Content
Apple variety A gift for gardeners is one of the most popular, as it has a stable yield in regions with risky farming. Fruits of this type are characterized by high palatability and are subject to long-term storage under certain conditions. The name of the variety fully meets the expectations of gardeners, since in order to get a good harvest of apples, it is enough just to adhere to the general rules of care.
"Gift for gardeners" - a variety of universal use
Breeding history
The “Gift for Gardeners” was received in 1959. Employees of the Siberian Institute of Horticulture named after V.I. M.A. Lisavenko. The purpose of the breeding work was to create a stable variety that yields stable fruits during temperature extremes, in short summer conditions. And the resulting variety fully met all expectations.
The apple tree “Gift for gardeners” is based on such species as “Melba” and “Laletino”. The variety standard was officially recognized in 1998 and entered into the State Register. It is recommended for cultivation throughout the West Siberian region.
Description of apple tree Gift for gardeners
This species has a number of characteristics that distinguish it from the rest. Therefore, when choosing a variety, you should pay attention to them, which will allow you to get a complete picture of the apple tree "Gift for gardeners".
Fruit and tree appearance
The variety belongs to the category of medium-sized. The height of the tree does not exceed 3 m, and the diameter is 3.5 m. The crown of the "Gift of Gardeners" is round, medium thickening. Branches of moderate thickness. Ripe shoots have a reddish-brown tint of the bark, and young ones - green. There is pubescence on the surface of the branches.
The leaves of this variety are large, oblong-oval. Petioles are of medium length. The plates have a greenish-gray tint; they are pubescent on the reverse side. There are small notches along the edge of the leaves.
The apples are one-dimensional, small, the average weight is 70-80 g. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened towards the center. The main color is greenish-yellow, the integumentary color is red, presented in the form of small strokes that reach half of the fruit.
The flesh of the "Gift for Gardeners" is white, with a slight greenish tinge, dense, slightly grained.
When fully ripe, apples are juicy with a pleasant aroma
Life span
Apple tree "Gift for gardeners" stably bears fruit until the age of fifteen, and then must be replaced. Subject to all the rules of planting and agricultural technology, the life span can be extended by another 5 years, and if the recommendations are ignored, it can be significantly reduced.
Taste
Apples "Gift for gardeners" have a pleasant sweetish taste with a slight sourness. Tasting grade score is 4.5-4.8 points out of 5 possible. The fruits contain tannins, ascorbic acid, and P-active components. But at the same time they have an insignificant concentration of pectins and titratable acids.
Apples of this variety are ideal for drying and preparing compotes, marmalades and preserves.
Growing regions
The apple tree "Gift for gardeners" is widely grown in the Altai Territory and Siberia. But the variety also shows high productivity in the central regions. And in the southern regions it is not recommended to grow it, since the apple tree does not tolerate dry air and lack of moisture. In such conditions, it is almost impossible to achieve even an average level of yield.
Yield
The first fruiting of the apple tree "Gift for gardeners" occurs 3-4 years after planting, and occurs every season thereafter. The average yield of a ten-year-old tree is 20.5 kg, and by 15 years - 30 kg.
Frost resistant
Frost resistance of the "Gift for gardeners" variety is average. When the temperature drops to -40 degrees, the bark may freeze with the appearance of cracks. But the peculiarity of this apple tree is that it has the ability to quickly regenerate.
Temperature drops and prolonged frosts do not significantly affect the yield of the variety.
Disease and pest resistance
The apple tree "Gift for gardeners" is immune to scab. But it shows moderate resistance to other common diseases. In case of inadequate growing conditions, this variety can suffer from aphids and leafworms. Therefore, in order to prevent damage, it is necessary to treat the crown and trunk with fungicides and insecticides every spring.
Flowering period and ripening period
The apple tree "Gift for gardeners" is one of the autumn species. It blooms in early June and lasts from 6 to 10 days, depending on the air temperature. Removable ripeness of fruits occurs in the second half of September. Therefore, harvesting can be carried out during this period and over the next 2 weeks.
Pollinators
The "Gift for gardeners" variety is self-fertile. Therefore, for the set of apples, he does not need other pollinating trees.
Transportation and keeping quality
The fruits have a thin but dense skin, so they can easily be transported even over long distances. Also apples of this variety are well stored for a long time without loss of marketability.
Advantages and disadvantages
This variety has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing it, you should pay attention to them.
The variety "Gift for gardeners" can be used as a basis for breeding new species
The main advantages of the variety:
- stable yield;
- presentation of apples;
- great taste;
- versatility of application;
- fruits can be stored and transported for a long time;
- quickly recovers when freezing;
- immune to scab, weather conditions;
- does not need pollinators.
Disadvantages:
- small apples;
- the tree does not tolerate even a short-term drought;
- medium resistance to frost.
Landing
For planting, you should choose 2-year-old seedlings. Plants can be planted in a permanent place at the end of April or in the first decade of September.
Algorithm of the procedure:
- Prepare a hole 80 cm deep and 70 cm wide.
- Lay a layer of rubble 5 cm thick on the bottom.
- Fill 2/3 of the pit volume with a nutrient mixture from turf, humus, leafy soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
- Additionally add 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulphide, mix everything thoroughly.
- Make a small elevation in the center of the pit.
- Put a seedling on it, spread the roots.
- Install a support nearby.
- The root collar of the apple tree cannot be buried when planting, it must be at the level of the soil.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, compact the surface at the base.
- Water the seedling abundantly.
Growing and care
It is necessary to water the apple tree regularly, in the absence of seasonal rainfall - 2 times a week. Top dressing is also important for this variety. They strengthen the plant's immunity and increase its frost resistance.In the spring, the apple tree needs to be fertilized with urea or ammonium nitrate, and during budding and ovary formation, use superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Pruning should also be carried out annually, which helps to give the crown the correct shape and clear it of thickening shoots. In addition, in early spring, the "Gift for Gardeners" apple tree should be sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture, as well as additionally treated with the "Inta-Vir" insecticide.
What to do if it does not bear fruit
Sometimes you can hear complaints from gardeners that the apple tree of this variety does not bear fruit. This can happen for a number of reasons:
- The root collar of the seedling is buried in the soil.
- Excess nitrogen in the soil.
- Lack of timely trimming.
To correct the situation, it is enough to correct the care and remove excess soil at the base of the tree.
Collection and storage
Apples "Gift for gardeners" are suitable for long-term storage for 4 months. and more. To do this, you need to put the crop in wooden boxes and shift it with straw so that the fruits do not come into contact with each other. Then place them in a cool, well ventilated area.
The fruit should be removed from the tree at the stage of absolute maturity.
Conclusion
Apple variety A gift for gardeners is an ideal crop option that is able to show stable productivity while observing standard care rules. Therefore, this species does not lose its relevance over the years. The variety still stands up to competition with dignity due to its increased viability in difficult climatic conditions.
