Semerenko apples: variety description, photos, reviews

One of the oldest Russian varieties of apple trees is Semerenko. The variety is still popular among both summer residents and gardeners. And this is not surprising, since Semerenko has proven himself well. Let's take a look at its description, main characteristics, reviews and photos. Let's learn how to properly plant and care for this variety of apple tree.

History of selection

Semerenko is an old variety of apple tree. The exact origin of the species is unknown. The fruit tree was first described by the famous gardener Lev Platonovich Simirenko. The Soviet breeder named the new variety in honor of his father - Renet Platon Simirenko. Later the name was modified, now the apples are known as Semerenko.

In 1947, the variety was added to the Russian state register. Since the plant prefers a mild and warm climate, apple trees began to be grown in the southern part of the country and in the Central Black Earth region. The fruit tree is also cultivated in Georgia, North Ossetia, Abkhazia and Ukraine.

Description of the variety

Semerenko – late-ripening, high-yielding and self-sterile variety. It is also called winter, as apples can be stored for about 8-9 months.

Tree

The apple tree is tall, with a thick and spreading crown, which has the shape of an inverted cauldron. The bark of the tree is gray, with a reddish tint on the sunny side. The shoots are brown-green, straight, and may bend slightly. Lentils are rare and small. Over the course of a year, shoots grow by 45-60 cm, depending on age.

The leaves are medium in size, light green in color with a shiny surface and a curling tip. The shape is round, elongated. The leaf blade bends slightly downward. The flowers are large, white, saucer-shaped.

Fruit

Semerenko fruits are large and medium. The average weight of one apple is 155-180 g, some specimens can reach 190-200 grams. They have an asymmetrical, flattened-round shape. The surface is smooth and even, the peel is dense. There are white subcutaneous dots that do not exceed 2-3 mm in diameter. A characteristic feature of Semerenko apples is wart formations about 7 mm in size. Usually there are no more than 2-3 pieces.

Ripe fruits are bright green; on the sunny side, a light pink blush may appear. The pulp is fine-grained, juicy, dense, white or slightly greenish. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour. During storage, the skin acquires a yellow tint, and the consistency of the apple becomes looser.

Productivity and ripening time

Semerenko is one of the highest-yielding varieties. The tree begins to bear fruit 5 years after planting. The apple tree blooms in May, and the harvest ripens in late September - October. A 7-8 year old plant produces about 12-16 kg of fruit. A tree older than 10 years produces up to 100 kg of harvest. Until 13-15 years old, the apple tree bears fruit annually.But with age, the number of fruits decreases, and then the harvest becomes periodic.

Advantages

Many gardeners and summer residents grow Semerenko apple trees on their plots. This variety is popular because it has many advantages:

apples have excellent commercial and taste qualities;
the fruits tolerate long-term transportation well and can be stored for about 7-8 months;
the tree is famous for its high productivity;
the plant tolerates lack of moisture and heat well, but the number of apples does not decrease;
suitable for dietary and baby food;
the fruits are not prone to shedding.

Apples help in the treatment of vitamin deficiency and anemia, rheumatism and gastrointestinal diseases. The fruits can be consumed fresh, prepared from them into compotes, juices, jam, and added to salads and pies.

Flaws

The main disadvantages of the Semerenko variety apple tree:

Low frost resistance. In the northern regions, trees need to be covered for the winter.
The apple tree is not capable of self-pollination. It is recommended to plant a pollinating variety next to it, for example, Golden Delicious, Memory of Sergeev or Idared;
The tree needs annual pruning. The plant is growing strongly.
Low resistance to scab and powdery mildew.
A tree older than 13-15 years brings an unstable harvest.

If you provide the apple tree with proper care and create favorable conditions for it, many troubles can be avoided.

Features of agricultural technology

To grow a healthy apple tree that will produce a rich and high-quality harvest, you need to follow the rules of agricultural technology.

Landing dates

In the spring Semerenko planted at the end of March or early April before the kidneys awaken. By this time the snow should have melted. Before winter, the seedling will have time to gain strength and take root.

Autumn planting begins during from September 15 to October 15. In this case, there should be a month left before the first frost. When spring comes and warm weather sets in, the seedling will quickly grow.

Attention! Spring planting is recommended for northern regions.

Site selection

The Semerenko variety apple tree prefers flat terrain that is well lit by the sun. If a tree is planted in the shade, its fruits will be sour. The apple tree needs protection from cold, northern winds. Therefore, it is planted on the south side of any building or fence. Semerenko does not like swampy and waterlogged soils. Groundwater should be located no closer than 1.5-2 meters to the surface.

This variety of apple tree grows best on fertile and loose soil. The most preferred are loams, sandstones, chernozems and sod-podzolic soils.

