Apple tree Autumn joy: variety description and characteristics, breeding history with photo

Autumn joy apple tree is a suitable fruit tree for cultivation in the household. After being harvested, the fruits retain their taste for a long time, remaining fragrant and juicy even in winter. The advantage of the variety is that it grows in places not suitable for gardening, is winter hardy and has strong immunity to diseases.

Description of variety Autumn joy

The hybrid was obtained by gradual pollination. The mother variety was 'Welsey'. Since the apple tree grew on poor soils, it developed resistance to low temperatures and infections.It reaches high growth, has a spreading crown and round shapes. The bark is brown, the shoots are large and straight, slightly drooping. The stems are decorated with yellow lentils. They are round and elongated. The kidneys are gray and large.

Apples of Autumn Joy are concentrated on fruit twigs. When describing the variety, it is distinguished that the ovoid green leaf is covered with wrinkles, along the edges - waves. The approximate weight of the fruit is about 110-135 g. The fruits have a regular round shape, lengthening towards the top. They turn out green, with a burgundy blush and barely noticeable strokes. A gray spot is visible on the surface.

A small stalk protrudes from a wide and shallow funnel with little rustiness.

Seeds of the apple-tree variety Autumn Joy are brown-red. Cups are small, closed type. The subcup tube is small in size and conical in shape.

What kind of

The apple tree belongs to the autumn species. You can collect fruits at the end of August. By the beginning of autumn, apples ripen, filling with juice. They stay on the tree for a long time without losing their attractiveness and taste. If you place the apples in a cool place, they can be stored for up to 60 days. Insects pollinate apple trees of the Autumn Joy variety. They are attracted by the sweet smell of the apple tree.

History of selection

In 1948, the breeder S.I. Isaev selected 15 Welsey trees and performed a two-stage pollination. First, the paternal variety Brown striped became the pollinator, then the maternal variety. The process was successful: Isaev brought out the seeds of Autumn joy. They were stratified for 4 months before disembarkation. She went well. When growing an apple tree, the mentor method was used.

The variety was hardened in poor soils, thanks to which it has amazing resistance to diseases.

Region of natural growth

The hybrid has become popular in Ukraine and Belarus. Although the variety feels great in a harsh climate, it is not recommended to grow it in Siberia.

But initially the hybrid was intended for cultivation in the following regions of Russia:

Ivanovskaya;
Moscow;
Smolenskaya;
Ryazan;
Tula;
Kaluga;
Vladimirskaya;
Tverskaya;
Bryansk;
Yaroslavskaya.

In the heat and drought, the apple tree must be watered periodically. In the spring, nutrients in dissolved form should be added to the soil. Doing this in dry soil is unrealistic. It should be watered abundantly, otherwise exhaustion of the tree cannot be avoided.

Apple grows well in cold conditions. To speed up adaptation, it can be fed. For young trees, the recommended frequency of the procedure is twice a year, for adults - 1 time. It is better to use organic fertilizers.

Characteristics of the variety

The variety of Autumn Joy is widely used in breeding. In NIIS, thanks to him, they created new hybrids - Zavetnoye and the Firebird. Amateur gardeners are sure that the variety is superior to Lungwort, Aelita, Young Naturalist in taste and appearance.

The apple tree is susceptible to diseases such as black cancer, cytosporosis, bacterial burn.

It can be damaged by pests:

hawthorn;
green aphid;
apple codling moth.

Disinfection and spraying with Actellik, Enterobacterin will help. You need to take care of a tree in a complex way, from early spring to late autumn. In the spring, you should inspect the tree, heal wounds, treat it from insects. In autumn - whiten and feed.

Pros and cons

Minus in poor branching of trees, branching at an acute angle, fragility of branches in young apple trees growing in warm conditions.

Among the advantages of the variety are:

Frost resistance.
Dessert taste.
Attractive shape.
Large size.
Profuse harvests.
Weak disease attack.

Tree dimensions

The apple tree is tall. If it is not formed, growth can be 12 meters. Breeders note that annual growth is weak.

Yield and frequency of fruiting

The difference between the variety of autumn joy is its high, but not regular yield. Flowering begins in May. Its duration depends on the temperature. One tree can please 90 kg of fruit.

Apple trees that have reached the age of 20 give 60 kg more fruits. Fruiting begins in the fourth or fifth year after planting. The first abundant harvest occurs in the 7th year. Although the fruits are firmly attached to the stems, it is impossible to delay their collection: ripe apples fall off. The apple tree bears fruit every year.

Tasting evaluation

Due to its sweet pronounced taste, the variety received a tasting score of 4.3 points. The apples have a beige flesh with a sweet and sour taste, with hints of spice.

It contains:

sugars - 10.2%;
dry matter - 12.6%;
titratable acids - 0.3%.

The structure of the fruit is tender and rich, medium density. They can be eaten fresh or used for preservation.

Winter hardiness and disease resistance

The apple tree is not afraid of low temperatures and scab. In terms of winter hardiness, it has the same indicators as the paternal variety Brown striped. In especially severe winters, the apple tree can freeze slightly. This is especially true for perennial wood. The tree is restored quickly.

Fit Features

The apple tree should not be adjacent to other fruit trees It should be planted in an open and well-lit place. The best time for this is March or April. A week before landing, you need to prepare. The seedlings are laid in pits 60 cm deep and 1 m wide. The soil is fertilized before this, after planting it is watered abundantly. This promotes good rooting.