Apple tree Antonovka: description and characteristics of the variety, types, cultivation and care with photos

Antonovka apple tree is a good solution for any orchard. Fragrant fruits have been grown in Russia for almost 200 years. In the recent past, the variety was used in industrial horticulture, now it is relevant as a genetic material. Its varietal characteristics (frost resistance, taste, ripening period) are still relevant today.

History of variety breeding

According to the assumption, Antonov apples are not the result of scientific selection. The exact history of their origin is not known even to scientists. It is generally accepted that the variety is an accidental hybrid, which was obtained by crossing a wild apple tree with a cultivated form.

For the first time, an apple variety was presented to the scientific community by S. V. Batov at an exhibition in Novgorod (1896). In honor of Anton, an amateur gardener, in whose garden the apple tree was found, he named it Antonovka Tulskaya, another name is Antonovka Dukhovaya. The second name is given for the unique aroma of ripe apple fruits.

As an official variety, Antonovka was described by pomologist M. V. Rytov in his book “Russian Apples” published at the beginning of the 90th century. A detailed study of the varieties of Antonovka later (1929) was carried out by I. V. Michurin. His works contain descriptions of 26 varieties of Antonovka.

Growth areas

Fragrant apples are still loved by summer residents, despite the abundance of new hybrid forms and varieties. Regions and areas where different varieties of Antonovka can be found in gardens:

• Moscow;
• Penza;
• Tula;
• Bryansk;
• Kursk;
• Voronezh.

These varieties of apple trees are grown in Belarus, in Ukraine. Separate, especially frost-resistant varieties can be found in the gardens of Altai, Ural, Siberian summer residents, Antonovka is also grown in the climate of the Far East.

Descriptions and characteristics of the variety

The Antonovka brand combines more than 200 varieties of cultivated apple trees. All of them grow in different climatic zones. Varietal characteristics, lifespan of different types of Antonovka may differ, climate affects them. Trees are long-lived. The fruiting period can last up to 40 years. In the scientific literature there is a description of single specimens that have reached 200 years of age.

Tree height and crown width

As the apple tree matures, it reaches an impressive size. The main skeletal branches are powerful, diverge widely to the sides, forming a sprawling crown resembling a ball. Its diameter can reach up to 10 meters with a tree height of 6-8 m.

Despite the impressive size of the branches, they do not need props. They safely withstand the load in the most fruitful years. The bark on the shoots of the apple tree is brown, the color of the leaves is bright green. The shape of the leaf plate is oval, the surface is wrinkled, the edge is uneven. During the flowering period, the apple tree is strewn with large white and pink flowers.

Description of fruits

Antonovka fruits are rich in pectin (14%), sugars (9.2%), contain:

• ascorbic acid;
• P-active and tannins;
• one percent titratable acids.

The shape of the fruit is round, there may be a slight ribbing in the lower part. The flesh is creamy with a yellowish tint. It tastes sweet and sour, contains a sufficient amount of juice. Its aroma is rich and pleasant. The skin is green with a yellow tint, turning yellow during storage.

Apples fall into the category of large ones, their average weight is 120-150 g. Larger fruits weighing up to 300 g are rare. Ripened fruits can be stored for 3 to 4 months. More sweetness develops over time.

Pollination

All subspecies of Antonovka need pollinators. In the garden, it is necessary to have several fruit-bearing apple trees in order to have a crop of fragrant apples in the fall. Proven varieties that increase the yield of Antonovka:

• Pepin saffron;
• Welsey;
• Anise.

Ripening period

Antonovka varieties differ in terms of maturation. All of them are late, they are classified as winter forms, ripening for 110-120 days. Fruit picking starts after September 15-20.

Removable ripeness time Consumer ripeness time October 6 to March 5 October 11 to April 5 New

	Dessert	September 10-25	September 20 to October 6
	Common	September 21-30	October 1-10
	Gold

Harvest

The end of September is the period of harvesting ripening apples. It can last until mid-October. The yield grows as the tree matures. According to statistics, a he althy 20-year-old apple tree produces about 200 kg of fruit. Record yields have been recorded - from 500 to 1000 kg per tree.

