Content
Red Chief apple tree is one of the most famous varieties, the advantages of which are large fruit, excellent appearance and pleasant taste. The culture is quite winter-hardy, which allows it to be grown in the southern regions and in the Black Earth Region. Subject to proper agricultural practices and shelter for the winter, it can be cultivated in the middle zone.
History of selection
Red Chief is an apple variety popular in Russia and many other countries. There are several versions regarding its origin. Some sources say that the culture appeared in the state of Virginia (USA), and this happened after accidentally sowing the seeds of a hybrid. Previously, it was obtained from crossing the varieties Grims Golden and Golden Reinet.
According to other sources, Red Chief occurred as a result of the hybridization of the Wagner and Jonathan varieties. They also became the predecessors of the famous Idared variety.
The Red Chief apple tree was first demonstrated to the gardening community in 1914. At the same time, the crop was registered in the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation in 2016. The company “Giant Garden” acts as the applicant and also the originator. The Red Chief apple tree passed successful tests, after which it was approved for cultivation in the south of Russia, as well as in the Black Earth Region.
Description and characteristics of the Red Chief apple tree
The variety has been known for a long time, so its description is presented in detail. The tree is tall, with a not too spreading crown. The crop is characterized by good yield and other valuable advantages.
Wood appearance
The Red Chief apple tree reaches a height of 6-7 m. The tree is of medium or weak vigor. The crown has a narrow pyramidal shape, moderately thickened. The skeletal branches are curved, grow compactly, and diverge almost at right angles. Every year they grow by 5-7 cm. There are many ringlets, and it is on them that the harvest is formed. The internodes of the shoots are short, the bark is greenish-brown. Lentils are clearly visible, they are small in size, light in color and slightly convex.
The tree produces a lot of ringlets, the yield is consistently high
The foliage of the Red Chief apple tree is quite good. The leaf blades are green, medium in size, and have pointed apices. The base is arc-shaped, the edges are serrated and crenate. The surface is matte, without wrinkles, the edges are slightly raised. The petioles are long, thin, the stipule is subulate.
Description of fruits
Red Chief apples are large, one-dimensional, reaching 170-200 g in weight, less often up to 300-400 g. The shape is oblong-conical, the appearance is very attractive, standard. The ribbing is pronounced. The skin is dense, but not tough. The surface is smooth, glossy, the color is dark red, the color is rich.
A dense coating of wax is noticeable on the surface of the fruit. The funnel is small, blunt-conical, without rust. Subcutaneous dots are light in color, numerous, not very large in size. The saucer is not too wide and deep. Protruding hills are noticeable along the edges of the peri-cup depression. The cups themselves are large, semi-open. Subcupal tubes are conical, deep.
The description of the Red Chief apple tree variety states that it bears fruits with green flesh, while the apples themselves are dark red. The stalks are short and thick, curved. The seed chambers are oblong and small in size. The seeds are dark brown in color.
Red Chief apple flavor
The taste of Red Chief apples is excellent, with pronounced sweetness. The aroma is weak. Some freshness is noticeable. At tasting, the variety consistently receives high marks - 4.7-4.8 points out of 5. The density of the pulp is medium, pleasant, and the juiciness is moderate.
Chemical composition of pulp (per 100 g raw):
- total share of dry matter – about 14%;
- total share of sugars – more than 10.5%
- total acidity – 0.4%
- vitamin C content – 5.5 mg per 100 g.
When and how does it bloom
The Red Chief apple tree blooms from mid-May to early June. But if the spring is late and cool, the dates may shift by 1-2 weeks. The flowers are white and pink, numerous.
Red Chief apple pollinators
The variety is not self-fertile, so it needs pollinators with similar flowering periods. Among the suitable representatives are Gloucester and Elstar.
Golden Delicious is one of the best pollinators for the Red Chief variety
What year does the Red Chief apple tree bear fruit?
Fruiting begins already in the second or third year after planting. But this can be achieved provided that they are grown on rootstocks of weak to moderate vigor.On vigorous-growing specimens, the harvest will need to wait longer.
