Content
One of the areas of modern breeding is the breeding of plants specifically for specific climatic regions. The Pervouralskaya apple tree variety easily adapts to the harsh conditions of long winters and short summers. If all the rules of agricultural technology are observed, the tree will delight its owners with abundant harvests.
History of selection
The creator of the Pervouralskaya variety is the Sverdlovsk Experimental Horticulture Station. For the first time, a late-ripening apple tree was bred by L. Kotov in 2000. Persianka became the mother variety for Pervouralskaya. Taking as a basis all the best aspects of the original species, scientists were able to create the first tree in history that is immune to all 5 strains of scab at once.
Characteristics of the Pervouralskaya apple tree
Like most new varieties of apples, this species was created taking into account the specific climatic conditions of the Ural region.A characteristic feature of the variety is high frost resistance and excellent immunity to disease. Many farmers and owners of summer cottages fell in love with the apple tree for the beautiful appearance of the fruits and their keeping quality.
The Pervouralskaya apple tree easily tolerates temperature changes down to -35 degrees
The variety is characterized by a fairly early start of fruiting. Depending on the type of rootstock chosen, the first fruits on the tree begin to appear in the 4th or 5th year of life. At the same time, maximum yield occurs already 7-8 years after planting in open ground.
Appearance of fruit and tree
The Pervouralskaya apple tree rarely reaches a height of more than 4 m. The best vegetation is observed in flat areas and rich soils. In harsh climatic conditions and on poor soils, the tree grows no higher than 2-2.5 m. The crown of the apple tree is wide and oval. The branches are quite frequent - this creates density of foliage. The shoots are short in length, most often thicker than those of other varieties. Every year the seedling gains up to 30 cm in height under favorable conditions.
The apple fruits of this variety have a regular round shape without ribs or depressions. Most often, apples that are similar in size ripen on the same branch. The average weight of Pervouralskaya fruits is about 150 g. Under favorable conditions, the weight can reach up to 300 g. The color of the fruits is most often greenish-yellow, but there are specimens of an orange-red hue. The skin is thin and dense, covered with a light waxy coating.
Varietal subspecies
Depending on the type of rootstock used, the Pervouralsk apple tree is divided into 2 subspecies.In the first case, it is grown as a standard tree with a spherical crown, having a central trunk reaching a height of 4 m or more. If the variety is grafted onto a dwarf or wild rootstock, the apple tree will not grow higher than 2 m, but will begin to bear fruit at an earlier age - 3-4 years after planting in open ground.
Lifespan
Like most representatives of its species, the Pervouralskaya apple tree in the first years of its life pleases gardeners with active vegetation. After 7-8 years, the growth of the tree slows down - this is explained by the highest yield, which lasts for 15-20 years. With regular care and timely feeding, the variety can easily achieve fruiting time of up to 30-40 years.
Taste
The pulp of the fruit is bright creamy in color and delights with a powerful apple aroma and a balanced sweet and sour taste. It is quite dense and consists of small grains. According to expert tasting assessment, the Pervouralskaya variety scored 4.4 on a traditional 5-point scale.
The fruits of the Pervouralskaya apple tree have a balanced sweet and sour taste
Growing regions
Like most zoned varieties, this type of apple tree was specially bred for cultivation in a certain zone. Based on the name, the native region for the tree is the southern and central Urals. The variety easily tolerates all the features of a sharply continental climate - hot summers and harsh winters. With a sufficient layer of mulch, the plant survives even at temperatures of -35 degrees.
The Pervouralsk apple tree is cultivated with enviable success in the central and northwestern regions of the country.Given the milder climate of these areas, you can omit some measures to prepare for wintering - mulching and sheltering from the wind.
Productivity
Most gardeners choose their crops according to predicted yields. The Pervouralskaya apple tree boasts excellent harvest rates. Under industrial cultivation conditions, about 20 tons of fruits are collected from one hectare. Of course, with dacha planting with the creation of almost ideal conditions, you can count on more abundant harvests.
Frost resistance
Thanks to the efforts of domestic breeders, one of the few varieties was developed that can withstand a drop in the thermometer to such critical negative values. The Pervouralsk apple tree survives frosts down to -40 degrees, subject to additional preparation - abundant mulching and sheltering the branches from the wind. If, according to weather forecasters, the temperature does not drop below -20, there is no need to prepare the tree for winter.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Pervouralskaya variety is the first artificially bred species that is completely immune to the main problem of all apple trees - scab. None of the 5 known strains of this disease causes her any harm. Other diseases most often appear due to insufficient tree care. The most common ailments of Pervouralskaya:
- powdery mildew;
- fruit rot;
- mosaic disease;
- fungal diseases.
