Today we want to tell you about the sort of apples with a very warm, winter name “Christmas”.
It was obtained only 20 years ago, but quickly gained popularity among gardeners and began to grow in many suburban areas.
What kind is it?
Christmas refers to the winter varieties of apples. Fruits can be removed at the beginning of autumn, after which they should lie down for a while and ripen before use.
Winter varieties are distinguished by their long laying times.. To ensure that the harvest is well preserved, it is recommended to clean it for the winter in a cool cellar.
Pollination
For Rozhdestvensky, it is recommended to plant winter varieties of apples. You can land on the site Antonovka, Melbu or Papirovka.
Description of the Christmas variety
Despite the variety of varieties, each apple tree has its own individual characteristics and qualities that make it unique and distinguish it from others. On what grounds can you find out the Christmas variety: look at the photo below and read the detailed description of the apple tree.
- Apple tree sredneroslaya, characterized by rapid growth. In the first few years, the growth of seedlings reaches from 40 to 60-70 cm. In length. The crown of the apple-tree of the wide-pyramidal form of the average density.
- The main (main) branches are strong, grow almost at a right angle. The bark of the branches and on the shtambe gray color, with a slight peeling
- Shoots are brown, thickened, weakly folded, rounded in cross section.
- Buds pressed, conical shape, pubescent.
- The leaves are oval, pointed at the ends, dull, wrinkled, wavy along the edges. The tops of the leaves are twisted like a spiral. The plates are shriveled, pubescent.
- Abundant apple blossom. Inflorescences are large, umbellate and include 5-6 pale pink flowers with rounded petals.
Fruits can be characterized as follows:
- Apples of medium size - about 140-150 grams, but there can be specimens up to 180-200 grams. The largest fruit was recorded in 2011 in the Bratkin VP garden, which reached 450 grams.
- Fruits are round, slightly flattened, with unexpressed large lobes. The skin is dense with a pleasant glossy sheen.
- Apples are green-yellow with an attractive red blush around the entire circumference.
- The stem is straight, elongated, long. The funnel is average. Seeds are oval, brownish.
- The flesh is white and cream, aromatic, sweet-sour pleasant taste.
- At the tasting appearance was given a score of 4.4 points and 4.3 points for taste.
A photo
Breeding history
Rozhdestvenskoe variety was obtained in 1985 at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crops.
The work was carried out by a group of breeders from Russia: Sedov, EN, Serova, ZM, Dolmatov, EA, Zhdanov, V.V. The variety was obtained by crossing Wesley with the hybrid form BM 41497.
Breeders managed to endow a new variety with a special Vf gene, thanks to which it is fully protected from scab, and also has good immunity to other diseases and pests. Included in the registry in 2001.
The grade passed the state test at the end of the 20th century in the Central Chernozem and Central regionswhere and received widespread. It can also be grown in other regions of our country.
Yield
Apple trees bear fruit well and produce an annual harvest. Breeders noted that in three years, young trees can be collected on average up to 180 centners per hectare. This is significantly more than the Antonovka variety.
Planting and care
If you decide to grow this sort of apple on your plot, be careful about choosing a place to plant and recommendations for proper care. This will help avoid growing problems, protect against pests and diseases.
- It is better to plant a young tree in late spring in dry warm weather.. You can do this in early autumn before the onset of cold weather. In this case, it is recommended to tie the tree to the peg, and at the bottom put a layer of mulch. This will help protect the seedling from frost and wind.
- Landing place should be open and sunny. In the shade trees grow not bad, but the quality and quantity of the harvest can decrease dramatically.
- Apple is suitable for almost any soil. The main thing is that it is loose, light, well passed water and oxygen to the roots. If the ground is clay, it is recommended to add sand to it.
- A young tree is planted in a deep wide hole (approximately 60 to 60). Fertilizer is applied to the bottom (peat, ash) and an earth mound is made in the center where the tree is placed. The roots are carefully straightened, buried with earth, tamped and watered. It is more convenient to plant an apple tree together.
- Before planting a tree, be sure to inspect it.. The root system can not be shortened, and the first pruning of branches can be carried out immediately before planting in the ground.
Features of care:
- Water the apple tree should be moderate and regular. The land should be well hydrated after watering, but without an excess of moisture. For the outflow of water is recommended to dig special grooves near the tree. In rainy weather, you can often loosen the ground so that the roots can breathe and moisture does not stagnate in the ground.
- For good development and growth you need to feed the apple tree. In the first year of fertilizer can not make (only when planting). In the second year in the spring to feed the mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. If the soil is fertile, care should be taken when feeding. Their excess can harm.
- Pruning is recommended every spring. It is especially important to pay attention to this in the early years of growth. Pruning will help to properly form the crown, protect against diseases and pests, promote good growth and development.
- Variety Christmas distinguishes good winter hardiness. But, mulching the earth before the onset of cold weather will not be superfluous. Mulch will help to survive severe frosts, and in the spring will serve as food.
Diseases and pests
As mentioned earlier, the Rozhdestvenskoye variety has good protection against scab.
The most unpleasant pests are woody (bark beetles, ticks, scythes).. Insects make their way into the bark and bring them hard enough. Spraying karbofos solution has a good result in the fight against these pests.
Insects infecting foliage, buds and buds cause no less damage. These include: moth, hawthorn, moth, sucker, aphid.
Spraying with a solution of chlorophos before flowering is effective against these insects.
Christmas is a new variety of apples that is increasingly attracting the attention of many gardeners. It is characterized by winter hardiness, good taste, as well as an excellent immunity against scab - a dangerous enemy of many apple trees.
Growing such an apple tree is not difficult. If you give her your attention and care, for many years she will delight you with a bountiful harvest.
