Apple Florina: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care rules

The apple tree is one of the common plants in the garden. Its fruits have a large number of useful elements. An apple tree called Florina is a selection product of French specialists. They created a variety whose fruits can be consumed almost until the summer. Next, the history of selection is told, a description and characteristics of the Florin apple tree, the nuances of the fruiting of the tree, the features of planting and caring for the garden plot are given.

History of selection of variety Florina

The hybrid was bred by French specialists in the middle of the 20th century. To do this, they crossed the following varieties of apple trees: Starking, Golden Delicious, Rum Beauty, Jonathan.Florina is grown in many European countries. Additional information. The variety was entered into the State Register of Russia in 2000.

Apple tree characteristics

As a result of hard work, breeders bred an apple tree for winter consumption. The hybrid has good immunity, resistant to many crop diseases.

External tree parameters

The variety is characterized by medium growth. Due to this, it is convenient for gardeners to harvest crops from trees without the use of special devices. According to the description, the tree looks attractive, able to decorate the garden.

Trunk height

The tree reaches a height of 2-4 meters. The trunk is wide, strong. The branches are arranged at an angle of 60-80 °. Their ends are slightly bent up.

Crown width

The shape of the crown is rounded. Florina is characterized by a high growth rate of branches. Therefore, for good fruiting, the crown must be cut at least once a year.

Annual growth

The shoot-forming ability of young trees is high. During the season, the growth of branches is 40-60 centimeters. Fruiting occurs on kolchatka and tops of annual shoots.

Shape of leaves and flowers

Leaves are green, egg-shaped. Their lower part is slightly pubescent. Flowering is long. The petals are painted white and pink.

Yields

The first crop is harvested in the 4th year after planting. At first, the tree grows 5-10 kilograms of apples. Yield increases with age. From one apple tree, with good care, the gardener collects up to 70 kilograms of fruit.

Apple tasting evaluation

Florin fruits are large, cylindrical, their weight reaches 110-130 grams. The skin is colored red, the flesh is light yellow. The taste of apples is sweet and sour, with a fruity aroma. The tasters gave the fruit a score of 4.4 out of 5.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Florina has good immunity. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, moniliosis, bacterial burn. Trees are rarely attacked by aphids.

Frost resistance, drought resistance

Resistance to frost is average. If a harsh winter is expected, the trees need shelter. The apple tree is moderately resistant to drought. In hot, dry weather, it must be watered.

Which regions are preferable to grow

Created in France, the hybrid soon became widespread throughout Europe. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region of Russia. It is also cultivated throughout Ukraine, in Moldova.

The nuances of fruiting a tree

Florina needs to be planted near pollinating varieties. Without them, the fruiting of the apple tree will be much worse.

Pollinator varieties

The following varieties of crops are recommended to be planted near Florina:

1. Idared.
2. Golden Delicious.
3. Liberty.
4. Gloucester.

Pollinating varieties contribute to the setting of a large number of fruits.

Flower time

Florina blooms in early spring and lasts 10-14 days. During this period, trees should not be sprayed with chemicals, as bees collecting nectar from flowers may die.

Ripening dates

Harvest begins at the end of September. If the fruits are intended for winter storage, they can be kept on the tree a little longer. Then they will pick up even more sugar and flavor.

Harvesting rules and storage duration

Apples are harvested after the stalk easily begins to move away from the branch. It must remain on fruits intended for long-term storage.

Harvest in warm, dry weather. Apples are picked first on the lower branches, then on the upper ones. If properly maintained, they can last until spring.

Important! The wax coating cannot be removed: it prevents the apples from getting pathogens.

Scope of fruits

Florina apples are primarily consumed fresh. The fruits contain a large amount of nutrients. They can also be baked, used to make confectionery, dried for the winter.

Features of planting and care

You need to buy seedlings in plant nurseries or in a garden center, from reliable sellers. You need to make sure that the trees do not show signs of disease. The grafting site must be smooth and clean.

Preparation of seedlings

Young trees are placed in a bucket of water for several hours. For better survival, you can add heteroauxin there according to the instructions on the package. The trunk is cut, leaving a length of no more than 90 centimeters. Too long root system is shortened.

Dates and schemes of disembarkation

Plant an apple tree in open ground in spring or autumn. The procedure is performed as follows:

• dig a hole with a depth and diameter of 0.8 meters;
• spread a 10-centimeter layer consisting of expanded clay, crushed stone, broken bricks;
• fill the pit with a substrate consisting of black soil, humus, peat, river sand;
• plant an apple tree in the middle, fill the free space with a substrate;
• plentifully watered.

If several trees are planted, the distance between them is left at least 3 meters.

Water frequency

In the early years Florina is watered frequently. It is preferable to use warm, settled water. With age, the apple tree needs 3-5 waterings per season. At least 7-8 buckets of water are spilled under each tree.

Feeding young and mature trees

Given that the planting of the apple tree was carried out in fertile land, they begin to feed it in the 4th year. In the spring, urea or ammonium nitrate is applied, which contributes to the development of shoots and the root system.

Pay attention! During the formation of ovaries and fruit growth, potash and phosphorus fertilizers are used. The same substances are introduced into the near-trunk circle after fruiting.

Crown formation

Apple shoots grow fast. At the same time, they begin to interfere with the development of each other; the fruits no longer get enough sunlight. Therefore, pruning is done in early spring. For good ventilation, uniform illumination of the shoots, the crown is formed in the form of a bowl.

Mulching

To preserve moisture in the ground, to prevent the appearance of a dry crust, the root circle is mulched. To do this, use the bark of trees, mowed grass, straw, sawdust. When rotting, the mulching material serves as an additional top dressing.

Seasonal prevention against infections and insects

To prevent the appearance of diseases and pests in early spring, the apple tree is sprayed with special preparations. The procedure can be repeated several times during the season.

Important! The last processing is done 20-30 days before the fruit ripens.

Subspecies and crop variants

Breeders have created various subspecies of Florina: from a tree 2-4 meters high to a small column.

Red

When grafted onto a vigorous rootstock, the apple tree reaches a height of 4 meters. The fruits are red in color, with tasty, fragrant pulp.

Columnar

Compact trees designed for planting in a small garden area. They are easy to shelter for the winter, so they are easy to cultivate in cooler regions.

Winter

Florin fruits are tasty and fragrant. With the right content, they last until spring, even until the beginning of summer.

Immune

An apple tree with good immunity grows a large number of fruits. At the same time, it requires less treatments for diseases and pests. The gardener in this case is able to grow organic fruits on his plot.

Florina is an apple variety with delicious red fruits. It's easy to grow. It is only necessary to carry out agrotechnical measures correctly. If kept in a cool, dry place, fruits can be stored until early summer.

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