Christmas apple tree: variety description and characteristics, planting and care
Among the fruit variety, the Rozhdestvenskoye apple tree has managed to gain popularity, despite its rather young age. Due to its unique resistance to scab, precocity, compactness, it occupies a worthy place in small private gardens and intensive industrial horticulture. Acquaintance with the variety will reveal its best qualities and cultivation features.
History of selection
The work of a group of Russian breeders to create new varieties of apple trees resistant to scab led to the appearance in 2001 of the triploid variety Rozhdestvenskoye.Absolute resistance to the disease was obtained using the Vf gene by crossing the common variety Welsey and the hybrid form BM41497. The variety is adapted to the weather conditions of the Central regions of Russia and registered in the State Register.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Christmas apple tree met the expectations of breeders and has a number of positive qualities:
- almost complete immunity to scab;
- precocity;
- regular fruiting;
- dessert flavor;
- attractive presentation;
- good yield.
But the variety has some minor flaws:
- extended maturation;
- fruit shedding;
- some deterioration in the taste of apples during long-term storage.
Description of the tree
Apple trees have a compact, neat appearance and strong, powerful main branches.
External characteristics
Weakly articulated, strong shoots are located at an angle of 45-80 degrees to the trunk and form a wide-pyramidal, medium leafy crown. The leaves are ovate, with a twisted, pointed apex and a wavy, serrated edge. The leaf blade is slightly pubescent, matte, green. White-pink buds are collected 4-6 pieces in inflorescences in the form of umbrellas.
Tree height and crown width
Depending on the rootstock, mature trees reach a height of 3-4 m, a width of 2-3 m.
Annual growth
Trees grow quickly and intensively. Young seedlings, under favorable conditions, grow annually by 40-70 cm.
Root system
The root system of the apple tree is close to the surface.
Resistant to frost and drought
Adult Christmas apple tree tolerates frosts down to -40 °C. It is better to warm the trunks of young plants for the winter, and mulch the trunk circle. During the dry season, plants need watering.
What diseases is prone to
Scab resistance does not protect against the risk of powdery mildew in long periods of wet, cold weather. Among the dangerous pests are aphids, mites and leafworms.
All about the harvest
The appearance of apples is estimated at 4.4 points on a 5-point scale. The fruits are medium in size, slightly flattened. The peel is dense, but not thick, has a glossy sheen. The greenish-yellow surface of the fruit is almost completely covered with red, with cherry patches, blush.The weight of apples is from 130 to 180 g. The average yield of an adult orchard is about 180 centners per 1 ha.
Pollinator varieties
The possibility of cross-pollination occurs when other varieties bloom simultaneously at a distance not exceeding 50 m.
Begin offering
The variety begins to bear fruit in the 4th year after planting on the rootstock.
Apple ripening dates
Rozhdestvenskoye belongs to the group of early winter varieties. The ripening of apples does not occur simultaneously and ends by the end of September. Some of the fruits may crumble by this time, so harvesting is carried out in several stages. The fruits are ready to eat immediately after picking.
Taste and nutritional value of apples
The flesh of apples is white, with a slight creamy tint, dense, but very juicy structure. The taste is dessert, sour-sweet, rated at 4.3 points out of 5. Nutrient content varies by weather and region. Averages:
- sugars - 10.4%;
- pectic substances - 14.0%;
- titratable acids - less than 0.5%.
Periodicity
With the right agricultural technology, Rozhdestvenskoye, having reached the age of fruiting, gives a stable harvest every year, without periodicity.
Where the fruits are used
Rozhdestvenskoe variety apples are suitable for fresh consumption, for children and diet food. They retain consumer qualities for 3 months or more. When processed, good jams, mousses, marmalades are obtained.
Features of planting Christmas apple trees and subsequent care
The plant does not require special agrotechnical measures. Growing rules are traditional for fruit trees, and following them will allow you to get a good harvest of quality fruits every year.
Areas where landings are possible
Christmas does not respond well to sudden changes in temperature and is more suitable for growing in regions with a mild climate. Subject to regular watering, it feels ideal in the Volga region. The variety is zoned in the Central and Central Black Earth regions.
Attention! In the Urals and Siberia, the superficial root system can die in harsh winters.
Rules for preparing seedlings
Seedlings are carefully examined, damaged vegetative organs are removed. Dried roots are kept in water for 1-2 days. To improve the development of the root system, Kornevin or other growth stimulants are used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Timing and planting schemes
Planting is carried out in autumn, after dropping foliage, at the end of September, the first half of October.In regions with a cold climate, work is best done in the spring, before the awakening of the kidneys. Seedlings with a closed root system in mild climates can be planted all year round.
The optimal distance between Rozhdestvenskoye variety apple trees is at least 3.0-3.5 m, between rows - 4.0-5.0 m.
Fertilizer
When planting, 5-8 kg of compost and 100-150 g of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied, which provide plant nutrition in the first year of life. Subsequent feeding is carried out twice a year:
- spring - nitrogen fertilizers;
- in autumn, organic matter and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied for digging the soil.
Irrigation
The sequence of watering directly depends on weather conditions. Humidification is carried out as the soil dries. Most often, seedlings planted in spring and in the first year of life are watered.
Attention! Excess moisture harms the apple tree, so watering should be moderate, and after heavy rains, the soil in the trunk circle must be loosened.
Cutting
Formation begins in the second year after planting, the trunk of the seedling is cut at a height of 80-90 cm, directing the plant's strength to the growth of side shoots. Pruning is carried out annually, in the spring, removing damaged, dried, extra annual shoots directed inside the crown.
Mulching
In order to preserve moisture and successfully engraft the seedling, the trunk circle is mulched with a layer of 5-8 cm. Sawdust, peat, humus or rotted manure are used as mulch. In winter, this layer protects the root system from freezing.
Different types of rootstocks
The right choice of apple seedlings allows rational use of the garden area.
Dwarf and semi-dwarf
Rozhdestvenskoe is grown on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks, which ensures low growth of trees and compactness.
Columnar
There are no columnar varieties of the Rozhdestvenskoe apple tree.
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