Content
The Spartan apple tree was bred in the 30s of the twentieth century and became widespread in many countries. Its distinctive feature is the fruits are dark red in color and have good taste. The variety is late, and the fruits have a long shelf life. The following is a description of the variety apple trees Spartan, photos, reviews.
Description of the variety
Spartan is a winter variety of apple tree. The country of origin of the variety is Canada, but it is grown in the Moscow region, Central and Central Black Earth regions of Russia. In the middle zone, the Spartan variety is rare because it has low frost resistance.
Wood appearance
The Spartan apple tree is a tree 3 m high with a rounded crown. The central conductor (the section of the trunk above the first shoots) grows at an angle.
The branches have a pronounced burgundy color. The leaves are distinguished by their dark green color, rounded shape and raised plate.
The Spartan apple tree is distinguished by its abundant flowering. The variety is self-pollinating, but is suitable for pollinating other varieties of apple trees.
Fruit characteristics
Apples of the Spartan variety meet the following characteristics:
- medium sizes;
- rounded, slightly flattened shape;
- fruit weight is about 120 g;
- bright red blush against a yellowish background;
- matte skin, shimmering blue;
- juicy, firm and snow-white pulp;
- sweet taste, sometimes a slight sourness is felt.
The chemical composition of the fruit includes:
- sugar content – 10.6%;
- titratable acids responsible for acidity – 0.32%;
- ascorbic acid – 4.6 mg per 100 g of pulp;
- pectin substances – 11.1%.
Productivity of the variety
You can harvest the Spartan apple tree in the third year after planting. Depending on the care and age of the tree, from 15 apples are removed from it. From a tree older than 10 years, 50-100 kg of fruits are obtained.
The Spartan apple variety is suitable for winter storage. The harvest can be harvested at the end of September, when the fruits acquire a bright red color. They are easy to pick from the branches, some apples even begin to fall off.
It is recommended to collect fruits in dry and clear weather at an air temperature of about +10 degrees. Apples should be stored at temperatures from 0 to +4 degrees. Shelf life is up to 7 months.
In closed containers the shelf life increases. By December, the fruits acquire a richer and sweeter taste.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Spartan apple tree variety is valued for the following advantages:
- high productivity;
- good taste;
- content of nutrients;
- ability to withstand long-term transportation and storage;
- resistance to diseases.
The disadvantages of Spartan apple trees are:
- low winter hardiness (requires frost protection);
- in the absence of pruning and with age, the fruits become smaller.
Landing Features
apple tree It is recommended to purchase Spartan at a gardening center or nursery. When choosing a seedling, you should pay attention to its appearance. The plant should not show signs of damage or mold. Planting is carried out on a prepared area after forming a hole and applying fertilizer.
Choosing a seedling and place for planting
The best time to plant a Spartan apple tree is spring. If you plant a plant in the fall, there is a high probability of it freezing and dying. In the Moscow region, work is carried out at the end of March or beginning of April.
A seedling is selected with a healthy root system, without growths or damage. The bark of the annual plant is dark cherry in color and the trunk has no branches.
For planting, choose a sunny place, protected from the wind. The groundwater level is at least one meter.
The soil for the tree must be fertile, with good moisture and air permeability. The composition of clay soil is improved by adding coarse sand and peat. Sandy soil is fertilized with peat, humus and compost.
It is recommended to begin preparations in the fall. The planting site is dug up and fertilizers are applied:
- turf - 3 buckets;
- humus – 5 kg;
- superphosphate – 100 g;
- wood ash – 80 g.
A hole measuring 0.5 x 0.5 m and a depth of 0.6 m is prepared for planting. The hole is filled with the prepared mixture, a peg is driven in and covered with special material until spring.
Boarding order
Immediately before planting, you need to place the roots of the seedling in warm water for a couple of days. The plant is placed in the middle of the hole and its roots are straightened.The root collar (the place where the bark changes color to dark brown) is located 5 cm above ground level.
When filling the apple tree with soil, you need to shake it slightly to fill the voids between the roots. Then the soil is trampled down and the plant is watered abundantly.
A small earthen bank with a diameter of about a meter is poured around the tree. If the soil begins to settle, more soil should be added. The apple tree is tied to a support.
Features of care
The growth of the apple tree and its productivity depend on proper care. Young garden trees require special attention. An apple orchard needs to be watered, fertilized and pruned regularly.
Watering the apple tree
The intensity of watering of the Spartan variety depends on weather conditions and the age of the plant. A young apple tree requires more water, so moisture is added every week.
You can water the apple tree along special furrows between the rows of plantings. They need to be dug to a depth of 10 cm around the circumference in accordance with the long side shoots.
Another method of watering is sprinkling, when moisture arrives evenly in the form of drops. The soil should be wet to a depth of 0.7 m.
One-year-old plants need 2 buckets of water, two-year-old plants need 4 buckets. Mature trees need up to 8 buckets.
Fertilizing the apple tree
Fertilizing of the Spartan variety is carried out in several stages:
- When the buds open, loosen the soil with the addition of nitroammophoska (30 g) and humus.
- When the buds begin to form, an infusion based on mullein or chicken droppings is added to the soil under the apple tree.
- After flowering ends, a complex fertilizer is prepared: 8 liters of water, 0.25 kg of nitroammophosphate, 25 g of potassium sulphide, 20 g of dry sodium humate. The resulting solution is watered over the apple tree.
- When the fruits ripen, the apple orchard is watered with fertilizer obtained from 8 liters of water, 35 g of nitroammophosphate and 10 g of humate.
- After harvesting the fruits, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfide are added to the soil.
Tree pruning
The first pruning is performed the next year after planting the apple tree. For an annual tree, the height of the trunk should be 0.5 m. 6 buds are left above it, and the top is cut off by 10 cm. The crown is formed taking into account the fact that the branches of the apple tree grow sideways.
Sanitary pruning is carried out twice a year. Dry and damaged branches must be removed. The sections are covered with garden varnish.
Shelter for the winter
The Spartan apple tree requires shelter for the winter. To do this, it is watered abundantly about a month before the cold snap. The soil under the tree is dug up and a layer of peat is applied on top.
The trunk should be wrapped in spruce branches or burlap. Young trees can be tilted towards the ground and covered with a wooden box. When snow falls, a snowdrift is made around the Spartan apple tree. In spring, the shelter is removed.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
The Spartan variety is suitable for growing in regions with mild winters. Its apples have a rich red color, medium size and excellent taste.
For planting apple trees, choose a well-lit place. The soil and seedling are pre-prepared. The tree requires care in the form of watering, fertilizing and pruning old branches.
