Apple Welsey: variety description and yield, cultivation features and care

Apple variety Welsey comes from America. In Russia, the plant became widespread at the end of the 19th century. The apple tree is resistant to diseases and cold weather conditions, therefore it is widely used for breeding purposes. The fruits are well preserved for a long time fresh and used for processing. Based on the Welsey variety, more than 40 varieties of apple trees have been bred, which have received good reviews and recommendations.

Description and general characteristics of the Welsey apple variety

Due to winter hardiness, the variety is suitable for widespread cultivation. With a favorable climate, Wales produces a good, stable harvest.

Tree height

Trees grow medium-sized, low. On a dwarf rootstock, growth is not more than 4 meters. A variety grown on a vigorous rootstock reaches a height of 5.5 meters.

Crown width

Young trees under the age of 6 years have a wide pyramidal crown. An adult plant gradually acquires a rounded, oval shape. The main limbs come off the trunk at an acute angle, which is a common cause of branches breaking off under the weight of the crop.

Yields

Depending on the region of growth, the crop ripens:

• in September, early October;
• at the beginning of winter.

High yield. One tree produces up to 200 kg of high quality fruits. Yields gradually increase with the age of the plant. When a large number of fruits are set and ripened, apples become small.

In favorable climatic zones gives a stable, good harvest. Fruits in a year.

The peculiarity of the variety is the poor attachment of apples to the branches. It is necessary to monitor the technical maturity of the fruits and collect them immediately after ripening. Otherwise, the crop will fall off, which will negatively affect further storage.

Self-fertility

The plant belongs to self-fertile varieties. It is recommended to plant apple trees nearby:

• Borovinka;
• Mekintosh;
• Delicacy;
• Antonovka.

Tasting evaluation

Apples have a sweet and sour taste and a delicate aroma. They have good taste characteristics. On a five-point scale, the fruits are assigned 3.9 points.

Winter hardiness

Most common variety in:

• Belarus;
• European part of Russia;
• B altic.

Possesses average winter hardiness. It withstands -20 … -25 ° С well. At lower temperatures, damage to the shoots is possible. Therefore, in regions with severe winters, the plant requires shelter. To do this, the trunk is tied with burlap or reeds.

Disease resistance

May be affected:

• fruit rot;
• cytosporosis;
• powdery mildew.

Possesses resistance to the main disease of apple trees - scab.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Positive qualities include:

• high yield;
• scab resistant;
• high palatability of the crop;
• precocity;
• good fruit transportability;
• the crop retains its presentation for a long time, subject to the temperature regime, it is stored until February.

Cons:

• with a plentiful harvest, apples shrink;
• fruits fall off during ripening;
• weather conditions affect taste.

Insufficient resistance to severe frosts for growing in northern latitudes, forcing gardeners to cover the plant for the winter.

Fit features

Planting and caring for the Welsey variety is practically no different from other apple trees. But before planting seedlings, you should carefully study the recommendations so that the plant adapts faster and takes root in a new place.

Timing

Seedlings take root equally well both in autumn and spring. The main condition is compliance with all recommendations when landing.

Location

When choosing a site for planting seedlings, follow these recommendations:

1. The place is chosen illuminated and sublime. During spring flooding, water should not accumulate around the plant, otherwise the root system will get wet, which will lead to the death of the tree.
2. The variety does not like constantly wet soil.
3. Ground water must be more than 4 meters deep.
4. Cannot be planted in places with strong cold winds.
5. The plant does not like constant sun.

When groundwater is high, it is recommended to purchase seedlings on a short rootstock. In such plants, the roots lie shallow, which allows the tree to take root well and develop in unfavorable soils.

Ground

Apple trees are planted in pre-prepared and fertilized holes. When planting in the spring, the pits are recommended to be prepared in the fall. Best Soils:

• loamy-sandy;
• loam.

The soil needs to be loose, with good water permeability.

Plant pattern

A hole for a tree is dug about 60 centimeters wide and a meter deep. It is recommended to mix the turf layer with superphosphate and ash. When planting, a peg is placed in the hole, to which the seedling is attached with a soft thread.

