Apple Delight: description and characteristics of the variety, subspecies and cultivation

Gardeners planning to fill the garden with compact, abundantly fruiting trees are advised to pay attention to the Delight apple tree. The variety has become famous due to many qualities that are best studied in advance. It is also better to learn about care before landing, this will facilitate some processes and prevent annoying mistakes.

Pros and cons

The Delight apple tree has many advantages that are noted by experienced gardeners. Among them:

• the tree enters the fruiting phase shortly after planting;
• variety easily tolerates frost;
• the plant is resistant to low temperatures.

It's hard to talk about the cons, the only thing that can disturb is too active growth of the crown, which will require regular pruning.

The history of the variety Delight

Uslada owes its appearance to one of Michurin's students, an employee of Moscow State University Isaev, who crossed cultivars and wild apple trees. Almost in 2000, the variety was allowed to grow in different regions of Russia. Delight successfully grows in private gardens and large industrial farms.

Pros and cons

The advantages of the Delight apple tree are usually attributed to the excellent taste of the fruit. Another advantage over other varieties is resistance to diseases of fruit crops.

Among the shortcomings, some gardeners note the uneven ripening of apples. Due to thickening, the fruiting season can stretch.

Description

It is better to study the description of the Delight apple tree in advance in order to prepare the most convenient place for the tree, to avoid mistakes in care.

Trunk height and crown width

Apple Delight belongs to medium-sized varieties. The height of the trunk rarely exceeds 4 m, which greatly facilitates the collection of fruits. Crown width - up to 5 m.

Annual growth

Apple shoots grow too actively and can grow up to 25 cm in a year. That is why regular pruning is recommended to keep the crown compact.

Root system

The root system is also actively growing. In an adult tree, shoots can reach 3-5 m. This must be taken into account when planting other plants near or when loosening the soil.

Characteristic yield

In the apple tree The delight of gardeners is attracted not only by the compactness of the trees, but also by the yield. The taste of the fruit is also not in the last place of the merits of the variety.

Appearance and taste of apples

Delight apples have a characteristic raspberry shade of fruit. The pulp is juicy, white with a characteristic pink note. The taste is sweet and sour, there is a pronounced apple flavor.

Crop quantity

Adult tree gives up to 70-80 kg of fruit. Apples have strong thick stems, which prevents the ripe fruit from shedding.

Collecting and using fruits

The first fruits ripen in mid-August. Fruiting is long - thanks to the dense crown, apples ripen until mid-September.

The use of apples Delight is universal. The fruits are used to prepare culinary masterpieces, canned, consumed fresh.

Specifications

Often, many gardeners give preference not to the taste of the fruit, but to the technical characteristics.

It is better to study the features of trees in advance, this will greatly facilitate the care.

Frost resistance

Delight is resistant to low temperatures and feels great even in harsh conditions. In warm regions, the apple tree will do without winter shelter, in cold regions it is better to protect the tree.

Immunity to infections and diseases

A distinctive feature of the variety is resistance to diseases. Scab, rot rarely affect Delight, but experienced gardeners warn - it's better not to risk the plant and carry out preventive treatment in a timely manner.

Requirements for soil and climatic conditions

Delight feels great on light loam. If the soil is poor and heavy, it is better to prepare a nutrient mixture. When planting, add compost, humus to the soil. A small amount of sand and clay will be useful.

Apple tree is recommended for cultivation even in difficult climatic conditions. Frost and heat are not an obstacle to abundant fruiting.

Planting seedlings

Mistakes made when planting a young tree can lead to poor development or even death of the plant. In order not to destroy the apple tree, it is recommended that you carefully study the planting requirements.

Timing

It is recommended to plant young plants in early autumn, this time is enough for the seedling to adapt to a new place. If you have to plant in the spring, do not be late with the process - planting should be done before the juice begins to move.

Scheme and dimensions of the hole

Plant Delight no closer than 4 m to other fruit crops. Leave 3 m between rows. Hole diameter - at least half a meter. Depth - 55-70 cm. Be sure to put drainage.

Optimal drop off location

Delight is afraid of drafts and gusts of wind, so it is better to plant an apple tree in a cozy corner of the garden or near courtyard buildings. Take care that large varieties of fruit crops do not shade the plant.

Care for a young tree after planting

After planting, put a layer of mulch to protect against cold and heat. Be sure to water the plant abundantly - at least a bucket per seedling. In the hot summer, moisten the soil, carry out loosening.

Agricultural technology behind an adult tree

Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology will allow you to get a lush tree with abundant fruiting. Delight care consists of timely watering, fertilizing, pruning.

Care Tips

There are many tips that will make it easy to cope with the care of the apple tree and get a harvest in a short time.

Irrigation

Watering should be carried out in a dry season - apply 10-20 liters of water under each tree. Be sure to stand the liquid under the sun.

Feeding

Use complex compounds for fertilizers. You can replace chemicals with organic matter - mullein infusion or humus.

Loosening the soil

Regularly loosen the soil. Be sure to remove weeds that take nutrients from the soil.

Seasonal processing

During the season, irrigate apple trees from pests and diseases. Use preparations based on copper sulphate, folk remedies.

Cutting

In the first year of life, the main trunk is shortened. In the following years, shoots, dry or broken branches are pruned.

Mulching

For mulching use peat, compost. Mulch layer - at least 5 cm. If a nutrient layer is used, it is better not to use fertilizers, thanks to melt water, the plant will get everything it needs.

Subspecies and variants

There are several subspecies of Delight that you need to learn more about. Knowledge will allow you to care for the variety without the hassle.

Columnar

When planting, the formation of the root system will be required. The columnar subspecies will have to be trimmed regularly. Used in industrial production or in small gardens.

On a dwarf rootstock

Use if you need to speed up fruiting or get a plant that is resistant to freezing, harsh climate. Pleasure is not afraid of the cold, feels great in the northern regions.

On clone rootstock

The main advantage of the apple tree is that all maternal signs are completely adopted. Cultivated to maintain genetic quality.

Growing an apple tree Delight will certainly bring pleasure even to inexperienced gardeners, because there will be no difficulties in care. A tree with strict observance of all the rules of agricultural technology will certainly thank you with fruiting already in the third year after planting.

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