The climatic conditions of the Moscow region are characterized by relatively low winter temperatures, as well as rainy and cool summer weather. Such a microclimate in the region often causes freezing and the development of fungal and viral diseases that threaten many plants, including apple trees. Problems with growing these fruit trees can only be avoided if you choose resistant varieties with excellent genetic immunity. We will try to talk about them in detail later in the article.
How to choose an apple tree variety
Variety apple trees should be selected taking into account its agrotechnical characteristics, yield and taste characteristics of the fruit. An important indicator is the ripening period of apples. It is possible to objectively evaluate all the qualities of a particular variety only by comparing several types of crops. In our article we will describe the best varieties apple trees for the Moscow region, classifying all the variety of options according to ripening terms fruit.
Summer varieties
Early, summer apples differ from later types of the crop in their delicate pulp and special sweetness and aroma. They are usually eaten fresh and are not stored for long. The taste of such fruits is bright and rich. Summer apples grown on your own plot are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, which is why they are so desirable and healthy.
"Grushovka Moskovskaya"
A special feature of this variety is its extremely high level of resistance to freezing, which makes it possible to grow apples not only in the Moscow region, but even in the northernmost regions of the country. It is worth noting that the Grushovka Moskovskaya variety does not have high resistance to diseases, which means that when growing it, you should take preventive measures to protect fruit trees.
Moscow Grushovka apples are small in size, weighing up to 100 g. Their color is green-yellow with a slight crimson blush. Ripe fruits are sweet and exude a pleasant apple aroma. The skin of the fruit is covered with a thin layer of wax, which makes the fruit a little slippery. The apple pulp is juicy, but when overripe it becomes a little drier. When bitten, the Grushovka fruits produce a characteristic crunch. See apples of this variety and evaluate their external qualities by looking at the photo:
"Lungwort"
The proposed apple variety is well known to many experienced gardeners. Its distinctive feature is the sweet taste and aroma of honey. The first fruits of “Lungwort” ripen 4-5 years after planting the seedling. During the first 10 years, exceptionally high yields are observed, but, unfortunately, in the subsequent period this figure decreases.
Lungwort apples ripen at the end of summer.Their mass is small and their color is greenish-yellow. Scarlet stripes can be seen on the surface of the fruit. It is impossible to store “Medunitsa” summer apples fresh for a long time, as they quickly lose their taste and external qualities. For this reason, it is recommended that after harvesting, care should be taken to process it as quickly as possible.
"Dessert Isaev"
The proposed apple variety is highly resistant to freezing and a number of diseases, including scab. Young apple tree seedlings begin to bear fruit already in the 4th year of cultivation. Medium-sized trees are very productive, but with a large volume of fruiting, the quality of the fruit may decrease. To prevent the apples from becoming smaller, it is recommended to annually trim the thin branches of the lush crown.
“Dessert Isaev” apples, with an average weight of 120-130 g, have a round shape and are yellow in color with a blurred red blush. The fruit pulp is fine-grained, juicy with a pleasant floral aroma and pleasant sweetness.
Not only the listed varieties are well suited for the conditions of the Moscow region, but also some long-known types of apple trees. For example, in cool climates, early “Antonovka”, “Korobovka”, “Belyi Naliv”, “Melba” and some other varieties grow and bear fruit remarkably well. The Cypress apple tree variety may be of interest to many gardeners, since it allows you to get a harvest at the earliest possible date.
Autumn apple varieties
For Moscow Region farmers, it is recommended to grow about 17 good varieties of apple trees with a medium (autumn) ripening period. We will try to describe some of them in detail:
"Scarlet Anise"
A wonderful, high-yielding variety bears fruit in the amount of 200-300 kg of apples from one mature tree. The crop bears fruit annually and has high winter hardiness. When growing fruit tree especially demanding for regular and abundant watering. The variety's resistance to diseases is high; only powdery mildew can pose a threat to it.
Scarlet Anise apples are medium in size and sometimes have slight ribbing on their rounded surface. The color of the fruit is light green with a yellowish tint. A dense red blush and a light waxy coating are observed over the entire surface of the fruit.
The apple pulp is fine-grained, sweet and sour, tender. Ripe fruits can be stored for a month in the refrigerator or in a cool cellar.
