Apple tree Grushovka Moscow: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation and care

The Moskovskaya Grushovka apple tree is considered one of the oldest varieties of apple trees. The first mention of the variety dates back to the 17th century. Apple trees were grown mainly in the southern and middle parts of the Urals and the Siberian regions. But even now Moscow Grushovka is grown everywhere in Russia. The variety is unpretentious and productive.

Description and characteristics of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree

Each gardener, before purchasing any variety of fruit trees for his site, should study all the characteristics. This will allow you not to be disappointed in your choice in the future and enjoy the yield and taste of fruits.

Subtypes

There are several subtypes of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree. The tree is early ripe and winter. Early ripe fruits begin to ripen at the end of July. And winter varieties ripen closer to autumn, but the crop is stored until winter.

Early

The early variety of Moscow Grushovka is considered one of the most successful. It was created by crossing Moscow Grushovka and Papirovka (the second grade is also called White filling). Early hybrid apples are twice the size of the parent variety.

The yield from one adult tree is from 120 to 160 kg. It is frost-resistant and resistant to scab, powdery mildew and fruit rot. The downside of the hybrid is that apples ripen gradually, so only summer residents prefer to grow it.

Winter

Winter variety was obtained by crossing Moscow Grushovka and French Kronsel. Just like the early hybrid, the winter one has larger fruits compared to the parent variety. The yield is high, up to 200 kg of fruits are harvested from one adult tree.

The disadvantages of the hybrid are low resistance to frost and weak immunity. A tree without care often suffers from rot and other diseases of fruit trees.

Tree height and crown width

Apple trees are up to 7m tall, so the tree needs to be pruned every year.Shaping the crown will make harvesting easier and keep the apple tree from growing too tall. Young trees are shaped like a cone. After a few years, due to the growth of the crown, the tree grows in width, and gradually acquires a spherical shape.

Beginning of fruiting

After planting a seedling in a permanent place, the apple tree begins to bear fruit in 4-5 years. If the tree is vigorous, then fruiting occurs a few years later, in the 6-7th year after planting.

Shape and weight of apples and their color

The shape of fruits in apples is round, turnip-shaped. The fruits are small in size, the maximum weight is up to 130 g. The peel is light yellow in color with a red blush. The flesh is white-yellow, aromatic. The stalk is located deep inside the funnel.

Taste, aroma and tasting score

The taste of the fruit is pleasant, the flesh is juicy and sweet, with a slight taste of sourness. Pulp without a pronounced apple aroma, with time the aroma intensifies a little, but not significantly. The tasting score is 4.3 points out of 5. Apples are suitable for fresh consumption and for making compotes, jams and purees.

Ripening term

Apple Moscow Grushovka belongs to the early varieties, and the first fruits ripen in the first decade of August. Some hybrids that are winter ripen in early September.

Winter hardiness

One of the advantages of the variety is its frost resistance. Apple trees can withstand temperatures down to -50 degrees. This quality allows you to grow an apple tree even in the harsh Siberia.

Disease resistance

Most often the tree suffers from fungal diseases. These include scab and moniliosis. To prevent the appearance of fungi on the apple tree several times a season, it is treated with fungicides.

Pollinator varieties

Moskovskaya Grushovka belongs to self-infertile varieties, so pollinating varieties are planted nearby to increase yields. These include:

Chinese;
Candy;
White filling;
Antonovka;
Anise Striped.

If you plant only Moscow Grushovka in the garden without neighboring apple trees, few inflorescences and ovaries will form. Which in turn will affect the yield.

Pros and cons

The advantages of the Moskovskaya Grushovka variety include:

Frost resistance.
Yield.
Unpretentious care.
Fruit flavor.
Fruiting.
Early ripening apples.

Among the disadvantages are:

Weak immunity to fungal diseases.
The height of the tree.
A small mass of apples.
Fruits are not fragrant.

Despite the fact that the variety has a lot of shortcomings, now you can find hybrids based on Moscow, where all the disadvantages of the variety are corrected.

Features of reproduction

Since the Moskovskaya Grushovka variety is self-fertile, other varieties of apple trees are planted no more than 60 cm next to the tree. Neighborhood with other hybrids will increase reproduction and the appearance of ovaries, since the bees will be able to carry pollen from tree to tree.

How to plant a seedling

When planting seedlings, pay attention to the composition of the soil, the location and occurrence of groundwater near the chosen place.

Place to land

Apple tree prefers to grow in open sunny areas. Tolerates partial shade. The main thing is not to plant seedlings in places where they will be in the shade all day.

Soil Requirements

Apple trees are planted on loamy or sandy soils. Black earth is also suitable. Loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity should be preferred.

How to choose the right seedling

Seedlings must be he althy, with no signs of damage. The bark is dense. Branches are not broken. The root system is powerful, and the roots themselves are elastic.

When to plant a variety

In spring, an apple tree is planted from mid-April to May. In different regions, the spring planting dates for seedlings vary. In the south, landing is carried out a little earlier than in the north. In autumn, seedlings are planted before the onset of cold weather, in late August - early September. During this time, the seedlings should have time to take root.

Boarding process

Seedling planting process:

Dig a hole 1 m deep.
Pour mineral fertilizers, manure and wood ash into the bottom.
Leave the hole like this for 2-3 weeks.
After 2-3 weeks, the seedling is planted in a prepared hole.
Place the seedling and carefully straighten the roots.
Fill with soil and tamp near the trunk.
Drive a peg next to it and tie the trunk to it.
Then pour plenty of warm water.

At first, the seedling is watered frequently.

Apple tree care

Care for an apple tree includes organizing watering, fertilizing, weeding the soil around the trunk and forming a crown. It is also important to pay attention to the prevention of diseases and insects.

How to water

With the onset of spring and until August, young seedlings are watered 3 times a week. In August, watering is stopped. Mature trees are watered several times a month. If the summer turned out to be hot, then the amount of watering should be increased. The soil should not be allowed to dry out too much.

Soil care

Several times a week before watering the soil is weeded and weeds near the tree are removed.

Apple tree nutrition

Feed 4 times per season:

The first time fertilizer is applied in April. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used as fertilizers.
The second time top dressing is applied during the flowering period. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are also added, in addition, wood ash and manure are suitable.
The third feeding is carried out at the time of the formation of the ovaries. Potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil. Organic top dressings are also introduced.
The last top dressing prepares the tree for winter. During this period, nitrogen should not be added. Manure, compost and wood ash are added to the soil.

Depending on the appearance of the tree, it can be fed more often.

Pruning variety

Every year in the spring, all dry and diseased branches are cut off from the apple tree. Young branches are also pruned, leaving a few skeletal branches.

Preparing for winter

Since the variety is winter-hardy, preparation for the winter of the apple tree is not required. In autumn, they only dig up the soil around the plant.

Diseases and pests

With the onset of spring, the apple tree is sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. It is also important to remove weeds regularly to prevent fungus and insects.

Harvest and storage of crops

Apples are harvested in August. It is better to collect the fruits immediately, before they have time to fall to the ground. The harvested crop is stored in a cool room at temperatures up to +15 degrees. Subject to storage conditions, apples will lie until late autumn.