In the first half of life, apple trees bear fruit annually, later fruiting becomes periodic, the first year the tree blooms and bears fruit, and rests in the second. The entire crop must be harvested before the first autumn frosts. They ripen and acquire a characteristic golden yellow color when stored.

Transportability and storage

The fruits of Antonovka, grown in the northern regions of the Russian Federation, are stored longer. The harvest of southern varieties retains consumer properties for less than a week for 2-3. In order to enjoy fragrant, tasty fruits for a longer time, apples are stored according to certain rules:

• do not shake the tree, remove the fruits from the branches with your hands, let the fallen apples for processing;
• for winter storage, harvest fruits 1-2 weeks before the onset of technical ripeness;
• treat storage containers with fungicide;
• apples shift carefully so as not to damage the skin;
• damaged fruits should be rejected and recycled;
• Pack fruits in layers;
• keep harvest at +2 °C.

In the room where Antonovka is stored, it is necessary to equip a ventilation system.

Frost resistance

Frosty winters are not terrible for Antonovka, summer residents of the North-West region grow apple trees without any problems. In terms of frost resistance, only Cinnamon striped, Anis and Grushovka Moskovskaya compete with it.

Mature trees have frost resistance, young seedlings can freeze slightly in winters with little snow, they also suffer from early autumn frosts. To protect the roots from freezing, the trunk circle is mulched, and the trunk is wrapped with newspapers, old burlap, and covered with spruce branches.

Resist to diseases and pests

A systematic approach to disease prevention and good agricultural practices minimize the likelihood of disease. Antonovka vulgaris is resistant to scab. The probability of powdery mildew on the leaves of Antonovka is medium.

Rules for planting a tree

Growing a productive tree takes years. Before the apple tree pleases with fruits, a lot of time passes. The he alth of the future apple tree is affected by the quality of planting, the right choice of location and subsequent care.

Optimal timing

Planting is carried out in the spring. They start planting after the soil warms up to 5-10 ° C. At this time, the buds on fruit trees swell, but do not bloom. In areas with warm winters, early autumn planting is allowed.

The time of planting is calculated so that the seedling has time to take root. On average, rooting takes up to 2-3 months.

Selecting and preparing a site

Overwetting negatively affects the root system of Antonovka. This is taken into account when choosing a place. The best solution is the southern or southeastern part of the garden, protected from the north wind and draft. Apple trees grow well on the southern slopes.

The site should be well lit by the sun, the presentation and taste of the fruit depends on the degree of illumination. The more sun, the juicier and tastier the apples. There are no special requirements for the soil, but the tree develops better and bears fruit on black soil and loam.

In autumn, the plot is being prepared for planting:

• dig;
• pick out weed roots;
• introduce organic matter - rotted manure 6 kg/m², peat 10 kg/m²;
• add mineral fertilizers (superphosphate 30g, potassium s alt 35g).

Preparing seedlings

Any seedling is inspected before planting. The roots are tested for freezing, for this a small incision is made. A yellow or brown cut is a sign of frost-damaged fabrics.

All roots affected by frost, rotten and dried out are cut out. Work is carried out with clean and sharp tools. Seedlings with a dried root system are soaked for 2 days in water. If after this time the plant does not have time to recover, then it is thrown away.

Process and scheme

When planting fruit trees in rows, rows are planned in increments of 5-6 m. In a row, the distance should be 3-4 meters. The numbers are not taken from the ceiling. The crown of an adult tree is wide (up to 8 m), this is taken into account, and holes are dug in increments of 3-4 m. A support stake up to 1.2 m long is installed in the prepared hole, a hill is formed in the center.

The tree is placed on it, the roots are spread over the surface of the hill.The pit is covered with fertile soil, rammed without much pressure so as not to disturb the root system. They make sure that the root neck is not covered with earth, it should rise 5-7 cm above the ground level. In the end, the seedling is well watered and tied to a peg.

