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The Belorussian Raspberry apple tree is one of the best varieties, suitable for growing in the middle zone and northern regions. Produces attractive, fairly large fruits with a characteristic blush. Winter apples last well until April.
History of origin
The Belorusskoye Raspberry variety was bred in Belarus. The authors are Kovalenko G.K. and Kovalenko V.G. They took the Lavfam variety as a basis, and also used the popular Antonovka ordinary variety. The culture was included in the register of the Republic of Belarus in 1991.
To date, it is not listed in the Russian state register, but it is successfully grown in different regions, including in the middle zone. Recommended for cultivation on private farms. According to reviews, it takes root quite well even in the conditions of the Novgorod region.
Description of the Belarusian raspberry apple tree
The description of the variety contains the main characteristics of the tree and fruit.The most important parameters are presented below.
Crown
The tree is of medium height, reaches 3-5 m. The crown is rounded, raised, the density of shoot growth is average. The skeletal branches are quite strong and grow straight. The surface is grayish-brown. The main branches extend 40 degrees from the trunk, but grow together very firmly.
The shoots of the apple tree of the Belarusian crimson variety are geniculate, covered with a pubescent layer, and colored in a rich burgundy shade. The color is dark cherry. The lentils are small, light in color, and there are only a few of them. The leaves are large, rich dark green, leathery. The surface is glossy and shines in the sun. The shape is ovoid, symmetrical, the nose is twisted.
The leaf blades of the Belarusian crimson apple tree bend strongly along the central veins. Moreover, their edges are raised and wavy. Notches are noticeable, the teeth have a smoothed shape. The base of the plate is rounded. The petioles are small, rather thick, also burgundy in color. The buds are small, oval in shape, pressed against the shoot. The harvest ripens on twigs, and apples are also collected from rings. This feature should be taken into account when pruning.
Description of fruits
The fruits of the Belorusskoye Raspberry apple tree are flat-round in shape, less often simply round, and have slight ribbing. The weight is average, mostly 100-150 g, some specimens reach 250 g. The funnels are narrow, of small depth, rarely covered with rusty marks. The saucer is not too wide and shallow, and has mild folding.
Apples are bright red
The calyxes of the fruits of the Belarusian raspberry apple tree are small, mostly closed. The subcup tubes are cone-shaped and connected to the hearts.The hearts themselves are small, resemble an onion in appearance, and are located in the upper region of the apple.
The seed chambers are small, closed type, the color of the seeds is rich brown. The stalks are short, no longer than funnels. They are quite powerful, with thickening at the point of attachment to the branches. The skin of apples is smooth, thin and quite durable and does not crack.
In appearance, the fruits of the Belorusskoye Raspberry apple tree are attractive and can be used for sale. The predominant color is light green with a crimson striped-blurred blush covering a significant part of the surface. A waxy coating is also noticeable, its shade is blue-gray. Subcutaneous dots are light in color, almost invisible, appear in small quantities.
Characteristics of the variety
Among the characteristics of the Belarusian Raspberry apple tree variety, the greatest interest is taste, ripening time and yield. The main parameters are described below.
Taste qualities
The taste of the fruits of the Belarusian Raspberry apple tree is quite good. There is a noticeable balance of sour and sweet, as well as a fruity aroma. Tasting scores are consistently high and range from 4.0 to 4.2 points.
The pulp of Belarusian Raspberry apples is quite juicy, white or cream-colored when cut, medium density, with a fine-grained consistency. It has a pleasant crunch when bitten. It contains (per 100 g):
- total sugar content more than 10%
- acids about 0.5%;
- vitamin C – more than 18 mg per 100 g;
- P-active compounds – not less than 270 mg per 100 g.
Ripening time
The Belarusian raspberry apple tree bears fruit early - it begins already 3-4 years after planting. In terms of ripening time, the variety is classified as late - the fruits are harvested from late September to mid-August. It is a winter crop and can be stored for several months until spring.
The fruits ripen by early October
Productivity
The crop yield is average. From one mature tree you can collect up to 40 kg. If the weather worsens, diseases and other unfavorable factors appear, the figure may drop to 15-20 kg. Up to 200-300 centners are collected from each hectare.
After 20-25 years, the indicator decreases - old trees are gradually replaced by new ones.
Frost resistance of the Belarusian raspberry apple tree
The apple tree variety is winter-hardy - it can withstand up to -30 degrees. Therefore, in most regions it can be grown without shelter. However, mulching is almost always necessary (except in the southern regions).
Pollinators
The Belarusian crimson apple tree is not self-pollinating. Therefore, to obtain a harvest, you will definitely need to plant pollinators with the same flowering periods:
- Belarusian sweet;
- Minsk;
- Lovefam;
- Antonovka;
- Welsey.
Growing regions
Due to its high winter hardiness, the Belarusian raspberry apple tree can be grown in different regions:
- middle lane;
- Northwest;
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- Ural.
You can try cultivating it in Siberia, the Far East and the northern regions. But in these areas they must provide shelter for the winter.
Disease resistance
Belarusian raspberry is not resistant to fungal diseases and pests. Therefore, the tree needs annual preventive treatments to protect against various types of rot, rust, and powdery mildew.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Belarusian raspberry variety of apple tree is valued for the good taste of the fruits, their appearance and size, as well as for their high winter hardiness. The culture is unpretentious, so even inexperienced gardeners can cope with cultivation.
The fruits are large, marketable
Pros:
- pleasant taste;
- large fruit;
- good keeping quality and transportability;
- high winter hardiness;
- the crown is compact, so it does not take up much space;
- The taste of apples only improves as they are stored.
Minuses:
- the variety is incapable of self-pollination - pollinators are needed;
- productivity is not very high;
- immunity to fungal diseases is average.
Planting an apple tree Belorussian raspberry
Seedlings are purchased from trusted nurseries. Planting is planned for spring (early April) or autumn (early October). The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Prepare the area (dig up, fertilize).
- Mark several holes with a depth of up to 80 cm and a diameter of up to 100 cm at intervals of 4 m.
- Spread the roots of the seedlings and plant in the center.
- Sprinkle with soil so that the neck goes 5-8 cm.
- Tie to a pre-installed peg.
Next, the Belarusian Raspberry apple tree seedling is watered and mulched with hay, sawdust, and straw.
How to care
Caring for an apple tree is simple, it comes down to a few rules:
- watering twice a month;
- applying fertilizers 2-3 times per season (nitrogen compounds in the spring, superphosphate and potassium sulfate during the formation of buds and flowering);
- loosening, weeding;
- mulching for the winter;
- regular spring pruning for sanitary purposes and to form the crown.
Collection and storage
The apple harvest is planned for the end of September - the first half of October. Fruits should be harvested in dry weather without rain. They are sorted and placed in wooden boxes and other containers.
You can store the fruits of the Belarusian raspberry apple tree at a temperature of about +5 degrees Celsius in a dark and humid place (up to 90%). Since it is a winter variety, the apples are stored until next spring. If the harvest is large, it can be used to make compotes, jam and preserves.
The fruits are shelf-stable and their taste improves during storage.
Conclusion
The Belarusian crimson apple tree acclimatizes well in different areas. The tree is unpretentious, but at the same time needs pollinators. To ensure stable yields, it is recommended to regularly water and fertilize, as well as carry out preventive treatments against diseases.
Reviews from gardeners about the Belarusian raspberry apple tree
