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The Giant Champion apple tree or simply “Champion” is in great demand in Poland and Germany. Basically, everyone is attracted by the wonderful taste and attractive color of the fruit. In addition, this variety has a number of other advantages. Most often, Champion apples are exported to us from Poland. From there they are imported to other European countries. Increasingly, this variety is found on the plots of Russian gardeners, where “Champion” apples grow and develop no less productively. This article will discuss the description of the champion apple tree variety, photos and reviews.
Characteristics of the variety
The "Champion" apple tree variety is highly valued, so it is often grown for industrial purposes. It has high yields and is easy to care for. Based on this, it becomes clear that growing this variety is very profitable. And both for yourself and for sale.
Initially, the “Champion” apple tree was bred in the Czech Republic. The varieties “Golden Delicious” and “Orange Ranet” were taken as the basis. Already in the third year, the “Champion” apple variety begins to bear fruit. The tree itself is not tall, but very strong. The fruits are stored for a long time without losing their taste. They can last in a cool place for up to 6 months.
When choosing seedlings, you should be careful.The variety has clones that are very similar to the Champion apple tree:
- apple tree "Champion Reno", which has a sweeter taste and reddish color of the fruit;
- The Champion Arno apple tree is distinguished by its rich taste and high concentration of sugar in the fruit. Apples are bright red in color.
Small grayish spots may appear on the surface of the apples. Tasters gave the variety a fairly high score, rating the taste of “Champion” 4.7 out of 5. The apples have light, creamy-yellowish flesh. They taste sweet and sour. The fruits are recommended to be consumed fresh, but this does not prevent anyone from using them for canning and preparing various dishes.
Growing apples
The description of the “Champion” apple tree variety shows that the trees produce a generous annual harvest. Starting from the third year, it is necessary to normalize the number of ovaries and flowers. This is the only way to harvest a bountiful harvest of juicy and tasty apples. If you do not pick the ovaries from the bushes, the apples may not color well. Also, for prevention, some preventive procedures should be carried out. The leaves of apple trees are sprayed with special solutions that contain phosphorus.
On young trees the fruits hold very tightly. As a rule, after a few years, apples may fall off prematurely. To prevent this, you need to harvest on time. In addition, apples picked late will not be stored well and will quickly lose their taste.
Apple tree pruning
The Giant Champion apple tree variety grows and develops quickly.Before fruiting begins, trees grow a little faster, and after the first fruits appear, the growth rate decreases noticeably. If apple trees produce a bountiful harvest every year, there will simply be no strength left for growth. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out pruning. This procedure stimulates the development and growth of the tree. The fruits will grow on young branches, which are stronger and stronger. Thanks to this, the quality of the fruits themselves will improve.
The upper branches on the crown of the tree should be younger than 3–4 years. If an annual shoot ends in a generative bud, it is cut off. They also remove annual shoots that end in a bud, but have never grown longer than 20 cm throughout the year. They usually grow poorly and produce a poor harvest.
The same shoots that end in a bud, but have grown to 30 cm, are left. It happens that all the branches on a tree are quite long and strong. What to do in this case? It is necessary to leave enough shoots so that the tree can bear fruit normally next year and not be overloaded with apples. Also, during pruning, it is imperative to remove all old and dried branches. In addition, the tree should not have thick shoots that grow too close to the main branch.
When pruning, try to provide good lighting to all branches. They should not be located too densely or close to each other. Good lighting will allow you to grow beautiful, fully colored fruits even on the lower branches. According to the description, the “Champion” apple tree will not be able to bear fruit generously and grow without proper pruning. This variety needs careful care.
Apple tree diseases
The most common disease of Champion apple trees is bitter pitting. This occurs due to a lack of calcium. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying of trees even before bud formation (around the beginning of June). Then you can carry out several more sprayings during the period from the beginning of fruit formation to harvest.
Calcium not only protects fruits from bitter pitting, but also helps fight other common diseases. The plant becomes stronger and healthier. In addition, such apples will be better stored throughout the winter. To grow beautiful, evenly colored apples of the “Champion” variety as in the photo, you should treat the trees with phosphorus-based fertilizers. This spraying is carried out approximately a month and a half before the start of harvest.
This variety has a fairly high resistance to scab and powdery mildew. Prevention in this case will be high-quality tree pruning. No chemicals need to be used. They are used only if signs of tree infestation are detected.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Champion variety
Descriptions, photos and reviews of the “Champion” apple tree will help you choose the best seedlings for your plot. Some gardeners argue that it is better to take young trees on a rootstock (semi-dwarf or dwarf). Each type has its own characteristic features:
- Dwarf seedlings grow up to 2.5 m in height. Such trees begin to bear fruit very quickly. Ripe fruits can be picked next year.
- Semi-dwarf apple trees reach up to 4 m in height, and the first fruits ripen in the second year after planting the seedlings.
The first time after planting the “Champion” apple tree, it is necessary to constantly regulate the yield. To do this, some of the ovaries are torn from the trees. This is done when too many ovaries are formed. In addition, gardeners value the “Champion” variety for its tasty and incredibly aromatic fruits. They have an attractive appearance and ripen quite quickly. Apple trees produce very generous annual harvests. These factors make the variety even more popular among gardeners.
The disadvantages of the Champion variety include the following:
- apple trees have low frost resistance;
- the variety is prone to bitter pitting;
- Bacterial burns may appear on the shoots.
Harvest storage
In order for apples to be stored well throughout the winter, it is necessary to harvest on time. The optimal magpies are selected so that the fruits are not too green, but also not overripe. Apples with red color, of course, ripen faster. The green color of the fruit indicates that they are not yet ready for harvest. In addition, the apples should be quite dense.
During storage of the crop, the fruit should be checked from time to time. They are inspected and any damaged or soft apples are discarded. In small quantities, Champion apples can be stored in the refrigerator. The ideal temperature reaches about 1 °C. Such apples are often grown for industrial purposes. In order to maintain its presentation, the drug “Smart Fresh” is often used. This substance is used to treat fruits after harvesting.
Conclusion
Despite its whimsical nature and poor resistance to some diseases, gardeners greatly value the “Champion” variety. This variety bears fruit beautifully and, most importantly, every year.The apple tree grows quickly, and already in the third year it will be possible to harvest the first harvest of ripe apples. The description and photo of the “Champion” apple variety attracted many gardeners. We are sure that such a wonderful variety will not leave anyone indifferent.
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