Champagne apple tree: description and characteristics of the variety, reviews of gardeners with photos

Apple tree is perhaps one of those trees that can be found in almost every garden. The reason for this is the unpretentiousness and ease of cultivation. There are many varieties of these fruits, and one of them is Champagne apples. Champagne fruit is ideal for self-cultivation.

Variety description

This is one of the most successful varieties for growing in your own garden. The fruits grow large - an average of 100 grams. Some can reach 150 grams. Ripe fruits are predominantly round in shape. When ripe, the apples of this variety are light yellow in color with red patches or "blush".

The description of this type of fruit says that such apples are juicy and have a dense texture. A characteristic wax coating is possible on the skin. The fruits have a sweet-sour taste, while in the process of ripening, the sour taste becomes less.

Subspecies variety:

Ranet champagne;
Splashes of champagne;
Lifland champagne;
Crimean champagne.

Pros and cons of apple tree Champagne

The positive features of this type of apple include:

Frost resistance. Don't worry about the wood freezing in winter - it keeps well in low temperatures.
Resistant to diseases common to most apple trees.
Even after damage, this variety quickly recovers.

But you can't do without cons. Unfortunately, Champagne apples do not lie long. The shelf life of fruits, subject to temperature conditions, is 1 month. Another disadvantage is a rather large percentage of damage to the tree from the rays of the spring sun.

Main characteristics of the variety

To determine if the Champagne apple tree is suitable for growing in the garden, you should familiarize yourself with the main characteristics and features of this tree.

Sizes

The trees themselves reach great heights - up to 5 meters. If you do not form a crown from the very beginning and allow the apple tree to grow on its own, then in the end you may encounter difficulties in caring.

The ripe apples themselves weigh an average of 100 grams, but there are also large specimens reaching up to 150 grams.

Yields

The yield of this type of apple is high: among all the varieties of apple trees in this group, the Champagne variety occupies one of the leading positions. This is a priority for many gardeners, especially if the crop is grown for sale.

If the spring turned out to be warm and sunny, then the harvest will be better and more than in the case of an abundance of rain and wind. Yields are also increased by the pollination of the tree by insects or other apple trees.

Frequency of fruiting

With proper care (timely watering, fertilizing and feeding, tree crown formation and pest protection), the apple tree will bear fruit annually. The first apples appear, as a rule, not earlier than the 3rd-5th year of the tree's growth.

The apple tree begins to bloom towards the end of spring and continues until about the tenth of June. The fruits ripen in early August until early September.

Winter hardiness

One of the advantages of this variety of apple trees is their winter hardiness and ability to tolerate low temperatures. Of course, the younger the tree, the more susceptible to bad weather conditions, but in general, these apple trees survive the winter well.

Even if minor damage has occurred, the tree is easily and quickly restored and continues to produce.

However, it is still recommended to prepare for the cold season. In autumn, it is better to feed and treat the tree with special means, and whiten the trunk. If this is a young apple tree, you can cover the trunks to avoid damage by rodents.

Disease resistance

Champagne apples are disease resistant and rarely attacked by pests. But even if this happened, then the ability to quickly recover can be called a plus of the species. The likelihood that it will take a long time to treat the tree, and the gardener will miss the harvest season, is small.

Fruit evaluation

Evaluation of apples is carried out on a five-point system based on a number of indicators and characteristics of the fruit. Apples of the Champagne variety received a tasting score of 4.6 points. They are suitable for baking, making jam, jam, marmalade, compote and dried fruits. They are also recommended to be consumed fresh.

Best Growing Regions

Apples of this species, due to their characteristics, take root in most regions of Russia, but the best place for growing is the central strip. Trees of this species are often planted in Siberia, despite possible extreme temperature conditions - Champagne apples are winter-hardy and can quickly recover in case of damage.

Reviews of gardeners about the apple tree

Valentin, Belgorod: “The Champagne apple tree has been growing here for a long time. Harvest annually, easily survives even cold winters, unpretentious. The fruits are tasty, but not stored for long. What we don’t have time to eat or sell goes to conservation.”

Oksana, Nizhny Novgorod: “More than one tree of this variety grows on the family plot. The taste is amazing, the apples are beautiful. Differs in extraordinary resistance to diseases. We are happy.”

Artem, Perm: “I bought a tree after seeing a photo on the Internet. The first harvest was already in the 4th year. The tree easily survives winters and temperature fluctuations. Recommended.”