Content
Apple trees are grown almost everywhere in the Russian Federation, even in the northern regions. The cold, wet climate requires that the varieties planted here have certain characteristics. The Northern Zorka apple tree variety is frost-resistant, suitable for growing in the northwestern regions, unpretentious, and can get by with standard agricultural technology and care.
History of selection
The variety was developed in the first half of the 20th century; an application for admission to the State Register was submitted in 1944, and was included in 2001 and zoned in the North-Western region. The originator of the “Northern Zorka” apple tree is the Federal Agrarian Research Center of the North-East named after. N.V. Rudnitsky. The varieties “Red China” and “Kandil-Chinese” served as the parent forms for breeding the new variety. A related variety to “Northern Zorka” is “Melba”.
Description of the Northern Dawn apple tree with photo
The tree can reach up to 4 m in height, the fruits are spherical, the flesh is tasty, sweet, juicy.The main advantages of the species are winter hardiness and good immunity against fungi and scab.
The taste of apples is sweet, with barely noticeable sourness.
Appearance of fruit and tree
Apple tree of medium vigor, moderate height. The crown is round and dense. The fruits of “Northern Zorka” have a classic shape: conical-rounded, slightly ribbed, with light green skin. There is a diffuse pink blush on one side of the fruit. The mass of apples is on average 80 g, but there are also larger ones. The variety belongs to the early ripening species; apple trees begin to bear fruit early - from the fourth year of life. The fruits are formed on the ringlets.
Lifespan
With good care, apple trees live for at least 25 years, often more than 40. The plant can be rejuvenated by heavy pruning, then it will live and bear fruit longer.
Taste
The pulp of Severnaya Zorka apples is white, juicy, fine-grained, and medium in density. The taste is harmonious, sweet and sour.
Growing regions
The variety was bred for the Northwestern regions. These are the Vologda, Yaroslavl, Novgorod, Pskov, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Tver and Kostroma regions. These regions have a cold climate, so one of the main characteristics of fruit trees is cold resistance.
Productivity
On average, about 80-90 kg of fruit can be collected from one mature tree of the “Northern Zorka” variety. In terms of 1 sq. m. apple tree yield is 13 kg. Fruiting is stable, there is no periodicity.
Frost resistance
The winter hardiness of “Northern Zorka” is high; the tree can withstand severe frosts (down to -25˚C). This makes it possible to plant an apple tree of this variety in the northern regions without fear that it will freeze in winter.The tree tolerates frequent thaws, temperature changes day and night, snowless winters, uneven precipitation, changing wind directions, i.e. all weather “whims” characteristic of the North-West of the Russian Federation.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety has good resistance to diseases, including scab. Pests also rarely attack trees of this variety.
Flowering period and ripening period
Apple trees of this variety bloom in May. “Northern Zorka” belongs to the mid-season varieties. The fruits are collected from the beginning of September.
Pollinators
Next to the trees of the “Northern Zorka” variety, you need to plant seedlings of other species, for example, “Antonovka vulgaris”, “Pepina saffron”, “Pepina Orlovsky”, “Mekintosha”, “Taiga”, “Cinnamon striped”, “Chinese saffron”, "Moscow Late"
Transportation and keeping quality
Apples of the “Northern Zorka” variety have a dense skin, they are resistant to mechanical damage during transportation and do not deform. The collected fruits are stored for 1-1.5 months. Not suitable for longer storage.
Ripe Severnaya Zorka apples can be stored for a short time
Advantages and disadvantages
The Zorka apple variety is valued by gardeners for its frost resistance and disease resistance. The plant is not too tall, so it is easy to care for. The fruits have an attractive appearance, thick skin and juicy pulp, sweet and sour taste, uniform in size. Because of this, they can be grown for sale, especially since they can withstand transportation and are well stored.
The disadvantage of the “Northern Zorka” apple trees is the denseness of the crown, which is why the trees require mandatory thinning pruning. Untidy trees quickly reduce yield.
Landing rules
A seedling of this apple tree should be 1 or 2 years old and have 2 or 3 skeletal branches. If the tree has bare roots, before planting you need to cut off the dried ends and dip the root system in a solution of a growth stimulator for 1 day.
Planting can be done in spring and autumn, but preferably at the end of the year. The place where the Northern Dawn apple tree will grow should be open and sunny, partial shade is acceptable. The area should not be blown by winds. The crop grows best on fertile loams and sandy loams; other soils need to be amended - clay soil should be added to sands, coarse sand or peat to clays, and lime to peat soils.
The planting hole for the Northern Zorka apple tree should not be less than 50 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth. If the volume of the root system is larger, you need to prepare a larger hole. If you need to plant several trees, they are placed at a distance of 2.5-3 m.
Landing sequence:
- Place drainage at the bottom of the planting hole.
- Place the seedling in the center and straighten its roots.
- Fill the voids with a mixture of dug up soil and humus, taken in equal volumes (add 2 kg of ash to the soil mixture).
- Water the seedling when the water settles, compact the soil around it and lay a layer of mulch.
In order for the apple tree to grow evenly, you need to place a support near it, to which you need to tie its trunk.
Growing and care
The variety's agricultural technology includes standard techniques for caring for apple trees. This includes watering, fertilizing, pruning and treating against diseases and pests.
Until the seedling takes root, which is 1-1.5 months, it needs to be watered frequently, about once a week, pouring 1 bucket of water under the plant. After this, the apple tree needs to be watered only in hot weather; if it rains, irrigation is not required.
Both young and adult Severnaya Zorka apple trees need feeding. The tree needs fertilizers for the first time after planting in its third year of life. Before this, he has enough nutrients that were added earlier. Then fertilizers are applied every year - in April and after flowering, when the ovary begins to grow.
At the end of the season, after harvesting, the apple tree needs to be fertilized again - add organic matter to the tree trunk. If the autumn is dry, it is necessary to carry out moisture-recharging watering; in wet weather there is no need to water.
During the first winter, young apple trees especially need shelter
Can be done in the first spring after planting: shorten the central conductor and side shoots that have grown over the summer. Then every year you need to remove damaged branches that have frozen over the winter.
Don’t forget about preventive treatments against fungal diseases and pests. Spraying against fungus should be carried out in the spring at a temperature of 5 °C before buds open, and against harmful insects - after flowering. Fungicides and insecticides must be used.
For the winter, young trees need to be covered: lay a mulch layer on the tree trunk circles. The trunk and branches of newly planted seedlings can be covered with agrofibre to prevent them from being damaged by frost.
Collection and storage
Apples ripen in September. At this time, they need to be plucked from the branches, without waiting for them to fall on their own. Can be stored in the refrigerator and cellars at temperatures up to 10 ° C and humidity up to 70%.Fruits can be packed in small boxes or baskets. Severnaya Zorka apples are used mainly for fresh consumption, but you can make juice from them, make jam, jams and other sweet preparations.
Conclusion
The Northern Zorka apple tree variety is recommended for cultivation in the regions of the North-Western region. Its main advantages are frost resistance, disease resistance, uniform size and presentation of the fruit, as well as their excellent taste.
