Apple Celeste: variety description and disease resistance, taste

Celesta apple tree is highly valued by gardeners for its productivity and low maintenance requirements, and its juicy fruits - for taste, long shelf life and attractive appearance. The hybrid was bred in Germany, and combines the qualities of the best dessert fruits, being an improved clone of the famous Delkorf apples. Why are the fruits of the Celeste variety good, and what are their features? First things first.

The appearance of the tree

Celeste's apple trees visually do not have special signs that distinguish them from other apple trees. Matte leaves are slightly curved, and the branches are covered with greenish bark.The tree is medium-sized and reaches 3-4 meters in height. However, growth slows down at the initial appearance of fruits. Flowering occurs in the first half of May. Beige buds turn into pinkish white saucer-shaped flowers.

What fruits look like

Apples of the Celesta variety have a decent presentation and are distinguished by taste properties that allow the fruits to be considered dessert. Fragrant, sweet, crunchy flesh melts in the mouth, and a slight sourness is a distinctive feature of the variety.

The fruits have a regular rounded or slightly elongated shape. The main color is yellowish green. On the sides, and less often on the entire surface of the glossy peel, pale vertical stripes of red shades are noticeable. Celeste apples are large and can weigh up to 200 grams.

Fruiting

Fruiting begins quickly. The primary crop can be harvested in the third year of life, but there were situations when Celesta bore fruit a year after planting. The apples ripen alternately, so they require manual picking, to which the variety is well adapted. The fruits are highly transportable and rarely break even when dropped.

The first stage of the collection falls on the second half of August. Celesta is especially stable and produces a quality crop every year. With proper planting and regular care, up to 110 kilograms of juicy and strong fruits are harvested from one tree.

Disease resistance

Because the variety, called Celesta, was bred by crossing, its genetic feature is resistance to a large number of diseases. These include powdery mildew, scab, black cancer and some types of viruses.

However, it should be borne in mind that an apple variety that is considered resistant to a certain type of disease can become infected with it after several years.This is due to the fact that pests and bacteria can mutate, giving rise to new physiological races. In addition, rodents and flying insects can visit the garden, so preventive treatment measures should not be neglected.

Winter hardiness

An important feature of the hybrid variety is winter hardiness. Celeste apple trees are resistant to frost and can withstand temperatures as low as -40 C.

Pollination

Pollination is the process by which an apple flower receives pollen from another plant before fertilization begins. This is necessary to improve the quality and quantity of the crop. The success of the process is ensured by butterflies, bees and the wind, carrying pollen between the flowers of trees.

For this reason, apple trees of various varieties are recommended to be planted in groups, not far from each other. A suitable pollinator can grow on its own or neighboring plot. Celestes are great for pollination:

• Arlette;
• Discovery;
• Elista;
• Idared;
• Sunrise;
• Nydared;
• Antonovka;
• James Giv;
• Lodel;
• Summered;
• Gala Mast;
• Elstar;
• Idared;
• Fiesta.

Recommended