The variety is picky, but requires care. The complex of seasonal care includes preparation for planting the soil, organizing watering and fertilizing.

Soil care

Care starts in autumn and early spring. They dig up the earth between the rows, loosen the trunk circle. Make a standard set of fertilizers: superphosphate, potassium nitrate, ash. In the spring - carbamide. The soil is watered abundantly after application.

Mulch the soil to retain moisture. Use any organic materials:

• peat;
• sawdust;
• humus;
• compost;
• manure.

Using manure gives a good effect. Moisture in the soil lingers, the plant receives nitrogen top dressing. The thickness of the mulch layer is 8 cm.

Fertilization

In order for the apple tree to tolerate winter frosts well and not get sick, top dressing is carried out three times. The first time dry mineral and organic fertilizers are applied in early spring during tillage.

Before flowering, trees are watered under the root with a solution of mineral fertilizers or mullein infusion. The rate of fertilizer is taken from the instructions, the mullein infusion is diluted with water 1:10. Any top dressing is combined with abundant watering, this helps prevent chemical burns of the roots.

Disease and pest control

In the northern regions, where summers are damp and cool, apple trees are prone to fruit and leaf scab. In areas where winters are warm, trees suffer from powdery mildew. Garden pests are dangerous in any climate, especially for young seedlings.

Prevention measures that reduce risks:

• collection and destruction of fallen leaves;
• autumn digging of tree trunks and row spacing;
• whitewashing of skeletal branches and bole;
• autumn crown treatment with copper sulphate;
• early spring pesticide treatment (Nitrafen, DNOK);
• 3-fold treatment against pest invasion by "Fufanon" during the growing season;
• in order to prevent scab, trees are sprayed with fungicides "Skor", "Horus", "Fitosporin".

To save the crop from scab, the Strobe tool is used. Processing carried out in the initial phase of the disease stops the development of the disease. Prevention and treatment of powdery mildew is carried out in the same way as scab.

From pests, the codling moth threatens the crop, its larvae (caterpillars) eat away apples. Other harmful insects, scale insects, aphids, apple flower beetles, are rare guests on Antonovka. To protect against them, traditional preventive measures are used.

Pruning and crown shaping

The crown of the apple tree is started when the tree reaches 2 years of age. From this year and then every year at Antonovka, damaged and weak branches are pruned. If desired, formative pruning of a 2-year-old seedling is carried out:

• cut the crown of the central shoot;
• skeletal branches are shortened by a third of the entire length.

As the crown grows and fills, the side shoots of the apple tree are periodically shortened. A third or half of all perennial annelids are cut from twenty-year-old trees.

Protection from the cold and rodents

The trunks of young seedlings protect against pests in the first years - they cover with a solution of chalk, adult trees (trunk, branches) can be whitewashed with lime. From rodents and low temperatures, the trunk is wrapped with old burlap, mesh or spruce (pine) spruce branches.

Mulch is poured over the entire area of the near-trunk circle of apple trees so that the roots do not freeze in winter. Use what is available:

• compost;
• humus;
• rotten sawdust;
• peat.

A layer of mulch to fully protect the roots of Antonovka from freezing should be at least 10 cm.

Features of the period of flowering and fruiting

Ovary appear when cross-pollinated. You can be left without an apple harvest if there are no other pollinating apple trees in the garden.

Ripening dates and how to determine the ripeness of apples

Apple trees of different varieties of Antonovka mostly ripen late. They begin to collect before the onset of technical ripeness. On average, the collection time for popular autumn-winter varieties of Antonovka falls on the autumn months (September, October).

In August, only the summer forms of Antonovka ripen, which are distinguished by a less intense taste and a short shelf life. Summer residents in the Moscow region harvest apples in the last days of October, the same varieties in Ukraine and the Krasnodar Territory ripen in the last decade of August and early September.

