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Apples are traditionally the most common fruit in Russia, as these fruit trees are able to grow in the most unfavorable conditions and withstand harsh Russian winters. To date, the number of varieties of apple trees in the world has exceeded 10 thousand - and from this amazing variety it is not always easy to choose a variety that is suitable for your site and, in terms of numerous indicators, satisfies your individual needs. After all, each variety necessarily has its own pros and cons.
In recent years, Idared apples can most often be found in modern supermarkets. These beautiful apples have long been popular in industrial fruit growing due to their attractive presentation and long shelf life. Does it make sense to have this variety on your property? What characteristics of the apple tree variety Idared, and what are its advantages and disadvantages? All these questions will be answered in the article.
History of the Idared variety
Almost 100 years ago, back in 1935, American scientist-breeders from the state of Idaho crossed two popular apple tree varieties in America, Jonathan and Wagner. As a result of this crossing, a new variety of apple tree appeared, which was called Idared.
Over the course of many decades, the variety was successfully adapted in European countries and already appeared in the territory of the former USSR in the post-war 60s. It began to be especially actively cultivated in industrial and private gardens of Ukraine and in the steppe zone of Russia. On semi-dwarf rootstocks Apple tree Idared also penetrated into the territory of the Moscow region and adjacent areas.
Description of the variety
Apple trees of the Idared variety are vigorous. They are distinguished by particularly rapid and significant growth in the first years of life. Thus, by the age of 10 years, trees can reach sizes of 3.5 meters and above. The crown has more of a ball shape, sometimes a wide oval, but it tends to thicken, so it requires regular pruning. The branches of the main part of the crown grow upward at an angle of 45°, but can vary depending on the light and other growth conditions from 35° to 80°.
The bark of the trees is brownish-gray in color and smooth to the touch. Fruit formations are distributed quite evenly along the length of the branches; bareness is not typical for this variety. The ability to shoot is average. The awakening of the kidneys is also average. The shoots themselves have the same color as the main trunk, are medium in thickness, straight, slightly geniculate, rounded in cross-section, with slightly expressed hairiness.
Fruiting is of a mixed type; ringlets, fruit twigs and annual growths are formed in approximately equal proportions. The ringlets retain 2-3 apples at the time of harvest. And in especially fruitful years, 2-3-year-old branches form small but dense garlands of fruits, which serve as a real decoration for the apple tree.
Lentils are bright, slightly elongated. The leaves can be of various shapes, fleecy below, with well-defined tips and a glossy upper leaf blade. They sit on thin petioles.
Apple trees of the Idared variety bloom for quite a long time in late April - early May. In case of late frosts, flowers may freeze, which will inevitably affect the yield of the current year. The flowers are saucer-shaped and light pink. The pollen itself is characterized by high viability - up to 87%. But in the case of natural self-pollination, only about 2% of the fruits can set.
Therefore, when planting Idared apple trees, you should immediately consider planting pollinator varieties in close proximity. For the Idared apple tree, the best pollinators are:
- Red Delicious;
- Wagner;
- Gloucester;
- Ruby Dooks;
- Rusavka;
- Florina;
- Kuban spur.
Idared apple trees are not distinguished by early fruiting - on an ordinary medium-sized rootstock, the first fruits appear only in the fifth or sixth year of the tree’s life. If you use dwarf rootstocks, you will not have to wait so long for the first fruits to appear; already in the second or third year you can taste the first apples. But keep in mind that caring for apple trees on dwarf rootstocks is quite labor-intensive, and the lifespan of such trees is usually limited to 12-15 years at best.
In terms of ripening time, the Idared apple tree is a winter variety. Apples of this variety are harvested in late September – early October.Under favorable storage conditions, for example, in a cellar with good ventilation, apples can be stored until March-April.
The usual consumption period for these apples starts from late January – February. The variety is resistant to brown spot, but during storage it can occasionally be affected by subcutaneous spot.
Thanks to the strong adhesion of the cuttings to the fruits, apples have the ability to hang on the branches for a long time, which limits carrion.
The fruits are characterized by a high level of marketability and adaptability to transportation, which makes them most suitable for growing for commercial purposes.
The Idared apple variety is characterized by regular fruiting and high yields. Average figures are 400 c/ha and can reach up to 500 c/ha in productive years. In terms of one tree, a young apple tree can produce up to 30 kg of apples, and for adult apple trees figures equal to 90 kg of fruit per tree are quite realistic.
The Idared apple tree is moderately resistant to powdery mildew and scab. The trees are not suitable for growing in climates with frosty winters, since they are very sensitive to severe frosts, even with additional cover for the trunks.
Fruit characteristics
Idared apples have the following characteristics:
- The fruits are quite large in size and weigh at least 100 grams, which can reach up to 200 grams.
- The shape of apples is slightly conical or round. With large fruit sizes, slight ribbing may appear.
- The color of the fruit is greenish, but most of the apple is covered with a thick blush of dark red or crimson color.
- Rare and large subcutaneous dots are noticeable, which can give the color a certain marbled effect.
- The skin of the fruit is glossy and smooth with a thin waxy coating, but dense and elastic.
- The pulp of the fruit is juicy and has a dense structure at the beginning of ripening. After some storage, the structure becomes fine-grained, and in the end even loose.
- Apples of this variety have virtually no aroma.
- The sweet and sour taste of Idared apples is rated by experts as good or even average.
- The fruits contain 10.5% sugar, 13.5% dry matter, 11.5 mg per 100 g of ascorbic acid.
- Apples have a universal purpose - they can be used fresh, for making juices and other drinks, as well as for cooking and canning.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Thus, we come to the conclusion that it is not for nothing that the Idared apple tree variety has been so popular for almost 100 years. It clearly has the following advantages:
- Apples keep well on the tree and also have a long shelf life in suitable premises.
- Apples have an elegant appearance and tolerate transportation well.
- High yield of the variety and stable fruiting from year to year.
However, the variety also has some disadvantages:
- Insufficient frost resistance, the trees are ideally suited for growing in the southern regions of Russia.
- Instability to scab and powdery mildew - requires mandatory preventive work.
- Some consumers believe that apples can taste much better.
Features of cultivation
As for planting seedlings of Idared apple trees, it is done according to the standard scheme with a garter for the first few years of the trunk to a support pole.An interesting feature of Idared apple trees is that they do not require particularly fertile soil and on poor soils the color of the fruit becomes more intense. Therefore, when growing on chernozems, it is recommended to add sand to the planting holes.
Pruning trees with their natural tendency to thicken the crown is of great importance.
Due to the special sensitivity of the variety to frost, after harvesting, but even before the leaves fall, it is advisable to apply fertilizers containing zinc and boron.
In the spring, disease prevention work is mandatory. It is necessary to spray the crown of apple trees at least several times with copper-containing preparations.
Reviews from gardeners
Reviews about the Idared apple tree, the description and photo of which you have read above, evoke mixed feelings among consumers. On the one hand, high yield and ability for long-term storage, on the other hand, instability to diseases and the inability to grow it in harsh climatic conditions.
Conclusion
Winter apples are specifically designed for long-term storage, so do not try to determine their taste in the fall, especially during harvest. And after trying them in winter, you may also want to grow an Idared apple tree on your property.
