Content
The apple tree variety, a gift for gardeners, is one of the most popular, as it is characterized by stable yields in regions with risky farming. Fruits of this species are characterized by high taste and can be stored for a long time if certain conditions are met. The name of the variety fully meets the expectations of gardeners, since to get a good harvest of apples you just need to follow the general rules of care.
“Gift for Gardeners” - a universal variety
History of selection
The “Gift for Gardeners” was received in 1959. Employees of the Siberian Institute of Horticulture named after. M.A. Lisavenko. The goal of the breeding work was to create a resistant variety that would consistently produce fruit under temperature changes and short summer conditions. And the resulting variety fully met all expectations.
The basis for the “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree was such species as “Melba” and “Laletino”.The variety standard was officially recognized in 1998 and entered into the State Register. It is recommended for cultivation throughout the Western Siberian region.
Description of the apple tree Gift for gardeners
This species has a number of characteristics that make it stand out from the rest. Therefore, when choosing a variety, you should pay attention to them, which will allow you to get a complete picture of the “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree.
Appearance of fruit and tree
The variety belongs to the category of medium-growing. The height of the tree does not exceed 3 m, and the diameter is 3.5 m. The crown of the “Gardeners’ Gift” is round and of medium density. Branches of moderate thickness. Mature shoots have a red-brown bark tint, while young shoots have a green color. There is pubescence on the surface of the branches.
The leaves of this variety are large, oblong-oval. Petioles of medium length. The plates have a greenish-gray tint and are pubescent on the reverse side. There are small serrations along the edges of the leaves.
The apples are one-dimensional, small, the average weight is 70-80 g. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened towards the center. The main color is greenish-yellow, the cover color is red, presented in the form of small streaks that reach half of the fruit.
The pulp of “Gift for Gardeners” is white, with a slight greenish tint, dense, slightly grained.
When fully ripe, apples are juicy and have a pleasant aroma.
Lifespan
The “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree bears fruit consistently until the age of fifteen, and then must be replaced. If all planting rules and agricultural practices are followed, the lifespan can be extended by another 5 years, and if the recommendations are ignored, it can be significantly reduced.
Taste
Apples “Gift for Gardeners” have a pleasant sweetish taste with a slight sourness. The tasting rating of the variety is 4.5-4.8 points out of 5 possible. The fruits contain tannins, ascorbic acid, and P-active components. But at the same time they have an insignificant concentration of pectins and titratable acids.
Apples of this variety are ideal for drying and making compotes, jam and jam.
Growing regions
The “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree is grown everywhere in the Altai Territory and Siberia. But the variety also shows high productivity in the central regions. But in the southern regions it is not recommended to grow it, since the apple tree does not tolerate dry air and lack of moisture. In such conditions, it is almost impossible to achieve even an average level of yield.
Productivity
The first fruiting of the “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree occurs 3-4 years after planting, and occurs every season thereafter. The average yield of a ten-year-old tree is 20.5 kg, and by 15 years - 30 kg.
Frost resistance
The frost resistance of the “Gift for Gardeners” variety is average. When the temperature drops to -40 degrees, the bark may freeze and cracks may appear. But the peculiarity of this apple tree is that it has the ability to quickly regenerate.
Temperature changes and prolonged frosts do not significantly affect the yield of the variety
Resistance to diseases and pests
The “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree is immune to scab. But it exhibits average resistance to other common diseases. If the growing conditions are inappropriate, this variety may suffer from aphids and leaf rollers.Therefore, to prevent damage, it is necessary to treat the crown and trunk with fungicides and insecticides every spring.
Flowering period and ripening period
The apple tree “Gift for Gardeners” is one of the autumn species. It blooms in early June and lasts from 6 to 10 days, depending on the air temperature. Removable fruit maturity occurs in the second half of September. Therefore, harvesting can be carried out during this period and over the next 2 weeks.
Pollinators
The “Gift for Gardeners” variety is self-fertile. Therefore, it does not need other pollinating trees to produce apples.
Transportation and keeping quality
The fruits have a thin but dense peel, so they can easily be transported even over long distances. Also, apples of this variety are well stored for a long time without loss of commercial quality.
Advantages and disadvantages
This variety has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing it, you should pay attention to them.
The “Gift for Gardeners” variety can be used as a basis for breeding new species
The main advantages of the variety:
- stable yield;
- presentation of apples;
- excellent taste;
- versatility of application;
- fruits can be stored and transported for a long time;
- quickly recovers when frozen;
- immune to scab and weather conditions;
- does not require pollinators.
Flaws:
- small apples;
- the tree cannot tolerate even short-term drought;
- average resistance to frost.
Landing
For planting, 2-year-old seedlings should be selected. Plants can be planted in a permanent place at the end of April or in the first ten days of September.
Algorithm for the procedure:
- Prepare a hole 80 cm deep and 70 wide.
- Place a layer of crushed stone 5 cm thick on the bottom.
- Fill 2/3 of the hole volume with a nutrient mixture of turf, humus, and leaf soil in a 2:1:1 ratio.
- Additionally, add 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfide, mix everything thoroughly.
- Make a small elevation in the center of the hole.
- Place a seedling on it, straighten the roots.
- Place a support nearby.
- When planting, the root collar of an apple tree cannot be buried; it must be at soil level.
- Cover the roots with soil and compact the surface at the base.
- Water the seedling generously.
Growing and care
It is necessary to water the apple tree regularly, in the absence of seasonal rainfall - 2 times a week. Fertilizing is also important for this variety. They strengthen the plant’s immunity and increase its frost resistance. In the spring, the apple tree needs to be fertilized with urea or ammonium nitrate, and during budding and ovary formation, superphosphate and potassium sulfate should be used.
Pruning should also be carried out annually, which helps to give the crown the correct shape and clear it of thickening shoots. In addition, in early spring, the “Gift for Gardeners” apple tree should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, and additionally treated with the “Inta-Vir” insecticide.
What to do if it doesn’t bear fruit
Sometimes you can hear complaints from gardeners that an apple tree of this variety does not bear fruit. This can happen for a number of reasons:
- The root collar of the seedling is buried in the soil.
- Excess nitrogen in the soil.
- Lack of timely pruning.
To correct the situation, it is enough to adjust the care and remove excess soil at the base of the tree.
Collection and storage
Apples “Gift for Gardeners” are suitable for long-term storage for 4 months. and more. To do this, you need to put the harvest in wooden boxes and cover it with straw so that the fruits do not come into contact with each other. Then you should place them in a cool room with good ventilation.
Fruits should be picked from the tree at the stage of absolute ripeness.
Conclusion
The apple tree variety, a gift for gardeners, is an ideal crop that can show stable productivity while following standard care rules. Therefore, this type has not lost its relevance for many years. The variety still adequately withstands competition due to its increased vitality in difficult climatic conditions.
