Content
The Chinese golden apple tree variety is an unusual type of crop, the fruits of which are popularly called “paradise apples.” The tree itself also has highly decorative qualities, therefore it is widely used in landscape design. At the same time, this crop is characterized by increased frost resistance and low maintenance requirements, so it can often be found in personal plots.
Golden Chinese is especially pleasing to the eye during flowering and fruit ripening.
Description of the apple tree variety Kitayka Zolotaya
There are many types of Chinawort, but this variety stands out noticeably against their background due to the color of its fruits, as well as other characteristics. Therefore, you should study its main features, which will allow every gardener to get a complete picture of it.
History of selection
The Chinese golden apple tree was obtained thanks to the efforts of I.V. Michurin at the end of the 19th century. This happened in the nursery of the famous breeder, which is located in the city of Kozlov (now Michurinsk), in the Tambov region. The Golden Kitayka variety was obtained by pollinating White filling flowers with pollen from the classic Kitayka species. And already in 1895, the collected seeds sprouted, and 12 years after that, a seedling of a new variety yielded its first harvest.
Appearance of fruit and tree
This variety is characterized by a medium-sized tree. At the initial stage of growth, its crown has a broom-shaped shape, and the branches extend from the main trunk at an acute angle. The bark of the shoots of a young tree has a yellowish tint. But in the process of further growth, the thin branches lengthen, which turns the crown into a spreading one. In this case, the shade of the bark changes to yellow-orange.
The Chinese golden apple tree reaches a height of about 5 m, and the width of its crown is 3-3.5 m. The annual growth is 30-40 cm, depending on care. The leaves of this variety are oval-elongated with a pointed end, and light green in color. There is a slight hairiness on the surface of the plates, and there are jagged edges. The stipules are large, and the petioles are elongated and thin.
The fruits of this type of apple tree are round and small. Average weight - 30 g. The color of the apples is whitish-yellow, there is no cover. The peduncle is short.
Lifespan
This type of apple tree begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. The productive life cycle of the Golden Chinese is 40 years.And in the future, the yield of the tree decreases sharply. But with proper care, this figure can be significantly increased.
Difference between late and early apple trees
There are 2 varieties of Chinese gold: early and late. The difference between the first one is that its fruits ripen much earlier than many summer species. According to reviews and descriptions, the Chinese early golden apple tree (pictured below) is characterized by uniform ripening of the fruits, but at the same time they quickly fall off the tree.
Harvesting of early varieties should be carried out at the stage of technical maturity
The late variety of this type of apple tree is one of the autumn varieties. The first fruiting, according to the description, of the Chinese Golden late apple tree (photo below) occurs a year later than that of the early one. The variety is characterized by stable and high yield. At the same time, the shedding of apples is insignificant. The taste of the late variety improves with further storage.
The fruits have a yellow tint with a slight reddish tint
Taste
The early variety has a sweet and sour pleasant taste. But after a few days it becomes “woolly”. The late Chinese Golden apples are more sour with a slight hint of sweetness.
Productivity
In this species of Kitayka, fruits are formed only on the peripheral part of the crown, so the yield is average. The fruit volume of a tree up to 10 years old is 25 kg, and by 15 years it doubles.
Frost resistance
According to the stated characteristics, the Chinese golden apple tree has an average level of frost resistance.When the temperature drops to -40 °C, the bark freezes, resulting in the formation of deep cracks. The tree does not die from this, but requires long-term restoration.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Chinese golden bird does not have high immunity. Therefore, if the growing conditions are inappropriate, it may suffer from pests, scab, powdery mildew and other common crop diseases.
Flowering period and ripening period
An early variety of apple tree blooms in the first half of May. And its fruits ripen by mid-July. The flowering period of the late species occurs in early June. And the first fruits ripen in mid-September.
Pollinators
The Chinese golden apple tree is self-sterile. Therefore, for its fruit to set, it is necessary to plant other pollinating varieties nearby. It is best to use White filling and Grushovka Moskovskaya for this.
Transportation and keeping quality
The Chinese gold harvest cannot be transported. Early fruits should be processed within 2 days after collection. Apples of the late variety can be stored for 2 months at a temperature not exceeding + 9 °C.
Chinese fruits lose their commercial quality during transportation
Features of cultivation in the regions
Caring for a Chinese golden apple tree is the same, regardless of the growing region. The only thing is that planting dates may differ, as well as preparing the tree for winter. Therefore, these features should be studied.
In Siberia
In this region, seedlings should be planted in the spring after the air temperature remains confidently at +7-9 °C at any time of the day.This usually happens in early May.
For successful wintering, the tree trunk needs to be insulated with roofing material, and the root circle with a layer of humus 5-7 cm thick.
