Ranetki apples: description of varieties, how they look and when they ripen with a photo

In many summer cottages and household plots, varieties of small-fruited apple trees - ranetok grow. This variety type is used as a preparation for jam for the winter, and is also used fresh, despite the small size of the fruit. Ranetki were bred by breeders by crossing the Sibirka variety with common European varieties.

Benefits and species descriptions

The main characteristic feature of ranetki is the small weight of fruits, not exceeding 15 g. Small fruits fully ripen in early September and have a pronounced sour taste. Ranetki contains dozens of times more bioactive components compared to classic varieties.

Any variety of ranetok is unpretentious in care and grows almost everywhere, while having several features and advantages. The fruits have some of the positive properties of the Siberian apple tree, including resistance to cold, early ripening and stable yields.

Due to the listed qualities, ranetki are actively used by breeders for crossing with other varieties.

Growth areas

In most European regions, gardeners prefer trees with larger, juicier apples. Ranetki with a pronounced sour taste can often be found in Siberia. Seedlings are able to grow and bear fruit in any climatic zone, with the exception of the Far North, where low temperatures do not allow the fruits to fully ripen.

Tree height and crown width

For proper growth, one tree needs a plot of 5 x 5 m. Large space is required due to the spreading crown, which is 1-4 m wide, depending on the specific type of apple tree. The seedlings reach a height of 4-5 m.

Taste of apples

The taste of fruits, first of all, depends on the characteristics of the cultivated variety. Also, the taste characteristics are influenced by the surrounding conditions, the care of the seedlings, the fertilizers used and the climate. Most common varieties have a pronounced sweet and sour taste and insignificant astringency. Some varieties produce juicy, sweet apples.

Frost resistance

The ranetki bred by breeders retained some of the positive characteristics of the Siberian apple tree. One of the properties is the ability to endure cold winters with any temperature without a trace.The duration and degree of exposure to cold, as well as the amount of rainfall, do not affect fruiting.

The results of breeding experiments confirm that seedlings do not die at temperatures down to -47 degrees. Frosts do not spoil the taste and juiciness of the crop.

The only measure to protect green spaces that may be required for the winter period is wrapping the trunk with spruce branches and rags. This will protect the trunk circle from frostbite and rodent attacks.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Ranetki are especially appreciated by novice gardeners for their resistance to infections and harmful insects. As an additional protection against the negative impact, it is recommended to carry out preventive measures in order to increase the immunity of trees.

Primary spraying with urea solution is required before sap flow begins.The procedure repels pests that remain under the bark for the winter. With the onset of summer, ranetki need to work with a Bordeaux mixture. Cracked places on the trunk are covered with a solution of copper sulfate or garden pitch. During active fruiting, treatments should not be carried out so that substances do not get into the crop.

Life span of a tree

Varieties of ranetok with periodic fruiting begin to bring the first harvest a year after planting seedlings. Subject to regular proper care, optimal climatic conditions and the absence of negative external influences, the life span of a tree is several decades. Throughout the entire period of development, the planting bears fruit, without losing the taste characteristics of small apples.

Varieties and their characteristics

Among gardeners, several varieties of ranetki are widely used, which differ from each other in a number of characteristics. Each variety has the following individual qualities:

• taste;
• fruit size and juiciness;
• features of cultivation and care;
• appearance, color;
• crown width and height (undersized species and trees up to 5 m high are distinguished).

Dobrynya

Rannetok variety Dobrynya has become widespread due to its resistance to frost and intensive growth. The variety begins to bear fruit later than other varieties - not earlier than 4 years after transplanting into open ground. Dobrynya easily tolerates dry conditions and is immune to scab. From one tree it is possible to get about 35-50 kg of crop.

The fruits have a classic sweet and sour taste with a pronounced tart aftertaste. The crop ripens by the beginning of autumn and can be stored without loss of taste characteristics until February. Apple fruits can be frozen as they will retain their juiciness when thawed.

Long

The main characteristics of the variety Long - sweet taste of fruits with a slight sourness in the aftertaste, fruiting 3 years after planting, the possibility of using the crop as a raw material for harvesting jam or juice. A variety of ranetki has average frost resistance. The crop ripens by the beginning of autumn and is stored for a month after harvest. One tree bears about 25 kg of fruit.

Gold

Ranetka Zolotaya is one of the most winter-hardy varieties.Trees reach a height of 7 m and are characterized by intensive fruiting. The first harvest is obtained after 3-4 years of growth. Up to 50 kg of apples weighing 10-15 g can be grown on each tree. Depending on the surrounding conditions, the crop ripens from mid-summer to September.

Fruits have a yellow skin and firm flesh. The taste of ranetok is sour and tart. The Golden variety is not suitable for long-term storage.

Red

Due to the short shelf life, ranetka Krasnaya is used for making mashed potatoes, compotes and juices. You can harvest from trees of this species the next year after transplanting into open soil.

The fruits ripen at the end of the summer season. Stable fruiting allows for regular harvesting. According to external signs, the Red ranetka resembles small balls of saturated color. The pulp is juicy and creamy, the taste is sour with pronounced astringency.

Laletino

Laletino variety trees are compact in size and have a round, sparse crown. The advantage of the variety is the early ripening of the crop - the first fruits appear 2-3 years after planting. Outwardly, the fruits look like small ribbed apples with a reddish peel. The soft pink flesh is firm and juicy.

The shelf life of the Laletino variety does not exceed 2 months, so they should be consumed fresh. Among experienced gardeners, the variety is considered one of the most delicious.

Raspberry

Small Raspberry apples grow on trees 3 years after planting. The variety is famous for its stable and large harvest, which is harvested in early autumn.

