Content
Amateur gardeners successfully grow varieties and hybrids of apple trees in their garden plots, intended for cultivation on an industrial scale. Summer residents are attracted to them by the taste of fruits, their external presentability, large fruit and high yield. The Jonagold apple tree, which is deservedly popular all over the world, meets all these criteria.
History of selection
Jonagold is an apple tree originally from the USA, specifically from the Geneva breeding station in New York State. It was created in 1943, the result of crossing the very famous "industrial" varieties Jonathan (Jonathan) and Golden Delicious (Golden Delicious).
For some reason, at home, the achievement of local breeders was not immediately appreciated. Variety trials were completed by the mid-50s, but the Jonagold apple tree did not arouse much enthusiasm.But when it came to Europe in the 60s, it created a real sensation. The first “plantations” appeared in Belgium and Holland.
The apple tree was brought to the USSR in the mid-70s. However, all attempts to adapt it to a temperate and more severe climate did not yield results. It entered the domestic State Register of Breeding Achievements only in 2016, following an application submitted by JSC Sad-Giant.
Description of Jonagold apple tree with photo
Everyone probably knows what Jonagold apples look like - they are often found on store shelves. But the tree itself does not have any “unique” features; a non-specialist will not be able to “identify” it.
Wood appearance
The apple tree is a tree characterized by rapid growth rates and a powerful root system. The crown is not too thick, quite compact, and almost independently takes on a shape close to round-oval. The branches extend from the trunk almost at right angles. The leaves are large, noticeably elongated.
Depending on the type of rootstock, the height of the tree varies between 3-6 m
Description of fruits
The apples are one-dimensional, symmetrical, with a regular round-conical shape. The weight varies between 170-210 g, the average value is 185 g, the “record” is 240-250 g. Sometimes there is a slight “ribbing” of the surface.
The skin of apples is thin, but quite strong and elastic. This provides them with good shelf life and transportability.
The skin of apples is smooth to the touch; in the sun, a glossy sheen appears.
Characteristics of the variety
Jonagold apples are very tasty. But this is not the only characteristic that provides them with sustainable popularity.
Jonagold apple flavor
The pulp is yellowish-cream, fine-grained when cut, highly juicy, dense, even “rough”. Ripe fruits are characterized by a richly sweet taste with a slight balancing sourness and “wine” notes.
The taste qualities of Jonagold apples are assessed by professional tasters at 4.6-4.8 points. And in the Russian State Register, the maximum for this indicator is generally indicated - 5 points out of five possible. This is a variety from the dessert category.
The pulp has a strong aroma and a pronounced spicy-tart aftertaste.
Ripening time
In terms of ripening time, the Jonagold apple tree is one of the late-ripening ones. Fruits are harvested at the stage of technical ripeness, around the 20th of September. It takes 3-3.5 months to ripen, after which they can be eaten.
Productivity
When grown on an industrial scale, the yield of adult Jonagold apple trees is about 225 c/ha. Trees begin to bear fruit at the age of 3-4 years. The first harvest is small - 5-7 kg.
They reach their “peak” by the age of 12-15 years. An amateur gardener can count on 40-50 kg of apples per season. Professional farmers raise this figure to 60-70 kg. Weather conditions have little effect on harvest volume.
Jonagold apple trees bear fruit almost every year; resting seasons for them are extremely rare.
Frost resistance of Jonagold apple tree
The cold resistance of the Jonagold apple tree is below average. It can survive the winter without damage at approximately -10 °C. It reacts even worse to sudden changes in temperature, its strong drop, and sudden thaws.
Pollinators of the Jonagold apple tree
Jonagold is an apple tree from the triploid category. This means that without the presence of pollinating trees, 10-20% of flowers turn into fruit ovaries. The best “companions” for it are other well-known “industrial” varieties:
- Idared;
- Champion;
- Gloucester;
- Spartan;
- Melrose;
- Jonathan;
- Elstar.
Every Jonagold apple tree needs at least two pollinating trees. The distance between them is no more than 20 m.
Growing regions
According to the results of Russian variety trials, the Jonagold apple tree was recognized as the most suitable for planting in the North Caucasus and the Kaliningrad region. It most likely will not survive winter in other regions. Of the former Soviet republics, the Jonagold apple tree adapted best to Moldova and Ukraine.
Disease resistance
Resistance to fungal diseases in Jonagold apple trees also leaves much to be desired. They are especially often infected with scab and powdery mildew. Pests do not show any special “objective” interest in them, but in the event of a “mass” invasion of the site, these apple trees will not be ignored either.
