Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: description and characteristics of the variety, stages of planting and care

Winter varieties of apples are valued higher than summer varieties due to the long shelf life of the fruit. One of these hybrids is the Zhigulevskoye apple variety. Zhigulevskoe is distinguished by a number of advantages that attract gardeners to planting this particular variety. The tree is unpretentious in care and is characterized by abundant fruiting from August to the last days of September.

Description and characteristics of the apple tree Zhigulevskoe

First of all, when choosing a variety, pay attention to such tree characteristics as:

• tree height and crown width;
• fruit palatability;
• root system;
• winter hardiness;
• fruiting period;
• yield.

All these indicators must be carefully studied before purchasing a Zhigulevskoye apple tree seedling.

Tree height

Apple-tree Zhigulevskoe refers to medium-sized trees. The main trunk reaches a height of 3 m. In order to regulate the height of the tree, it is pruned every year.

Krone width of variety

The crown of the apple tree is rounded, slightly thickened. The branches are sparse and grow upwards. The crown is translucent to the trunk. Trees with a light canopy canopy require less time to care, because even the smallest branches receive sunlight due to low canopy.

Tasting evaluation

Apples of this variety are distinguished by high taste qualities of fruits. Due to their high liquid content, the fruits are suitable for dietary nutrition.

The pulp is coarse-grained, juicy and sweet with a pleasant sourness. The peel is dense, rich red in color with green spots. The flesh is creamy.

Self-fertility

The Zhigulevskoe apple tree belongs to self-fertile varieties, so additional pollination is required for the appearance of ovaries. Other varieties of apple trees are planted in the garden next to the tree. Top pollinating varieties include:

• Anise Grey.
• Hybrid Spartacus.
• Antonovka.

Pollination will be successful if the distance between the trees is not more than 5 m.

Root system

The rhizome of the Zhigulevskoe hybrid is well developed, but does not tolerate excess moisture. Because of this, seedlings are not recommended to be cultivated near the accumulation of water in the spring.

Winter hardiness

Resistance to winter frosts in the Zhigulevskoe variety is average. The tree does not tolerate constant temperature fluctuations and severe frosts in winter.

Beginning of fruiting

After planting a seedling in a permanent place, the apple tree begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year after planting. The beginning of fruiting depends on some reasons, which include:

• a kind of rootstock;
• caring for an apple tree;
• climatic conditions.

The faster the apple tree begins to bear fruit, the shorter the fruiting.

Yields

The Zhigulevskoe apple tree is highly productive. Up to 250 kg of fruits are harvested from one adult tree. Fruiting at a high level occurs annually. Old apple trees have breaks, but not more than one year.

Rules for choosing seedlings when buying

First of all, attention is paid to the root system. Roots should not be damaged and dry. In addition, the roots should not be exposed. Seedlings are sold either in soil or in special bags. The seedling must be grafted, and the stem must not be damaged.

How to plant a tree

Planting an apple tree seedling consists of several successive stages, which take a lot of time. After all, the future yield and he alth of the apple tree depends on how correct the planting will be.

Time to board

Apple trees are planted in spring and autumn. In the spring, seedlings will have time to take root before the onset of cold weather. Planting dates depend on the region of cultivation. An apple tree is planted from the last days of April to the first days of May.In autumn, apple trees are planted in early October. The advantage of autumn planting is that the apple tree gets used to a new place during the winter and begins to grow actively in the spring.

Choosing a seat

Zhigulevskoye apple tree prefers to grow in open sunny areas or in places with a slight dimming. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in the shade. In the shade, they do not grow well, and yields are reduced.

Preparing the seedling

One day before planting the tree in the ground, the rhizome is soaked in the Kornevin preparation, diluted with water. Other growth stimulants for crops are also used. Before planting, the roots are dipped in clay diluted with water and then planted. It is important to remember that the rhizome should not dry out. Therefore, the roots are regularly moistened with warm water.

Boarding process

Steps of planting seedlings:

• Dig a hole in the ground a month before planting an apple tree. Depth not less than 80 cm, width - not less than 1 m.
• Drainage is laid out at the bottom of the dug hole.
• Then a tall, strong stake is driven into the center of the hole.
• The topsoil is mixed with 4 kg of manure, 1 kg of wood ash and 1 kg of NPK.
• Part of the resulting fertilizer is poured into the bottom of the pit, the second part is left.
• The apple tree is placed in a hole and the roots are carefully straightened, then sprinkled with soil.
• After the rhizome is covered with soil, pour out the second part of the fertilizer and fill the hole with soil.
• The soil near the trunk is compacted, and the seedling is tied to a stake.

If several plants are planted nearby, the distance between them is left at least 2.5 m.

Tree care

Many gardeners neglect tree care. Many summer residents are limited to simply watering trees sometimes. But besides this, it is important to regularly fertilize the soil, loosen the soil and trim the crown. All these measures will increase the yield, as well as the resistance of the apple tree to diseases and insects.

Feeding rules

In the spring they make the first top dressing. Organic matter is added, as well as mineral supplements. At a minimum, fertilizers are applied to the soil 2-4 times. But if the apple trees do not grow well, then the amount of fertilizer applied, as well as the frequency, is increased.

Spring

With the onset of spring, fertilizers are applied that are rich in nitrogen. Nitrogen has a positive effect on the growth of kidneys and the formation of ovaries. The following fertilizers are suitable:

• ammonium nitrate;
• humus;
• nitroammophoska;
• urea.

The soil is loosened and mixed together with fertilizer, then watered.

Flowering

During flowering, chicken manure, superphosphate, mullein or potassium sulfate are added to the soil. Any top dressing is diluted with warm water and then the trees are watered. In autumn, the soil is fertilized with wood ash and peat or manure mixed with the soil. A few weeks before the onset of cold weather, nitrogen-containing dressings should not be applied, since nitrogen activates growth, and in the fall, top dressing should be aimed at preparing the apple tree for the cold weather.

Pour fruit

It is also important to fertilize during fruiting. The following solutions are introduced into the soil:

• Pour 10 buckets of warm water into a barrel and add 15 g of sodium humate and 550 g of nitrophoska. Then mix the fertilizer thoroughly so that they dissolve in water. 2-3 buckets of fertilizer are poured onto one tree.
• Fill the barrel with warm water, then lay out the green grass. Cover the barrel with cling film and make a small hole in it. After 30 days, the fertilizer is ready, and apple trees are watered with it.

Thanks to top dressing, apples grow large and sweet.

Irrigation features

Apple trees do not need much water, except for young seedlings. Seedlings are watered several times a week. Mature trees are watered 4 times per season. First time since the snow melted. The second time - during the formation of kidneys. Then during fruiting. And the last time - before the onset of cold weather.

Crown formation

In the spring, formative pruning is carried out and young branches are cut. Due to the weak thickening, the apple tree does not need serious pruning. In autumn, dry, broken branches are pruned. For pruning, use only sharp scissors or garden pruners.After trimming, the cuts must be disinfected.

Tree processing

For scab and other fungal diseases, trees are treated with the He althy Garden preparation. With the onset of autumn, the trunks from mice are treated with diesel fuel and wrapped around the trunk with a cloth soaked in diesel fuel. In spring, trunks and branches are whitewashed with lime mortar or special garden paint.

Harvest and storage of crops

Harvest immediately after the red apples have begun to appear. It is not worth waiting for the moment until the fruits begin to fall, so as not to collect wormy apples. Store the crop in a cool room where bright sunlight does not penetrate, at a temperature of no more than +15 degrees. The harvested crop is stored until autumn. But apples do not lie for a long time, so it is recommended to use them as soon as possible.

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