The weight of the fruit is about 10 g, and outwardly they look like a plum. The pulp is juicy and tender with a sweet and sour taste. One of the key advantages of the variety is the ability of long-term storage - Raspberry ranetka does not deteriorate until spring.

Purple

Among the wide variety of purple ranetka is considered the most frost-resistant variety. This species brings a bountiful harvest after 2-3 years from the moment of planting. The fruits are harvested in early September. Up to 50 kg of apples can be harvested from each tree.

The weight of the fruit does not exceed 10 g, the shape is slightly flattened. Skin color - bright red, uniform. The pulp has a standard sourish tart taste. Most often, apples are used for processing, since the shelf life is about 2 months.

Siberian

The fruits of the Sibiryachka variety begin to grow after the 3-4th year of tree development. Ranetka of this species is not distinguished by a large harvest, but is not inferior in quality to the rest. Siberian is resistant to infectious diseases and is practically not exposed to scab.

Spherical fruits weigh up to 20 g. The peel can be yellow or with a red tint. The pulp is juicy with a slight sour taste. In case of insufficient watering, a slight bitterness may be felt in the taste. The crop ripens by the end of summer and is stored for three months in a cool room.

Flashlight

Trees of the Lantern variety have a pyramidal shape. Active fruiting begins 3 years after planting. Harvest ripens by the beginning of autumn. In one season, up to 20 kg of fruits grow, each of which weighs no more than 15 g.

Ranetki are distinguished by their oval shape, smooth surface and bright crimson hue of the peel. During storage, the shade acquires a more saturated color. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, the aroma is almost absent.

Amber

Ranetka Amber has a long lifespan and actively bears fruit for 3 decades. Tall trees with dense vegetation give a stable harvest. Fruit weight does not exceed 10 g. Apples are yellow in color, spherical in shape and have a smooth surface. Due to the standard taste characteristics, the crop is more often used as a raw material for making jams and juices.

Honey

Tall honeymoon trees with a rounded crown bring a stable and large crop, which is harvested in late summer. Ripe ranetki fall off the branches on their own, which simplifies the harvesting process.

Compared to other varieties, the fruits have a greater weight, reaching 40 g. A pronounced sweet taste with honey notes allows you to use apples in cooking various dishes or eat them fresh.

Dwarf

Despite the compactness of the trees, Dwarf ranetka bears fruit with no less intensity than other varieties. The trees bear bright red fruit with firm texture and juicy flesh.

The disadvantages of the variety include a short life span (2 times less than other varieties), as well as the need for a better garter due to the many fruits ripening on thin and fragile branches.

Columnar

The variety belongs to the category of mid-season and brings the harvest in early autumn. Small juicy fruits have a rich red color and a sour taste. The shape of the ranetok is spherical with pronounced ribbing.

The columnar ranetka requires careful care, including regular watering and fertilizing. Subject to the rules of care, the yield reaches 180 centners per hectare. Throughout the year, the trees bear fruit evenly, without a clearly defined periodicity.

Optimal care for good growth and harvest

To get a large crop of ranetok, you must follow some rules for the care of seedlings. Specifically, trees require:

1. Regular watering. The earth in the near-trunk circle should be constantly moistened.
2. Fertilization. Top dressing provides intensive growth and affects the abundance of the crop.
3. Crown pruning. If the vegetation is very dense, the amount of yield may decrease.
4. Protection against pests and diseases. Spraying plantings with insecticidal and fungicidal preparations allows you to maintain the quality of the crop.
5. Garter. To prevent seedlings with fragile and thin trunks from breaking due to exposure to precipitation or wind, it is necessary to securely fix them on the site.

In order to timely detect problems in the development of trees, it is recommended to constantly inspect plantings. If traces of pests or diseases are noticed on the ranetki, it is necessary to process the seedlings and create favorable environmental conditions.

Terms of landing and leaving

It is recommended to transfer seedlings of ranetok to open ground before the start of sap flow in March or autumn. For trees, they dig a hole with humus in advance and insert a tie post.

Place the seedling in the hole in such a way that the top of the root system remains above the soil surface. To ensure that the roots are firmly fixed in the ground, abundant watering is required immediately after sprinkling with earth.

Crown formation

After the second year, the formation of the crown of trees is required. Pruning is carried out after the leaves fall or in early March before the onset of active vegetation. Withered and old branches must be removed from the crown.

It is also recommended to cut off young shoots directed at an acute angle to the trunk, which will protect the branches from breaking under the weight of apples. In the absence of the formation of a roof, the tree will bring a small harvest.

Reproduction

It is possible to increase the number of trees on the site in various ways. The easiest way is to plant the seeds in open ground and wait for the entrances. Due to the natural vitality, the seedling grows with minimal care.

Also reproduction can be done by grafting. To do this, part of the ranetki branches are grafted onto other apple trees or wilds. In this case, it will not be necessary to look for a new place for planting seedlings, while increasing the yield.

The period of ripening and fruiting

Most of the ranetok varieties begin to bear fruit in the second year of tree development. Flowering occurs in late spring or early summer. The exact timing depends on the characteristics of the variety and climatic conditions. The duration of flowering can reach 10 days.

Trees begin to actively bear fruit, subject to regular care and suitable weather. There are varieties that bear fruit periodically - the crop of such trees ripens every year.

When fruits ripen

Common types of ranetki bring crops at the end of the summer season or early autumn. Late-ripening varieties fully ripen in October. In order to always have a fresh harvest, experienced gardeners plant different varieties on the plots, which differ in terms of ripening and shelf life.

Yields from each tree vary from 20 to 70 kg depending on the variety. Winter cold does not affect the fruiting of most types of ranetki.

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