jam, jam, which goes well in pies in winter. " MegaCity website
In this way, an apple tree of the Zhigulevskoye variety definitely deserves to decorate your summer cottage.