Ripe apples are determined by the color of the seeds. If they are white, then the fruit is not ripe, if brown, then it is ripe. Apples for storage are recommended to be removed unripe, they reach while lying down. The skin changes color during storage, the taste of the pulp becomes more saturated.

Existing species

The data collected by scientists indicate the presence of a large number of subspecies of apple trees. The main characteristics of the old and relatively new forms of Antonovka have few differences. The most common varieties are shown in the table.

Antonovka Onion Antonovka Steppe Antonovka Belaya Antonovka Sweet Antonovka Autumn Lying, large fruits

Long-term storage of fruits
Growed in regions where the summer is dry
Occurs in Belarus
Extremely little storage

Common

The fruit is rounded with ribbing. During the harvesting period, the color of apples is green, yellow tint is present in a weak form. The skin of Antonovka turns yellow during storage. Pulp of sweet and sour taste, light yellow, granular structure. Apple fruits are fragrant and sweet, the sugar content in the pulp exceeds 9%.

Dignity of Antonovka ordinary:

• winter hardiness;
• quality raw materials for all kinds of blanks;
• seedlings are used as rootstock;
• fruits tolerate long-term transportation well;
• collapse is low.

Disadvantages of the apple tree: medium (weak) resistance to scab pathogens, irregular fruiting.

Dessert

The work of S. I. Isaev, he used genetic material: Pepin Shafranny, Antonovka vulgaris. Winter hybrid. The growth strength of the tree is average, the crown acquires a rounded shape with age, in the first years it is spherical.

Green with a yellow tint, the leaves have notches along the edge. The flowers are white-pink, large. Fruit Description:

• weight 200 g;
• taste with slight sourness;
• light green skin, creamy shimmer;
• red-striped blush;
• flavored pulp.

The level of agrotechnical background affects the yield. On average, the yield from one tree is 40-120 kg. Fruiting earlier, begins at 3 years. Fruits can be stored up to 6 months. The resistance of the apple tree to frost is average. Regions recommended for growing Antonovka Dessert:

• South of RF;
• Central band;
• Ukraine;
• Belarus.

In areas where winters are severe, only frost-resistant stock is used. In the gardens of the Urals, the hybrid is grown in slate form.

Gold

Antonovka ripens in the last ten days of August; according to the ripening period, it belongs to the group of late summer varieties. The fruits are not soft. Unlike other varieties, the taste does not become more saturated during storage. The average weight of the fruit lies in the range from 150 to 180 g. The peel on apples is straw-yellow. It begins fruiting 5 years after planting. The advantage of Antonovka Zolotoy is the resistance of the variety to the scab pathogen.

Antonovka Novaya

Selected by S. F. Chernenko, the variety was created for cultivation in the Central regions of the Russian Federation and the gardens of the Chernozem region. Antonovka ordinary and wonderful apple tree of Babushkino folk selection were taken as genetic material. The maximum productivity of Antonovka Novaya was fixed at the level of 445 kg, the usual yields of an apple tree fluctuate within 200 kg.

The plant is tall, its height is from 5 to 6 meters. The crown of Antonovka is wide, up to 8 m, sprawling, not prone to thickening, has a rounded shape. Fruit characteristics:

• weight up to 120 g, individual pieces up to 200 g;
• light yellow skin;
• blush blurred, red;
• pulp structure is dense, color is white, juiciness is present;
• taste is classic sweet and sour, there are spicy notes;
• moderate aroma;
• onion shape, correct, there is a slight ribbing.

The beginning of the fruiting of the apple tree falls on the 4th or 5th year of life. The collection time of Antonovka is from late September to mid-October. Consumer ripeness occurs in November-December, fruits are stored until February.Advantages of Antonovka Novaya: winter hardiness, productivity. Drawback - susceptibility to scab.

Gardeners growing Antonovka give a positive assessment of the adaptive abilities of the apple tree. The productivity of trees depends on the climate and the quality of summer and autumn care. The harvest is stored for a long time and serves as an excellent raw material for jams, preserves, liqueurs, tinctures, and the recipe for pickled apples was invented specifically for Antonovka.

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