Productivity
The yield of the Red Chief variety is quite high. From one mature tree you can harvest 120-150 kg of marketable fruits, for industrial cultivation - 380 c/ha. In the first years, young apple trees produce 30-50 kg. The productive period lasts more than 25 years.
Frost resistance of the Red Chief apple tree
The winter hardiness of this variety is average; mature trees overwinter at temperatures as low as -25 degrees. Therefore, the crop is mainly cultivated in the south of Russia and in the Black Earth regions. But with proper agricultural technology, including careful insulation for the winter, you can try growing it in cold regions. There is data on cultivation in the Novosibirsk region. But due to lack of sun, the taste may deteriorate.
Disease resistance
The Red Chief variety is quite resistant to various diseases and pests (according to the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation). Gardeners note good immunity to fire blight and powdery mildew, but poor resistance to such pathologies: scab, subcutaneous spotting, glassiness (especially often observed when crops are harvested later than expected), various types of rot.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Red Chief apple tree has many tangible advantages over other varieties. It bears large fruits of standard appearance with excellent taste. The yield is high, so trees can be grown both on private farms and on farms.
The fruits are large, approximately the same size
Pros:
- pleasant taste;
- keeping quality;
- transportability;
- productive period more than 25 years.
Minuses:
- the variety is not self-fertile;
- it is advisable to grow only in the south and in the Black Earth region;
- immunity to not all diseases;
- average resistance to drought.
Planting Red Chief apple tree seedlings
The main time for planting Red Chief apple trees is in September or early October, 2-3 weeks before the first frost. If it is missed, it can be planted in the second half of April. When landing, proceed as follows:
- Dig holes measuring 70x70 cm at a distance of 4 m.
- Add a layer of pebbles or other small stones.
- Lay fertile soil.
- Place the seedling in the center and straighten the roots.
- Compact the soil so that the root collar remains 5-7 cm above the surface.
- Water and mulch.
Rules of care
To grow a healthy and productive Red Chief apple tree in the Moscow region and other regions, summer residents in their reviews recommend adhering to the following care rules:
- Watering should be regular, especially during drought. Adult trees are given up to 6-8 buckets of water, young trees - 2-4.
- Fertilizers are applied from the second year of planting. In the spring they give nitrogen compounds, during the flowering period and at the fruiting stage - potassium phosphate compounds. It is recommended to alternate complex mineral fertilizers with organic ones.
- Periodically, the tree trunk circle is loosened and weeded.
- Sanitary and formative pruning is done annually.
To get a good harvest, you need to regularly water and feed apple trees.
Disease and pest control
The variety has average immunity. The culture may suffer from fungal and bacterial infections. Therefore, for treatment and prevention, you will need to carry out several treatments using fungicides:
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Skor" and others.
Trees need to be inspected periodically. If aphids, leaf rollers and other insects are detected, they are treated with insecticides:
- "Fufanon";
- "Agravertine";
- "Match";
- "Ephoria" and others.
Collection and storage
In terms of ripening time, the Red Chief variety belongs to the autumn apple trees (some sources indicate that this is a winter crop). The harvest begins in the second half of September, often in early October. Fruiting lasts for three weeks, the dark red fruits of the Red Chief apple tree ripen unevenly. Therefore, it is necessary to collect in several approaches. Apples are placed in wooden boxes or other containers and stored in a cellar or other room.
Keeping quality is good: up to eight months, subject to storage conditions:
- temperature +2-6 degrees;
- humidity 60-70%;
- air ventilation;
- darkness.
The transportability of the fruits is also very good, so they can be transported over long distances to the place of sale or processing.
If conditions are violated, the core may become loose.
During fruiting, it is better to treat with biological preparations.
During fruiting, it is better to treat with biological preparations.
Conclusion
The Red Chief apple tree is quite suitable for growing in different regions of Russia. The crop can be cultivated both for personal use and for commercial purposes. Produces consistently high yields for 25 years, marketable fruits, extremely shelf-stable and very tasty. A description of the Red Chief apple variety is also presented in the video.
