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Growing apple trees in Siberia can be a risky endeavor; in cold winters there is a high risk of them freezing. Only cold-resistant varieties can grow in this region. Breeders are also working in this direction. One of the new varieties was the Bayana apple tree variety, intended for cultivation in Western Siberia.
History of selection
The variety was bred from two varieties - “Altai Purple”, which was taken as a winter-hardy maternal form, and a hybrid obtained from crossing “Gorno-Altai” and “Chinese Bellefleur”. The new apple tree turned out to be large-fruited and winter-hardy. The variety is noted as promising for industrial cultivation.
Description of the Bayana apple tree variety with photo
The Bayana variety was included in the State Register in 2007 and zoned in the West Siberian region. Belongs to the late autumn group.
Appearance of fruit and tree
The tree grows quickly, the height is average (can reach 4-4.5 m). The crown is moderately dense, narrowly pyramidal.The leaves are medium in size, green, elongated, short pointed. The apples are large, one-dimensional, weigh on average 165 g, round in shape, with weak ribbing. The skin of the fruit is greenish-yellow, with a large purple blush and rare small green subcutaneous dots.
Large fruit is one of the main characteristics of this variety of apple tree.
Lifespan
With good care, the Bayana apple tree can live more than 50 years. It often bears fruit for up to 40 or more seasons. If a tree does not receive proper care, its lifespan decreases.
Taste
The pulp of the fruit of the Bayana cream apple tree is fine-grained, medium-dense, very juicy and tender. Its taste is sweet and sour, the taster rating is 4.6 points. The fruit has a moderate odor.
Growing regions
The Bayana variety apple tree can be grown in the Urals, Altai, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Tyumen and Omsk regions. Even in more northern regions, such as the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Productivity
In the first years of fruiting (fruits begin to ripen in the fourth season), Bayana apple trees show an average yield of 4.1 kg per 1 sq. m. In subsequent years, the yield increases to 11-14 kg per 1 sq. m. m.
Frost resistance of the Bayan apple tree
Cold resistance is high, the tree can withstand frosts down to -46 ° C. The drought resistance of this apple tree variety is average.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Excellent resistance to scab, not affected by powdery mildew. Sometimes he may suffer from cytosporosis and lichen.
If the storage rules are followed, apples can last 4 months after picking.
Flowering period and ripening period
The Bayana apple tree begins to bloom in the 1st or 2nd decade of May, in Altai earlier - at the end of April.Flowering lasts approximately 1.5 weeks, depending on the weather. The fruits ripen in the third decade of September. The technical ripeness of apples can be determined by the purple tint that appears on the skin.
Pollinators
The Bayana variety is bee-pollinated and self-fertile. To increase the volume and quality of fruits, you can plant apple plants of other varieties nearby, for example, “Gornoaltaiskoe”, “Grushovka”, “Melba”, “Siberian Souvenir”, “Bolotovskoe”, “Vishnevoe”, etc.
Transportation and keeping quality
The fruits of the Bayana apple tree have a dense skin, so they tolerate transportation well and are not damaged by mechanical influences. They have good keeping quality and can be stored for 4 months.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Bayana variety are not limited to cold resistance; the apple tree shows good productivity, early ripening, and no frequency of fruiting. Fruit ripening may be slightly reduced during rainy seasons with large temperature changes in spring and summer. The variety is resistant to common fungal diseases, the fruits are well stored and can withstand transportation.
Disadvantages: low yield in the first seasons of fruiting, shedding of the ovary during ripening.
Landing rules
Choose a place that is well lit, open, but not blown by the wind. It is not advisable to place apple trees next to other tall trees or buildings so that they do not end up in their shade.
Apple trees grow best in fertile loamy and sandy loam soil with neutral acidity. In most cases, the soil needs to be prepared before planting a tree: adding organic fertilizers in the form of humus (1.5 buckets per planting hole) and ash (2 kg).
Spring planting allows the tree to establish roots over the summer, increasing its chances of establishing itself. You can also plant in the fall, but at least 1.5 months before the onset of a period of persistent cold weather.
Young 1- or 2-year-old seedlings take root best; older trees do worse. For a standard tree, planting holes are dug at least 0.7 m in diameter and 0.5 m in depth. The distance between seedlings is 4 by 4-4.5 m.
Landing sequence:
- Place a drainage layer of small stones, crumbs and broken bricks at the bottom of the hole.
- Place the seedling in the middle, spread the roots so that they are directed in all directions.
- Fill the hole with soil, water and lightly compact.
- Mulch the tree trunk surface with plant material or agrofibre.
You can place a peg next to the tree and tie the trunk to it. Thanks to this, it will grow evenly and not obliquely.
Growing and care
After planting, an apple tree seedling of the Bayana variety only needs watering. Moisten the soil often for 1.5 months, making sure that the soil does not become dry. Then the frequency of irrigation is reduced, watering only in the absence of natural precipitation. After each watering or rain, the soil in the tree trunk circles is loosened. To avoid this need to be done, the soil is covered with mulch.
In early spring, it is recommended to whitewash trees to protect them from burns and wintering pests.
Apple trees are fed in the 2nd year; in the first season there is no need for fertilizers. In the spring, organic matter is added under the trees - humus and ash in the same amount as when planting.Fruiting apple trees are fertilized at least 3 times per season: in the spring before buds open, after flowering and in the middle of the fruit growth period. At this time, you can use both organic and mineral fertilizers.
Pruning begins the following spring after planting. The tops of the central conductor and lateral branches are removed from the tree. From a formed apple tree in spring or autumn, cut out broken, frozen or shriveled branches and shoots growing inside the crown.
To prevent fungal diseases and the spread of pests, starting in spring, spraying with fungicidal preparations and insecticides is carried out. Usually 1-2 treatments carried out during the season are enough to avoid the development of diseases and the proliferation of harmful insects.
In winter, the soil under the trees is covered with a layer of peat, leaves, hay, sawdust and other suitable covering material. In early spring, the trunk and lower parts of the branches are whitened with lime to protect against burns and pests.
Collection and storage
The fruits ripen by the end of September. They are picked at full or technical ripeness. The method of consumption is universal, i.e. they can be eaten fresh or processed into juice and canned products.
Bayana apples are stored in a cool and dry place; a cellar is well suited for this purpose. Under optimal conditions, the fruits can last until February.
Conclusion
The Bayana apple tree variety is intended for cultivation in all regions of Western Siberia and the Urals. Its main advantage is frost resistance. In addition, the variety is characterized by early ripening, productivity, good taste and keeping quality of the fruit.