Preparing the planting hole

The selected area should be dug up, stones and weeds removed. If the soil is clayey, add sand. Two weeks before landing you need dig a hole about 60-70 cm deep and 90-100 cm in diameter. Set the top layer of soil aside, add 2-3 buckets of humus, 1 bucket of ash, 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate and potassium salt. Mix the mixture thoroughly and pour it into the planting hole. You need to pour several buckets of water on top.

Attention! If the tree is planted in the fall, there is no need to apply nitrogen fertilizers.

Planting scheme

Step-by-step process of planting an apple tree of the Semerenko variety:

Empty the prepared hole halfway from the soil mixture.
Drive in a peg intended for gartering the apple tree.
Lower the seedling into the hole and straighten its roots.
Shaking slightly, cover it with soil. Root collar should be 5-8 cm above ground level.
Compact the soil around the apple tree and water with 2-3 buckets of warm water.
As soon as the moisture is absorbed, mulch the tree trunk circle with a layer of sawdust, peat, branches or dry grass.

Since this variety of apple tree tends to grow, the interval between trees should be at least 3 meters. The distance between rows is about 5 meters.

Features of care

Semerenko is an unpretentious apple tree variety. Knowing how to care for it, you can grow a healthy tree that will delight you with tasty and aromatic fruits.

Watering

Young trees should be watered 2-3 times a month with 25-30 liters of water. The frequency of irrigation depends on the weather. An adult apple tree of the Semerenko variety tolerates drought well. Despite this, the soil needs to be moistened 3-4 times per season with 40-50 liters of water. It must be warm and settled.

After watering, the soil around the apple tree should be loosened and weeded. Thanks to this procedure, the roots of the tree are saturated with oxygen.

Trimming

The Semerenko apple tree is prone to crown growth, which reduces yields and increases the risk of diseases. That's why It is recommended to prune in spring and autumn. Dried, damaged, old, diseased and improperly growing branches should be removed. Do not touch the ringlets and fruit spears. It is advisable to cover the cuts with oil paint or garden varnish.

Important! In one procedure, you can cut off no more than 30-35% of the crown of the apple tree, otherwise the plant will take a long time to recover.

Top dressing

The Semerenko apple tree can be fed in the third year after planting. In the spring (April-May), the tree is fertilized with nitrogen-containing mixtures - ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate.In autumn (in October, after picking apples), phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to the soil, such as superphosphate, potassium sulfate and wood ash. They contribute to the laying of the crop. Manure or humus is applied once every 1-2 years.

If the weather is dry, then fertilizers should be diluted in water. The resulting solution is watered around the trunk of the apple tree. In wet weather, the mixture is evenly scattered around the tree and the soil is loosened.

Shelter for the winter

This apple tree variety does not tolerate temperatures below -25 degrees. Before the onset of cold weather, the soil under the apple tree is mulched with peat, humus or sawdust. The trunk is wrapped in burlap or heat-insulating materials.

Young trees are very sensitive to frost, so they are completely covered for the winter. This can be done using spruce branches. When snow falls, a snowdrift is collected around the apple tree, which serves as additional protection.

Disease Prevention

The Semerenko apple tree variety is susceptible to scab and powdery mildew. To prevent fungal diseases in early spring, the tree is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or preparations containing copper.

After the apple tree blooms, biofungicides are used - Fitosporin, Zircon, Raek. The products improve the endurance and resistance of various crops to adverse environmental factors.

Attention! In autumn, fallen leaves, fruits and dried branches should be collected and burned.

Reviews from gardeners

Dmitry, 61 years old, Volgograd

Semerenko is one of the best apple varieties. Tasty and aromatic fruits invigorate and refresh. I have two apple trees in my garden. This year I collected a large and high-quality harvest. I make jam and compotes from apples. I wrap the remaining fruits in paper, put them in boxes and put them in the cellar. I keep them there until spring.

Olga, 28 years old, Chelyabinsk

I bought a seedling of the Semerenko apple tree and only later found out that this variety does not tolerate frost well. Last year I forgot to cover the tree for the winter, and all its branches froze. But in the summer the plant produced new shoots, which grew a meter in length in a couple of months. This year the apple tree began to bear fruit. This is an unpretentious variety that only requires treatment for fungal diseases and insulation for the winter. Everything else happens by itself.

Marina, 30 years old, Voronezh

On my plot there are three Semerenko apple trees, which have been bearing fruit for 6 years. They are growing great, but every year I struggle with scab. And during prolonged rains, powdery mildew may appear. I spray the garden with fungicides twice a year to prevent the fungus from spreading. The apples of this variety are very tasty and large. They can be stored for a long time, but we don’t get to that point; we eat everything quickly.

Conclusion

Growing Semerenko apple tree does not require special costs or effort. In return, the tree produces a wonderful harvest of juicy apples that you can enjoy all winter long. The variety is recommended for gardeners who live in regions with temperate and warm climates.