In outskirts of Moscow
In this region, growing the Chinese golden apple tree does not present any particular difficulties. For better survival, seedlings should be planted in the fall, namely at the end of September. There is no need to insulate the tree for the winter.
In the Urals
Apple trees in this region should be planted in the spring, after the top layer of soil has thawed. This will allow the seedling to grow stronger during the summer and prepare for winter. To protect the apple tree from strong Ural winds, it is necessary to tie it to a support.
For the winter, you need to insulate the trunk with roofing material and cover the root circle with a thick layer of humus or peat.
In the north
Planting the Chinese golden apple tree in the northern regions should be done in the spring, in the first half of May. Since the soil here is quite heavy, humus and wood ash should be added to the site in advance. When planting, you need to lay a layer of crushed stone at the bottom of the hole, and cover it with inverted turf on top.
For successful wintering, the apple tree needs insulation of the trunk and root circle.
In the middle lane
Growing Golden Chinese in this case does not require complex actions. Planting should be carried out in the third ten days of April. This procedure follows a standard procedure. The tree does not require insulation for the winter.
Subspecies
There are several subspecies of the Chinese golden apple tree. They differ in the height of the tree, the shape of the crown, which depends on the rootstock used.
Decorative
A low-growing species that does not require the formation of a crown, since it does not thicken. The leaves of this apple tree are smooth, light green, and elliptical in shape.The flowers are large, pink, exuding a rich aroma.
The decorative look is mainly used as an element of landscape design.
Columnar
The Chinese golden columnar apple tree is an early ripening species with high decorative qualities. The tree grows at a level of 2.0-2.5 m and has almost no lateral skeletal branches. In the columnar apple tree Chinaka golden, the fruits grow in clusters along the main trunk.
The shape of the columnar golden Chinese tree greatly facilitates care and harvesting
Semi-dwarf
The height of this variety of Golden Chinese does not exceed 3-4 m. Initially, the development of a young seedling is no different from the standard type, but after the first fruiting it noticeably weakens.
Experts recommend promptly removing old branches of the semi-dwarf species, which will stimulate the growth of new shoots
Large-fruited
It is a low tree that easily tolerates low temperatures. According to the photo and description, this variety of Golden Kitayki apples differs from other types in its larger fruits, the average weight of which is 60-80 g. The yield of the large-fruited variety is high
Large-fruited Chinese can withstand frosts down to - 50 ° C
Advantages and disadvantages
The Chinese golden apple tree has a number of advantages and disadvantages. When choosing this type, you need to study them in advance.
Chinese Golden when ripe exudes a pleasant apple aroma
Advantages of the apple tree:
- high decorative qualities of fruits and wood;
- increased frost resistance;
- stable fruiting;
- long productive cycle;
- precociousness.
Flaws:
- low resistance to diseases;
- fruits are not subject to long-term storage or transportation;
- needs pollinators;
- The early variety has rapid shedding of ripened fruits.
Planting and care
The Chinese golden apple tree does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. Therefore, when planting, the groundwater level must be at least 2 m. For the tree, you need to select a sunny area with protection from drafts. This species prefers loam and sandy loam soil with good air and moisture permeability.
In 2 weeks, you need to prepare a planting hole with a depth of 80 cm and a width of 70 cm. It is important to lay broken bricks in a layer of 10 cm at the bottom. And fill 2/3 of the remaining volume with a nutrient mixture of turf, sand, humus, peat in a ratio of 2:1:1: 1. Additionally, add 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfide.
Algorithm of actions:
- Make a slight elevation in the center of the planting hole.
- Place a seedling on it, straighten the root shoots.
- Cover them with soil so that the root collar is at soil level.
- Compact the soil at the base and water thoroughly.
Further care involves timely watering in the absence of seasonal rains. Feeding of seedlings should begin at the age of three. To do this, nitrogen fertilizers should be used in the spring, and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers should be used during fruit set and ripening.
This tree does not require radical pruning. It is enough just to clean the crown from broken and damaged shoots.
Collection and storage
Harvesting of the early type should be carried out in the second half of July, and of the late type - at the end of September.In the first case, the fruits cannot be stored, so they must be used for making jam, preserves, and compotes.
In the second case, the apples need to be placed in wooden boxes, lined with paper, and then lowered into the basement. In this form they retain their qualities for 2 months.
Kitayka fruits are ideal for whole-fruit canning
Conclusion
The Chinese Golden apple tree variety is an unusual species with small fruits that are ideal for winter harvesting. Graceful ranetki trees can decorate any area and diversify the landscape design. According to experienced gardeners, the yield of other varieties increases noticeably when planted near Golden Chinese, since the aroma of its flowers attracts a large number of pollinating insects.
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