Content
The Orlik apple tree is a reliable and proven variety, adapted to difficult Russian conditions. The variety is characterized by high yield and frost resistance. If the rules of planting and care are followed, the life of the tree is up to 50 years.
Description of the variety
The Orlik variety was obtained at the Oryol experimental station in 1959. Its breeding was carried out by domestic scientists T. A. Trofimova and E. N. Sedov. The next 10 years were required to improve the variety, which made it possible to increase yield and frost resistance.
Wood appearance
Orlik is a winter-ripening variety. The apple tree grows small, the crown has a round shape and is compact. The branches are at right angles to the trunk, their ends are slightly raised.
You can evaluate the appearance of the Orlik variety from the photo:
The bark of the apple tree has a yellowish tint and is smooth to the touch. The shoots are straight and brown in color. The buds are medium-sized, cone-shaped, strongly pressed against the shoots.
The leaves of the Orlik apple tree are distinguished by their rich green color and oval shape. They are quite large and wrinkled.The edges of the leaves are coarsely wavy and the tips are slightly pointed.
A characteristic feature of the Orlik variety is the rich pink color of the buds, while the blooming flowers have a pinkish tint
Features of the fruit
Orlik apples correspond to the following variety description:
- conical shape;
- medium sizes;
- apple weight from 100 to 120 g;
- waxy coating on the peel;
- When picked, the apples are greenish-yellow in color;
- the harvested crop gradually changes color to light yellow with a red blush;
- dense and juicy cream-colored pulp;
- sweet and sour harmonious taste.
The chemical composition of the fruit has the following characteristics:
- sugar content – up to 11%;
- titratable acid - 0.36%;
- pectin substances – 12.7%;
- ascorbic acid – 9 mg for every 100 g;
- P-active substances – 170 mg for every 100 g.
Productivity of the variety
Orlik apples begin to ripen in the second half of September. If stored in a cool, dry place, the shelf life can be extended until early March.
Fruiting begins in the fourth or fifth year after planting. The harvest depends on the age of the tree:
- 7-9 years – from 15 to 55 kg of apples;
- 10-14 years – from 55 to 80 kg;
- 15-20 years – from 80 to 120 kg.
Gardeners note the excellent dessert properties of the Orlik variety. Apples can be transported over long distances. The fruits are used for making juices and baby food.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Orlik apple tree variety has gained wide popularity due to a number of advantages:
- rapid ripening;
- resistance to winter frosts;
- high productivity, which increases annually;
- dessert taste of fruits;
- good keeping quality of apples;
- compact trees that can be planted even in a small area;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- unpretentiousness.
Among the disadvantages of the variety, the following should be noted:
- When ripe, the fruits fall off;
- apples are small in size;
- Fruiting may occur irregularly.
Selection of seedlings
You can purchase Orlik apple tree seedlings at a garden center or nursery. You can order them in online stores, but there is a high probability of getting low-quality planting material.
When purchasing, you need to pay attention to several nuances:
- the root system must be strong and intact, without sagging or damage;
- absence of traces of mold and rot;
- seedling height – 1.5 m;
- presence of a healthy root collar;
- number of branches – 5 or more;
- no damage to the bark.
Boarding order
Planting work begins with preparing the hole. At this stage, fertilizers must be applied. The seedling is also prepared before planting, after which work begins.
Preparation of seedlings
Apple tree seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. First, the tree is left in a bucket of water for a day. After planting, the Orlik apple tree needs to be constantly watered.
When planted in the spring, the tree has time to take root, and the roots and branches become stronger. The work is carried out at the end of April or beginning of May, when the soil has warmed up well.
Autumn planting is carried out in October so that the root system has time to adapt to new conditions before frost. You need to plant an apple tree at least two weeks before the onset of cold weather.
Choosing a landing site
For the apple tree, choose a well-lit place that is protected from the wind. Groundwater should be located at a depth of 2 m.
The apple tree prefers black soil. Planting is not carried out in rocky and marshy areas.
The Orlik variety has a small crown, so it can be planted with other trees. Leave 1.5 - 2 m between apple trees.
Disembarkation procedure
To plant an apple tree, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions:
- A month before the work, a pit with a depth of 0.7 m and a diameter of 1 m is prepared.
- A peg is placed in the center of the hole.
- Humus, peat and compost are added to the soil, after which the hole is filled with the resulting mixture.
- The planting area is covered with film.
- After a month, they begin directly planting the apple tree. The seedling is placed in a hole and the roots are straightened. Root collar (the place where the bark changes from green to brown).
- The plant needs to be covered with soil and compacted.
- The apple tree is watered and tied to a peg.
Rules of care
Proper care will allow the apple tree to develop and produce a good harvest. The Orlik variety requires standard care: watering, fertilizing and regular pruning.
Watering the apple tree
The apple tree must be watered regularly. For this purpose, special channels are made between the rows of trees. You can water the tree using a fan method, when water flows evenly in small drops.
The volume of water depends on the age of the apple tree:
- 1 year – two buckets per square meter;
- 2 years – 4 buckets;
- 3 years – 5 years – 8 buckets;
- over 5 years – up to 10 buckets.
In spring, you need to water the apple tree before the buds open. Trees under 5 years old are watered every week. The second watering is done after flowering. In hot weather, apple trees are watered more often.
The last watering is carried out 2 weeks before harvesting the apples.If the autumn turns out to be dry, then additional moisture is added.
Fertilizer application
In spring, shoots need fertilizing in the form of rotted manure or minerals containing nitrogen (nitrophoska or ammonium nitrate).
During the fruiting period, when watering, add 150 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium chloride. From mid-August they begin to prepare the apple tree for winter by feeding it with humus. Fertilizers are applied to a depth of 0.5 m.
Apple tree pruning
Pruning of the Orlik variety is carried out in order to eliminate dead and damaged branches. It is necessary to prune the tree in the spring to form the crown and in the fall to remove weak branches.
Spring pruning is carried out in March. For young trees, you need to cut off the top and side branches by 0.8 m.
In autumn, work is carried out after the leaves have fallen. It is best to wait for cold weather and snow. The thickened crown must be thinned out.
Be sure to ensure that the apple tree grows into one trunk. If there are branches, they must be eliminated. Otherwise, splitting will occur and the tree will die.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
The Orlik apple tree variety is deservedly popular among gardeners. The plant is resistant to winter frosts and diseases, and its fruits have a good taste and long shelf life. To obtain a good harvest, the apple tree is regularly cared for: applying moisture and fertilizers, as well as pruning branches.
