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The apple tree is the most common and unpretentious fruit tree, which, with the development of breeding technologies, has been adapted for cultivation under any conditions. The developed hybrids are many times superior to the original varieties. Proof can be found in the Freshness apple tree, which is characterized by resistance to unfavorable climates and increased immunity to scab.
Apple tree Freshness is suitable for cultivation in intensive gardens
History of selection
The Freshness apple tree is considered relatively young, because the hybrid was born in the mid-70s. A group of scientists from the All-Russian Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops, which included E.N. Sedova, V.V. Zhdanova and Z.I. Serova, worked on developing a new variety.
Hybridization was carried out on the basis of the genetic material of the Antonovka-krasnobochka variety and the complex hybrid PR12T67 obtained from F2 M. Floribunda and the “American” Welsey.
In 1985, fruits appeared on the Fresh apple tree for the first time, and by 1994 the hybrid was classified as an elite hybrid and sent for state tests. The apple crop was added to the State Register in 2001.
Description of apple tree Freshness with photo
From the photo and description of the Fresh apple variety, you can understand that the fruit tree has many advantages, thanks to which it has become popular among gardeners in the central regions. The hybrid is valued for its unpretentiousness and resistance to scab, which significantly reduces crop care.
Wood appearance
Apple tree Freshness is a medium-sized fruit tree with a rapid growth rate. Despite the fact that the crop reaches a height of about 4 m, its crown is compact and round in shape. The main branches are curved, and the shoots are directed upward. The bark of the trunk and branches is smooth and brown. The lateral branches are geniculate, medium in thickness, their color is light brown, and there is slight pubescence at the tops.
On the stems you can see small lentils. The buds are conical, compressed and smooth. The leaf blades are located on long, slightly fleecy petioles. They are large in size, broadly ovoid in shape with crenate edges and curled tips, and rich green in color. The surface of the leaves is glossy, slightly concave, wrinkled with clearly visible veins.
Apple tree blossoms Freshness abundantly. The inflorescences form a thyroid type with 4-6 buds of a white-pink hue. The flowers are medium-sized, elongated saucer-shaped.
You can determine the freshness of an apple tree by the curves of the main branches growing at an acute angle
Description of fruits
The fruits of the apple tree are small when fresh, with an average weight of about 130-150 g. In rare cases, they can reach 200 g.Their shape is round, flattened, wide-ribbed. The skin is oily, with a glossy sheen. During technical maturity, the fruits have a greenish-yellow tint with a bright red streaked color on the side exposed to the sun. Subcutaneous dots are yellow.
The stalks on which the apples are located are straight with medium length and diameter. The funnel is free of rust. The cup is closed, the saucer is wide and deep, grooved in shape. In the center there are medium-sized closed chambers with dark brown seeds. The heart is quite large.
When cut, the pulp is very juicy, with a slight greenish tint, dense, fine-grained. When struck, the fruits split easily.
Fruits develop well in any climatic conditions
Characteristics of apple tree Freshness
The Freshness hybrid variety has a number of positive characteristics, which is why gardeners in the middle zone prefer this particular apple tree. It is unpretentious and produces a stable harvest every year.
Taste qualities
The taste of the fruit is good, the tasting score is 4.3 points. The aroma is weak, characteristic of apple crops.
Hybrid Freshness is classified as a table variety because of its sweet and sour taste, and not as a dessert variety.
Apple tree ripening time Freshness
Apple tree Freshness is a fast-growing variety, but according to its ripening period it is classified as late winter. Technical maturity occurs by mid-September, during which time you can begin to pick Fresh apples from the tree. Without falling, the fruits can remain on the branches until November.
After planting, the young tree begins to bear fruit in its ninth year. When grafted onto the main crop, the first apples can form as early as 3-4 years of age.
Productivity
Under normal growing conditions, one Fresh apple tree can produce up to 45 kg of fruit. The yield per hectare can be about 150 centners.
Apple tree winter hardiness Freshness
Apple tree Freshness has good winter hardiness. The variety easily tolerates temperature changes and winters well in the middle zone.
Apple tree pollinators Freshness
Self-pollinating ability of the apple tree Freshness is noted as low. In order for the crop to form abundant ovaries and produce high yields, it is necessary to have nearby pollinating trees. These include varieties of late apple trees.
Where is it grown?
According to reviews, the Fresh apple variety easily tolerates unfavorable weather conditions, so this hybrid is chosen for cultivation in the Moscow region and in the middle zone. It is also possible that the culture can be cultivated in the southern regions.
Disease resistance
The immunity of the apple tree Freshness is quite strong. The culture has good resistance to infection by fungal and bacterial diseases. The hybrid is especially valued precisely due to its high resistance to all five races of scab, which is inherent at the genetic level.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like all fruit trees, the Freshness apple tree has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Fresh apple fruits have an excellent presentation
Pros:
- a compact tree allows you to grow crops in a small area;
- winter hardiness;
- stable yield;
- high keeping quality of fruits;
- low maintenance requirements;
- good presentation;
- The fruits easily tolerate long-term transportation.
Minuses:
- needs fertilizing to maintain a stable harvest;
- Average taste, which makes the variety a table variety and not a dessert variety.
Apple tree planting Freshness
The timing of planting apple trees Freshness depends on weather conditions and the region. It is recommended to carry it out in the spring, approximately from the second half of April. Planting in open ground is also allowed in the fall, a month before the first frost.
Select a site that is illuminated and has deep groundwater. The planting pit is prepared in advance. They dig it up to a depth of 70 cm, with a diameter of about 1 m. At the bottom, a drainage layer is formed from medium crushed stone or expanded clay. Then the soil mixture is poured and the seedling is placed on top, straightening its roots. The remaining soil is filled in so that the root collar is located 5 cm above the ground surface. Lightly compact and thoroughly water the seedling.
To prevent rapid drying out of the soil, you can mulch the root zone.
Care instructions
All fruit trees consistently produce a good harvest if you follow the care recommendations, which include watering, fertilizing and pruning.
Watering must be done regularly, especially in hot weather. It is carried out from the beginning of the appearance of the first ovaries until the technical maturity of the fruit. A tree needs at least 10 liters of water.
The Freshness apple tree responds well to fertilizing. Particular attention should be paid to soil fertilization in the first 2-3 years after planting. At this time, nutritional compositions are added to the soil four times during the growing season:
- spring (mineral fertilizers);
- during the flowering period;
- after flowering (phosphorus and potassium compounds);
- in autumn (complex feeding);
Pruning is carried out to a greater extent to shape the crown in order to prevent thickening of the crown. Sanitary cleaning is carried out as necessary; as a rule, it consists of removing old, diseased and damaged branches.
Collection and storage
You can start harvesting fresh apple trees at the end of summer. Early to mid-September is still considered a favorable time. There is no need to completely remove the fruits from the tree, since they are not prone to shedding.
The keeping quality of the fruit is high. Without losing their original qualities, apples of the Fresh variety can be stored for up to six months, provided that the temperature regime and acceptable air humidity are observed.
Conclusion
Apple Tree Fresh is definitely worth the attention of novice gardeners. This hybrid is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, good yield and versatility of fruits. And thanks to its resistance to scab, the crop easily tolerates rainy summers.
Reviews from gardeners about the apple tree Freshness
