Imant apple tree: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care rules

Apple tree is one of the most demanded crops. It is almost impossible to find a summer cottage without a couple of fruit trees. The popularity of the late-ripening apple variety Imant is explained by the possibility of long-term storage of the crop. A big plus is also resistance to scab damage. The advantages of the variety are appreciated by gardeners from different countries (Moldova, Russia, Ukraine).

History of breeding variety Imant

An interesting apple variety was bred by a group of Belarusian breeders in 1999 (the varieties Antey and Liberty were used as a basis). Although the Imant apple tree received official recognition only in 2010.

Distinctive features and benefits of culture

The main advantages of the variety are frost resistance (up to minus 25 °С) and resistance to scab. Other benefits deserve attention:

• precocity;
• excellent survival of seedlings;
• compact crown that does not require careful shaping.

The tree is weakly affected by diseases of the crown and bark (bacterial cancer, European cancer).

Apple tree description

High-yielding apple tree does not require special growing conditions and is suitable for planting in small cottages.

External characteristics

Fruits of an unusual shade ripen on the trees. The apple is covered with dark red skin with a purple tint.

Tree height and crown diameter

A round, slightly elongated dense crown with a diameter of 2.5-3 m is formed on a strong trunk. The branches do not require regular pruning and thinning.

Shape of leaves, flowers

Dense leaves of a standard shape with a pointed tip grow on thick and long cuttings. The foliage is a rich green color. Long stamens grow on large five-lobed white flowers.

The fruit and its tasting features

Imant apples have a rounded shape with a slightly elongated top. Large fruits differ in almost the same size, grow in weight 170-190 g. The juicy pulp of apples has a vanilla-cream tone. The sweet taste of the fruit is piquantly diluted with sour notes.

Disease resistance

The variety shows resistance to some diseases (powdery mildew, scab). To prevent the occurrence of other diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment in a timely manner.

Frost and drought resistance

The variety is frost-resistant. According to gardeners, the trees are also worthy of drought on hot days.

Life span of a tree

This indicator is average for the Imant variety - trees, with good care, grow and develop for 15-20 years. But the fertility of apple trees older than 15 years is decreasing.

Yields

The variety is productive - from one adult tree you can get 20-25 kg of fruit. The first worthy crops are harvested from apple trees aged 2-3 years.

The period of ripening and fruiting

For all gardeners, the important characteristics of fruit tree varieties are the ripening time and the duration of the preservation of the crop.

Beginning of fruiting

Imant variety is early-growing - the first crops are harvested from 2-3-year-old trees. The advantage of the variety is regular fruiting, there is no alternation of seasons.

Who is the pollinator of the variety

Flowers are pollinated mainly by bees and bumblebees. Other insects, gusts of wind also help.

Flower period

The Imant variety does not differ from other apple trees in this indicator - the trees bloom at the end of May. The phase of abundant and friendly flowering lasts about a week and a half. Pinkish buds open into white flowers.

Apple ripening dates

Fruits begin to ripen from the second half of September. It is difficult to determine the state of maturity by the appearance of apples. Experienced gardeners suggest evaluating the ripeness of fruits by the color of the pulp. To do this, a solution of iodine is dripped onto the cut - in unripe fruits, the flesh acquires a dark blue tint, and ripe ones do not change shade.

Harvest and use of crops

Harvest begins in the second half of September and ends with the onset of the first October frosts. The real taste of the fruit manifests itself over time, so the crop is immediately stored for storage. Apples are consumed mostly fresh.

How to grow an apple tree in the garden

To grow a luxurious garden of fruit trees, it is important to choose the right seedlings, provide trees with proper care.

Terms and rules of boarding

It is recommended to plant seedlings in spring in areas with a temperate climate. Autumn days are great for planting the Imant apple tree in the southern regions. The seedling is placed in a pit 85-90 cm deep, 60-65 cm in diameter. A distance of 3-3.5 m is maintained between the pits.

Features of agricultural technology

When growing apple trees, standard agricultural practices are used. Trees thrive best in loamy soils. Therefore, clay lands are “diluted” with a mixture of peat and sand. And sandy soil is supplemented with humus or manure.

Landing

It is advisable to prepare the pits in advance (about a week). Planting seedlings is carried out in several stages:

• the bottom is covered with a layer of drainage (pebbles, expanded clay, broken stone);
• form a low mound of earth at the bottom;
• the seedling is placed on top of the hill, and the hole is covered with potting soil.

When planting, the root neck is not sprinkled with earth. Landing is watered with warm, settled water.

Irrigation

In the first years of life, seedlings are watered twice a week. It is impossible to allow stagnation of moisture in the soil, so the earth is loosened and mulched after irrigation. Mature trees need abundant irrigation during flowering and fruit formation.

Feeding

If the soil was properly fertilized during planting, then top dressing begins to be applied from the next season.It is recommended to use organic and mineral additives. In early spring, the soil is fertilized with urea. At the beginning of the flowering of apple trees, a mixture of urea (100 g), potassium (50 g) and superphosphate (80 g), diluted in 20 liters of water, is used. At the end of flowering, a solution of nitrophos is used.

Cutting and shaping

Imant apple trees do not require specific crown formation. They simply shorten too long shoots and cut off the branches growing inside the crown. Sanitary pruning is reduced to the removal of diseased, dry and damaged branches. Work with branches is carried out in autumn or spring, the cuts are smeared with garden pitch.

Prophylactic treatment

To protect trees from diseases, it is recommended to spray the crown with fungicides Nitrafen, Topaz as a preventive measure - before flowering and after the appearance of the ovary. Of insects, codling moths, caterpillars, mites, and aphids cause the greatest harm.For preventive treatment of foliage, drugs Dicofol, Karbofos are used.

Covering for the winter

The Imant apple variety is frost-resistant, but the trees need to be prepared for winter: the trunk circle is cleared of fallen leaves, the soil is watered abundantly and mulched, the trunk is wrapped in burlap.

Subspecies and variants

Imant seedlings may differ in some features. There is a dwarf subspecies and a clone.

Dwarf

Trees grow low, the first apples can be plucked already from two-year-old seedlings. However, apple trees that are about 5 years old give full yields.

Clone

Apple trees on clonal rootstocks grow up to 2 m high, form a compact crown. The trees bear fruit well and consistently, great for planting in small areas.

There are no special requirements for the care of Imant apple trees, standard work is carried out - watering, fertilizing. Therefore, even novice gardeners can harvest voluminous crops.

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