Fruits affected by scab should not be eaten
Advantages and disadvantages
Breeders are willing to experiment with the Jonagold variety. Now there are more than a hundred of its “clones,” differing mainly in the color of the fruit.This is obvious from the description and photo of one of the most popular varieties - the Jonagold Decosta apple tree.
Jonagold apples are consumed mainly fresh.
Pros:
- comparative ease of care;
- precociousness;
- consistently high yields, practically independent of the vagaries of the weather;
- annual fruiting;
- high shelf life and transportability;
- external presentability, large size of apples;
- excellent taste of fruits, versatility of their purpose.
Minuses:
- relatively low cold resistance;
- insufficiently high resistance to fungal diseases;
- the need to plant pollinating apple trees nearby.
Planting a Jonagold apple tree
Both autumn and spring planting of the Jonagold apple tree is practiced. The climate in the regions where it is grown is quite mild, so it all depends on the preferences of the gardener.
The procedure follows a standard algorithm. However, it is impossible to get good harvests if you choose the wrong place to plant the Jonagold apple tree. It must meet the following criteria:
- good lighting;
- regular access to fresh air with protection from drafts and sharp gusts of wind;
- fertile, but at the same time relatively loose and “light” substrate;
- neutral or slightly acidic soil pH (5.5-6.5);
- absence of prerequisites for constant waterlogging of the soil.
In the shade, the yield of the Jonagold apple tree drops noticeably, the taste of the fruit deteriorates
The approximate dimensions of the planting hole are 50-60 cm in depth and diameter. They always dig it in advance and apply organic and mineral fertilizers in the required volumes. Then, depending on the chosen planting time, the hole is left to “stand” for 3-4 weeks or throughout the winter.
The main thing when planting is not to “bury” the root collar.
Jonagold apple tree care
Growing a Jonagold apple tree does not require particularly complex actions, deep knowledge and specific skills in the field of agronomy from the gardener. However, you will have to devote time and effort to caring for the tree regularly. It includes the following activities:
- Watering. The Jonagold apple tree has a fast growth rate, so it needs regular watering. In the absence of natural precipitation, the soil in the tree trunk circle is moistened every 15-20 days, in hot weather - weekly. In the first year after planting, seedlings are watered every 4-5 days. The approximate norm for mature trees is 70-80 liters of water, for seedlings - 10-15 liters.
- Loosening and weeding. If the tree trunk circle is not mulched, the soil is loosened the next day after each watering, while weeding out the weeds. Mulch allows you to avoid these activities and also water the apple tree less often.
- Feeding. During the first season, the tree receives enough nutrients from the planting hole. Further, the Jonagold apple tree requires regular feeding: abundant annual fruiting greatly depletes it. Fertilizers are applied according to the standard scheme: nitrogen and humus at the beginning of the active growing season, complex products for fruit trees before and after flowering, phosphorus and potassium in preparation for winter.
- Trimming. The crown of the Jonagold apple tree is not particularly dense, so it is quite possible to limit yourself to sanitary pruning twice a year. It is also recommended in the fall to get rid of the least well-placed branches - deformed, intertwined, thickening the crown, directed downwards.
- Preparing for winter.It should not be neglected even in regions with a mild climate. It is imperative to carry out moisture-recharging irrigation, clear the trunk circle of debris, renew the layer of mulch, and whitewash and “insulate” the base of the trunk.
- Preventive treatments. During the season, they are carried out regularly, once every 2-3 weeks, especially if weather conditions favor the activation of pathogens. Folk remedies are quite suitable for prevention; at the first suspicious symptoms, biological products and agrochemicals are used.
It is recommended to feed the Jonagold apple tree with specialized fertilizers with a balanced composition
Collection and storage periods
Apples are collected starting from the 20th of September. However, they reach consumer maturity only in December. Therefore, Jonagold is a winter apple tree.
To preserve the harvest for as long as possible, you need to consider the following nuances:
- choose a dry day to collect fruits;
- remove apples by hand, along with the stalks;
- use air-permeable containers for storage;
- “isolate” each fruit, for example, by wrapping it in paper, sprinkled with sawdust, shavings;
- provide optimal conditions.
Before storing, you need to carefully sort out the fruits.
Conclusion
Jonagold apple tree is a popular “industrial” variety all over the world.When grown on personal plots, it also performs well: wide distribution in Russia is prevented only by insufficient frost resistance. Under suitable conditions, apples have outstanding taste and presentation.
Reviews from gardeners about the Jonagold apple tree
It’s a pity that in the Kursk region there are weather changes, sometimes 10-15 degrees below zero, sometimes 2-3, sometimes even 0. But there are also 20 degrees and 25 for 3-4 days. This is what doesn’t make me happy. I’m only going to plant seedlings for the first time at the end of April and beginning of May.