Veteran apple tree: variety description and characteristics, planting, growing and care with photo

Veteran's apple tree belongs to the early-growing winter hybrids. Due to the high yield, the hybrid quickly spread throughout Russia.

History of selection of the early-growing variety Veteran

The winter apple variety Veteran was obtained by Russian breeders in 1961 with free pollination of the King variety.

Pros and cons

The advantages of the Veteran hybrid include:

precocity;
yield;
storage time after harvest;
versatility of use.

Among the disadvantages is the risk of scab if the weather is wet for a long time.

Description of the tree

Before buying a seedling, you should study all the characteristics of the plant.

Trunk height

Apple tree Veteran refers to medium-sized hybrids. The trunk of a tree on average grows about 3-4 m.

Crown diameter

The crown is medium thickened, not wide. Shaped like a regular ball.

Annual growth

Annual growth is average, the tree grows by about 5-7 cm per year.

Appearance and taste of fruits

Apples have a rich red-scarlet skin color. The pulp is juicy, greenish-white, tastes more sweet. The fruits are rounded. The skin is dense in structure, you can see a white wax coating.

The tasting score of the fruit is 4.4 points out of 5.

Growing conditions

Veteran apple tree is not a capricious variety and you don't have to make a lot of efforts to grow a seedling. It is enough to plant a tree correctly and pay attention to caring for an already adult plant.

Specifications

Another important point that summer residents must study before buying seedlings is technical specifications. The technical characteristics include yield, resistance to drought and frost, as well as immunity to diseases of fruit crops.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Veteran's apple tree is not very resistant to scab, especially if the humidity is high for a long time. The resistance of the tree to other diseases is high. Also on the apple tree you can find pests, especially aphids.Therefore, as a preventive measure for the appearance of insects, every autumn the leaves are removed from the site, and the soil around the trunks is dug up to a depth of 15-20 cm.

Freeze and drought tolerance

Hybrid Veteran refers to varieties that do not tolerate severe frosts. It is recommended to plant seedlings in regions with moderate winters. In the north, the plant may not take root due to harsh winters. The most favorable temperature in winter is from -20 to -25 degrees.

The plant tolerates drought more easily than frost. You can not water the apple tree for a long time in the heat. But if the drought lasts for a very long time, in addition to the main watering, it is recommended to carry out a number of additional ones.

Pollination and yield

The older the tree, the higher its yield. Apple trees up to 10 years old give 20-30 kg of fruit per season. Apple trees over 15 years old produce from 45 kg of fruits in one season. To increase the yield, fertilizing is regularly applied to the soil.

Next to the apple tree, to increase productivity, it will be necessary to plant pollinating varieties of winter or autumn ripening. The hybrid belongs to early-growing varieties, since fruiting begins in the 3-4th year after planting the seedling. The yield is kept at a high level every year.

Transportability and storage of fruits

One of the advantages of this variety is transportability. Fruits remain whole even during long transportation. To keep apples fresh for as long as possible, they are placed in a cool place with high humidity. Under the right conditions, apples will keep until spring.

Boarding rules

Planting a Veteran apple tree is no different from planting other varieties.

Preparation of seedlings

Before planting in a permanent place, an apple tree seedling is dipped in a growth activator.This measure will allow the tree to quickly take root in a new place. Immediately before planting, to protect the roots, the rhizome is dipped in a liquid clay solution for 30-40 seconds. And then immediately planted in the prepared hole.

Soil composition

Veteran's apple tree is undemanding to soil. Light fertile soils are best suited for the plant. For example, loamy or sandy loam. The seedling grows well on black soil. The acidity is neutral or slightly acidic. Veteran grows poorly on clay soil types.

Schemes and hole sizes

Holes for apple seedlings are prepared in advance, 2-3 weeks in advance. A hole is dug to a depth of 1 m and a width of 80 cm. The distance between the seedlings is left from 3 to 4 m. The higher and wider the neighboring trees, the more it is worth leaving the distance between the trees.

Disembarkation Technology

Dig a hole in 2-3 weeks and mix the top layer of soil with manure and wood ash. Afterwards, put it on the bottom. Fit Pattern:

Drive a strong stake into the center of the hole.
Place the seedling and carefully straighten the roots.
Dig with soil and tamp near the trunk.
Tie the apple tree to the stake so that the stem stays straight.

At the end of planting, pour plenty of warm water over the hole.

Seasonal basics

Without attention, any fruit tree will yield less than if it was regularly looked after. Apple tree care includes fertilization, watering and crown formation. Disease prevention is also important.

Irrigation

The apple tree does not need frequent watering. During the fruiting season, it is enough to water the tree four times so that it has enough moisture. Irrigation of the apple tree from spring to autumn:

The first time the plant is moistened in the spring, when bud formation begins.
The second time the apple tree is irrigated during flowering.
The third watering is carried out with the onset of the fruiting period.
The last time the soil near the apple tree is irrigated in autumn, after the harvest and the onset of cold weather.

If there is heat and drought outside for a long time, you can additionally water the plant.

Soil care and fertilization

Before each watering, it is advisable to weed the soil in advance and remove weeds. So the soil will also be saturated with oxygen.

With the onset of the growing season, nitrogen and organic fertilizers are introduced into the soil.

Nitrogen promotes leaf and bud growth. When buds begin to form on the tree, phosphorus and potassium are added to the soil.From organic matter, weed infusions, wood ash and bone meal are used. Before the onset of cold weather, the earth is mixed with manure or chicken manure.

Pruning and crown shaping

If the crown is not cut regularly, the apple tree will overgrow very quickly and will yield less. Form the crown of the apple tree in the second year. Branches are cut off on a tree, leaving only 3-4 skeletal ones. Then, every year, part of the young shoots and shoots are cut off. The formation of the crown is carried out in the spring. Sanitary pruning is carried out in autumn. In the process, dry, diseased or damaged branches are removed. The cut sites in both cases are disinfected.

Preventive treatment

As a preventive measure against insects and diseases, every spring the apple tree is treated with Bordeaux liquid or copper-containing preparations. Spraying is repeated after 2 weeks. If insects have already appeared on the tree, use soap solutions or chemicals.

Preparing the tree for winter

Before the onset of winter, the soil near the trunk is mulched, the mulch layer should not be less than 15 cm. The lower part of the trunk is tied with pine branches so that the bark is not gnawed by mice.