"Cinnamon Striped"
This apple variety has been known to gardeners since 1868. Already at that time, its high resistance to freezing and various diseases was noted. The tall tree bears fruit in large numbers of apples, weighing up to 100 g. They ripen in early autumn or late summer. The shape of the fruit is flat-round or slightly ribbed, the surface is smooth.
The fruit pulp is pinkish, medium juicy. The taste clearly shows sweetness and sourness, as well as some bitterness, similar to cinnamon, in the aroma.
"Autumn Joy"
The “Autumn Joy” variety is zoned in the central region and can be successfully grown in the conditions of the Moscow region. The first fruiting of the apple tree is observed 4-5 years after planting. The winter hardiness and resistance of the apple tree to diseases is average. Apples ripen in late August–early September.
The trees are vigorous with a dense crown. They require regular formation.On their long and thin branches, they form a large number of sweet apples, weighing 110-130 g each. The color of the fruit is golden-green with a bright red blush and numerous gray subcutaneous spots.
The apple pulp is tender and juicy. It contains more than 10% sugar and very little acid. A pleasant light aroma complements the taste harmony of the fruit. Additional information about the apple tree and the taste of the fruit can be emphasized from the video:
Choosing variety of autumn apples for the Moscow region, you should not give up such apple trees as “Brusnichnoe”, “Zhigulevskoe”, “Chosen One”, “Uslada”, “Strifel”. Some of these varieties have long been known to gardeners, and some are new. Among the new varieties it is also worth highlighting "Kerr". This apple tree is considered the best large-fruited Chinese apple tree with an excellent, harmonious taste of the fruit.
Late-ripening, winter varieties
Late-ripening apples are remarkably stored, maintaining their quality until the arrival of spring and even until the next fruiting season. The taste and external characteristics of such varieties are different and can satisfy the needs of every taster.
"Alesya"
One of the best late-ripening varieties. Its harvest can be stored on tree branches until December, and then stored in special conditions for another 6-7 months. The yield of the crop is high, it can exceed 300 kg per tree.
The Alesya tree itself is low-growing and spreading. It begins to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting. The culture is distinguished by its high frost resistance and immunity to scab.
The weight of “Alesya” fruits rarely exceeds 200 g, the shape is flat-round. The color of the fruit is bright red, slightly blurred. The apple pulp is juicy, sweet with a slight sourness.Its taste was rated by experts at 4.4 points out of 5 possible.
"Moscow later"
The Moscow Later apple variety was obtained in 1961 and, after careful, lengthy testing, was zoned for the Moscow region and the entire Central region of the country. It is resistant to freezing and scab. A self-pollinating apple tree begins to bear fruit at 6-7 years.
Fruit ripeness begins in early October. The harvest collected during this period can be stored until the onset of the new fruiting season. At the same time, fruits reach full ripeness only by mid-November.
The fruits of the “Moscow later” variety are quite large, weighing from 200 to 250 g. Their shape is round and the surface is smooth. The skin of apples is colored light yellow, but a gentle blush is evenly distributed over its entire surface. The taste of the fruit is high. Their flesh is tender, fine-grained, white, dense. The sugar content is 11%, but there is more than enough acid in the pulp: 8.8%.
"Russian"
The medium-sized apple tree “Rossiyanka” has a lush crown and a round shape. Apples of this variety ripen at the end of September. The culture is resistant to scab and low temperatures.
“Rossiyanka” apples are large. Their color is greenish-yellow, the flesh is sugary and juicy. The fruits have excellent keeping quality and can be stored until April.
Among all the existing late-ripening varieties, such species as “Antonovka ordinary”, “Belorusskoe raspberry”, “Komsomolets”, “Mirnoe”, “Studentskoe” are also suitable for the Moscow region. These varieties of apple trees have been tested by time and have already earned many positive comments and reviews from farmers.Among the new varieties, apple trees “Butuz”, “Suvorovets”, “Dolgo”, “Krasa Sverdlovskaya” are distinguished by their high resistance to adverse weather conditions. These varieties are just being tested, but have already proven themselves to be the best.
Conclusion
The climate of the Moscow region is not particularly mild, so before choosing a variety you need to carefully study its characteristics and, in particular, its resistance to freezing, fungi and viruses. From a certain list of varieties, you can select suitable fruit trees that will produce a harvest of the desired quality in a certain period of time. Selection of seedlings taking into account all the main parameters will allow you to successfully grow a good harvest of fruit in the given conditions. A “blind” purchase of a plant will certainly not be successful.