Rules of care

The main conditions for plant care in the first year are loosening, watering, fertilizing. Throughout the life of a tree, for abundant fruiting, it is necessary to perform mandatory activities.

Irrigation

In the first year, watering is carried out every week.It is recommended to water from above so that the branches are washed. Then the earth is loosened. The procedure is carried out carefully so that the root system is not damaged. A mature tree is watered only during a prolonged drought. In summer, with periodic rains, the plant does not need additional soil moisture.

Mulching

The variety does not get along well with weeds. Therefore, for proper development and good fruiting, the ground around the plant is constantly weeded. Mulching will help simplify this process. Used as:

• dry grass;
• straw;
• pebbles;
• bark;
• compost;
• gravel;
• sand;
• nonwovens.

During the summer, she:

• slows down weed growth;
• does not allow moisture to evaporate, which helps the tree to endure intense heat more easily;
• allows the topsoil to remain loose;
• does not allow the soil to overheat, while maintaining the optimum temperature for the development and growth of the apple tree.

Mulching in the autumn helps protect the soil from washing out, weathering and freezing.

Cutting

Regular pruning improves crown light and strengthens the trunk to help with a bountiful harvest. Shoots are cut partially when forming the crown and completely when thinning.

To awaken strong buds, anti-aging pruning is necessary, which is carried out in the spring.

In the summer, new branches will grow on the plant, intended for fruiting. With full pruning, stumps should not be left.Branches lowered to the ground under the weight of fruits are recommended to be cut. A tree that is pruned regularly produces a bountiful harvest and is protected from diseases and pests.

Feeding

In order for the tree to grow and develop well, fertilize regularly. For this purpose, manure, previously diluted with water (1:10), is ideal. They also use chicken manure, diluted in a ratio of 1:15, and wood ash.

Wintering

For the winter period, it is recommended to protect the variety from frost. Cover the lower branches and trunk with materials from rodents. Suitable for these purposes:

• spruce branches;
• reed;
• pine branches;
• only.

The branches are formed in bunches and tied from top to bottom around the trunk. To protect the root system from freezing, fallen leaves are laid out in a thick layer around the tree.

Diseases and pests: main types and solutions to the problem

Main pests:

• apple codling moth;
• hawthorn.

To protect against insects in autumn, all the leaves around the trunk are removed, and the ground is regularly loosened and weeded. Insecticides are also used. When affected by cytosporosis or powdery mildew, the affected branches are cut and burned. The tree is treated with special preparations. The affected areas of the trunk are cleaned with a knife, treated with iron sulfate and covered with oil paint.

For prevention, they are treated with Hom:

• until the buds swell;
• before flowering;
• after flowering.

When plants are damaged by powdery mildew, they are treated:

• copper chloride;
• soda ash mixed with potassium permanganate and soap;
• colloidal sulfur;
• Topaz.

Bordeaux liquid - high-quality prevention of powdery mildew.

Subspecies variety

Welsey - maternal variety for apple trees:

• Bezhin Meadow;
• Prima;
• Aelita.

There are subspecies of the variety grown in column form and creeping. For seedlings, semi-dwarf and dwarf rootstocks are used.

Features of cultivation in different regions

There is no particular difference between the cultivation of the variety in different regions. The only thing that experts pay attention to is the shelter of young trees in areas with severe winters.This procedure helps to avoid damage to the shoots. It is also recommended to pay attention to the composition of the soil. For a plentiful harvest, the necessary top dressing is regularly introduced.

Harvesting

The fruits ripen together. If you are late with the collection of apples, then gardeners will suffer significant crop losses. Since fruits that have reached technical maturity fall off quickly, which significantly impairs their appearance, storage and transportability.

The first harvest is carried out in the first decade of September, the second - in early October. In regions with cold summers, dates are pushed back by a few weeks.

Crop storage

Use plastic boxes or cardboard boxes for storage. The fruits are left strong, without damage. Each layer of apples is shifted with dry sawdust or paper. Stored in a basement with a temperature of 0 ° … +1 ° С.

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