The Pervouralskaya variety has complete immunity to all types of scab
Most often, the fungus appears when there is a large accumulation of aphids, whiteflies and scale insects. These insects secrete waste products that disrupt the proper vegetation of the apple tree.At the first signs of infection, it is necessary to treat the plantings with special fungicidal and insecticidal preparations.
Flowering period and ripening period
Given the rather long winters, the active growing season of the apple tree begins relatively late. Provided that the snow melts in early April, active budding will begin only by the middle or end of May. The fruits reach technical maturity by the end of September.
In order to guess as accurately as possible the timing of fruit harvesting, you need to focus on the taste. It should be sour with a slight sweetness. Do not be afraid that the fruits are not ripe. They will reach their consumer maturity only after 2-3 months - during this time the acid will turn into carbohydrates, and the fiber will become softer.
Pollinators of the Pervouralskaya apple tree
The variety is not self-pollinating. To form fruits, the tree needs the proximity of other representatives of fruit crops. Late varieties whose flowering period coincides with Pervouralskaya are best suited as pollinators. In mid-May, Aksena, Rosette, Olympic Flame and Torch bloom. For pollination, it is recommended to maintain a 1:1 ratio of trees of different varieties.
Transportation and keeping quality
Like other late varieties of apples, Pervouralskaya retains its consumer qualities for a long time. Given the long period of time to reach full ripeness and impressive shelf life, even when stored in an unheated cellar, apples can easily last until March or April. When using specialized equipment, shelf life can reach 8-9 months.
The dense skin of the fruits of the Pervouralskaya variety ensures ease of transportation
Excellent shelf life parameters and pulp density ensure preservation of presentation during transportation. When transported in bulk, the skin of apples is not damaged. Taking into account the 2-month ripening period until full maturity, the product will be delivered to the end consumer without loss of presentation.
Advantages and disadvantages
Having absorbed all the advantages of the mother variety, the Pervouralsk apple tree occupies one of the leading positions relative to other zoned varieties. The most important advantages of wood include:
- winter hardiness;
- long shelf life of fruits;
- good immunity;
- early onset of fruiting;
- beautiful appearance of the fruit;
- abundant yield.
The disadvantages most often identified are the inability of the apple tree to self-pollinate and, as a consequence, the impossibility of mono-plantings of one crop on an industrial scale. Some experts also attribute weak competitiveness relative to other varieties in more favorable climatic conditions as a disadvantage.
Landing
Depending on the wishes of the summer resident, rooting of Pervouralsk apple tree seedlings can be done both in spring and autumn. A prerequisite is early preparation of planting holes - no less than 3-4 months before planting. The dimensions of the depressions vary depending on the type of soil. For fertile chernozems, 60 cm will be enough; for loam and sandy loam soils, about 1 m is needed.
Apple tree seedlings must have a developed root system and a strong trunk
The Pervouralskaya apple tree does not require a large amount of fertilizer in the first year after planting. Only a bucket of mullein and a little root growth accelerator are added to the planting hole for more active survival. The seedling is rooted so that the grafting site protrudes 2-3 cm above the soil level. After planting, the tree is watered abundantly and mulched with a small layer of sawdust for a couple of weeks. If necessary, the seedling is tied to a high support using twine or a clothesline.
Growing and care
A properly selected set of agrotechnical measures will ensure a healthy appearance and abundant harvests for the Pervouralskaya apple tree. Basic requirements include regular watering, application of bait, removal of weeds, pruning and preparation for winter.
For the Pervouralskaya variety, the first year of life after rooting is especially important. For several weeks after planting in open ground, it is necessary to follow a watering schedule - once every 3 days. Further moistening is carried out as the soil near the tree trunks dries out. Complex fertilizers are applied 2 times a year - after the snow melts and harvest. A month before the onset of calendar winter, the Pervouralsk apple tree is generously mulched with a layer of sawdust or spruce needles.
Apple tree pruning is divided into 2 types - sanitary and formative. In the first case, we mean the removal of shoots and branches damaged during the winter due to excessive thickening of the crown. Formative pruning is necessary to create the correct spherical shape.
Collection and storage
Harvesting begins immediately after the fruits reach technical maturity.Apples are collected together with the stalk - this will significantly increase the shelf life. The best containers for collecting fruits are wicker baskets or wooden pallets. Only specimens without mechanical damage are suitable, so harvesting must be done with the utmost care.
Apple tree fruits are collected together with the stalk
After picking, the apples are placed in special containers for storage. Each fruit is wrapped in paper to prevent rotting. The boxes are placed in an unheated basement or cellar in a summer cottage. At an average temperature of 4-6 degrees, apples retain their consumer properties for 5-6 months.
Conclusion
The Pervouralskaya apple tree variety is excellent for growing in harsh continental climates. The tree easily survives thermometer fluctuations down to -35 degrees. Even with minimal care and a short summer period, you can count on abundant harvests.
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