Apple tree Memory Kovalenko: description and characteristics of the variety, growing regions with photo

If you want to enjoy apples of decent taste until the onset of the spring period, it is recommended to look at the apple tree with the name Kovalenko's Memory. Today, horticultural crops are successfully grown by Russian gardeners in the middle zone, so it’s worth getting acquainted with the benefits and studying information about the features of horticultural crops, which will help beginners and experienced gardeners to get a decent harvest.

Variety description

The apple tree of the Memory Kovalenko variety appeared thanks to the work of a team of Belarusian scientists. A distinctive quality of the new species was the low trunk of the tree and the compact shape of the crown. Such features make it possible today not to use dwarf rootstocks and form dense plantings.

Description classifies the variety as late winter, which indicates the possibility of long-term storage of fruits. Initially, the hybrid was bred as resistant to cold and frost, but the practice of growing the last 10 years indicates that the trees are not resistant to too low temperatures.

Features

Memory Kovalenko's variety gives fruits of an attractive presentation, which allows it to be grown on an industrial scale. Apples have the correct rounded shape or a little resembling a cone. Their average weight reaches 160 g.

The skin of the fruit of the apple tree is dense, the surface is smooth, shiny in appearance and looks like wiped with oil. At the time of final ripening, apples acquire a dark red color with a characteristic blush that occupies most of the fruit.

Fruits are able to stay on the branches for a long time, so the problem of mass shedding for trees is not typical.

Pros and cons of the variety

The advantages of the variety include its compactness and good ability to form a crown of the correct shape. The benefits of a garden plant include:

regular fruiting;
high fruiting rate of marketable fruit quality;
scab resistant;
short timeframes regarding the quick return of fruits.

The taste and commercial benefits of apples persist for a long period. The disadvantages include the insufficient ability of trees to endure long-term low-temperature environmental conditions.

Mature tree size, annual growth

The trees of this variety are not very tall, and the branches that form almost at right angles and the rarity of their location allow increasing planting density.Shoots are formed of medium thickness and have a moderate ability to grow. The height of the tree can reach 4 m, the diameter of the crown can be up to 3 m. On average, the annual growth is no more than 18 mm.

Frequency of fruiting

Gardeners note the regularity and sufficient abundance of fruiting apple trees. In the process of growing, data on the frequency of return of the crop were not noted. The first fruits are obtained in the 4th year. When using a semi-dwarf rootstock, the fruiting period is from 2 to 3 years, but the size and weight of apples is reduced.

Yields

The hybrid is characterized by stability and regular yield. When grown on personal plots, the yield is from 40 to 50 kg. On an industrial scale, the value can reach 30 t/ha.

Tasting evaluation

The pulp of apples has a yellowish-cream color. The structure of the fruit is dense, juicy, fine-grained. Fruits have a sour-sweet dessert shade and a pronounced apple flavor. On a tasting 5-point scale, the species received a rating of 4.5, and the palatability was recognized as the standard.

Frost resistance

There are different estimates regarding the winter hardiness of the variety. Most experts consider the plant to be winter-hardy, and evaluate the ability to tolerate cold as good. Trees winter well in the middle Russian regions, they are able to tolerate a temporary drop in temperature to -45 °C.

Disease resistance

The advantage of horticultural crops is the resistance of apple trees to scab. The weak point of horticultural culture is wood and tree bark, which may not withstand the invasion of pests and diseases.

Terms of flowering and fruit ripening

Memory Kovalenko hybrid starts flowering in May, but dates may be adjusted by weather conditions. Late winter ripening makes it possible to harvest in the last days of September. Fruits can be eaten immediately or harvested for long-term storage. Fresh apples retain their taste and appearance until February.

Good Growing Areas

Good indicators of the return of the crop and the survival rate of trees are recorded in central Russia and Belarus. Such areas are considered the most suitable for growing apple trees of the Pamyat Kovalenko variety.