Uslada apple tree was bred by breeder Isaev in the middle of the last century. Gardeners have already managed to appreciate all the advantages of this variety. The tree gives delicious fruits for universal use. Obtaining a good crop will help compliance with the rules of planting and care.
Varietal features of the Delight apple tree
Characteristic
The tree is medium-sized. The crown of a young apple tree is round, with time it becomes more elongated. The leaves are egg-shaped, pointed, have a bright green color.
The description indicates that the fruits of the variety are of medium size. The surface is smooth, yellow-green in color with a delicate pink blush. The taste of apples is sweet, with berry notes. The pulp is crispy and juicy.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Experienced gardeners distinguish such advantages of the variety:
- miniature, unpretentiousness in leaving;
- high productivity even in adverse weather conditions;
- high frost resistance;
- good taste and marketability of apples;
- high resistance to fungal diseases and pests.
Apple Trees have a high shoot-forming ability. Many call it a disadvantage, because the crown has to be cut more often. The ripe fruits of the variety are very tender, they are not suitable for long-term storage. The variety has no other drawbacks.
Productivity
The tree brings its first fruits 4-5 years after planting. Productivity is consistently high even with high rainfall.
According to the description, 60-80 kg of apples can be harvested from one adult tree per season. Indicators depend on the terrain, soil composition, as well as on care.
Autonomy
Delight is a self-infertile variety. Cross-pollination is necessary for fruit to appear on the tree.
Near the apple tree of this species should be pollinators. Such varieties are used as them - Grushovka, Orlik, Bogatyr, President.
Winter hardiness
Delight refers to frost-resistant varieties. Even young trees withstand extreme temperatures.
In winter, the apple tree tolerates frosts up to -25 ° C. This allows you to grow it in different regions of Russia.
Apple tree planting
Young seedlings must be tied
Variety apple trees are planted in late April or autumn, until early October. A tree needs fertile land. The ideal option is chernozem.
Basic landing rules:
- a few days before it, you need to prepare holes 60-75 cm deep, when planting several young trees, the distance between the holes should be at least 4 m;
- loosen the soil in the holes, add compost (10-20 kg per sq. m), superphosphate (25 g per sq. m), potassium and nitrogen fertilizing (10-15 g per sq. m);
- place the seedling in a hole and sprinkle with earth;
- tamp the soil in the near-stem zone;
- water the seedling plentifully;
- after 7 days, cover the near-stem soil with mulch, water the tree again.
Young trees need to be tied to a peg. For the apple tree, you need to select a place protected from drafts.
Care
The apple tree is undemanding in care. It is necessary to carry out standard procedures for fruit crops:
- watering. Irrigate the seedlings as the top of the soil dries. Watering of adult trees after winter begins during the formation of buds, continues until November. The frequency of hydration is every 14 days, the abundance is 15 liters. It is necessary to water the tree under the root;
- top dressing. In spring, ammonium nitrate is introduced. In autumn, a tree needs phosphorus-potassium mixtures; they are scattered in specially dug grooves around the crown perimeter;
- pruning and crown formation. Due to its high shoot-forming ability, the tree needs pruning. In the spring, before the movement of juices, all shoots that will not bear fruit are removed. Branches growing inward, old and frozen, are also cut. The procedure is carried out with a sharp tool, the slices must be treated with garden var.
In dry, hot summers, Uslada apple trees need more frequent watering. After harvesting, before winter, the earth around the trunk needs to be carefully dug up and potash fertilizers applied. Stamp apple trees are advised to wrap roofing material to protect against pests.
Features of ripening and fruiting
The variety blooms from mid-May to mid-June. The flowers are very beautiful and fragrant. The first fruiting occurs at 4-5 years.
Apples ripen by mid-August, by which time they acquire maximum weight and a sweet taste. You can collect fruits already in mid-July. Unripe fruits taste a pleasant sour note.
Harvesting and storage of crops
Late harvest is most sweet
All crops should be harvested by early September. The later the fruits are harvested, the sweeter they are.
Apples are stored for 4-5 months. Ripe fruits can be kept in a cool room with good ventilation until January. Fruits harvested in mid-July can last until March.
Fresh apples should be stored on shelves covered with straw so that the fruits do not touch each other. You can keep the crop in wooden crates, while between the fruits stack sheets of cardboard.
Pests and diseases
The main advantage of the Uslada apple tree is its resistance to pests and fungal diseases, including scab. But with improper care, various ailments and parasites can affect the culture.
Diseases to which the variety is subject:
- powdery mildew - affects the bark, leaves, buds, they are covered first with a light, and then a brown coating;
- cytosporosis - damage to the cortex, in which large sections of it die;
- fruit rot - manifested by mass rotting apples, they deteriorate and fall to the ground;
- black cancer - affects the bark, leaves and fruits, they are covered with black spots of rot, the bark cracks and turns out.
Insects that attack the apple tree include:
- red tick - gnaws leaves, sucking out juice from them;
- leaflets - cover the leaves with a small cobweb, folding them into a tube, damage buds and buds;
- green aphids - small insects that develop to a huge colony, devour leaves, leaving a white coating;
- codling moth - eats the flesh and seeds of apples.
Each type of pest has its own means. From fungal diseases, Topaz and Hom are used. To get rid of insects, use insecticides.
Damaged areas must be removed and burned away from the garden. To prevent diseases after leaf fall, you need to remove all leaves from the ground, treat the trees with insecticidal solutions.
Subspecies of the apple tree
The choice of species depends on the area.
There are three subspecies of the apple variety Variety, each of which needs a different care:
- columnar. Needs more careful care, the formation of the root system and pruning of the crown. The subspecies is used for growing on an industrial scale;
- on a dwarf stock. It is characterized by increased frost resistance, earlier fruiting;
- on a clonal stock. It is necessary to use it if you need to give the tree new qualities.
The choice of variety depends on the location and purpose of the apple trees.
Growing regions
Apple trees are grown in many regions of Russia - in the middle lane, in the south and north-west. There are some features of caring for the culture in different areas.
In the Leningrad region it is necessary to reduce the number of irrigations. In Siberia, gardeners recommend growing a variety on a dwarf rootstock. She better survives harsh winters. In the suburbs, trees grow without problems. The amount and abundance of watering depends on weather conditions.
Gardeners reviews
Many gardeners managed to appreciate the merits of the apple tree. They note the high yield of the variety. In the southern regions, trees bring the first fruits already in the 3rd year after planting. In the northwest, according to reviews, fruiting occurs later.
Gardeners also note that spring rises in groundwater are almost not harmful to apple trees. But varieties on dwarf rootstocks are advised to plant on a hill. Permissible groundwater level is 1-1.5 m.
All who cultivate the variety of apples Delight, note the excellent taste of the fruit. Many people feel raspberry notes in it. Apples are well suited for preserving, making jams, sauces, juices.
