Apple tree Starkrimson

For its large red apples, which are also tasty, and for the small size of the tree, gardeners fell in love with the Starkrimson variety. It is known that the apple tree of this variety is demanding in terms of growing conditions and is not resistant to diseases. However, the Starkrimson apple tree does not lose its popularity.

History of selection

Starkrimson is an apple tree that arrived in Russia from distant America, the state of Iowa. It was there that the result of the work of breeders was the development of the winter apple tree Delicious, which was the ancestor of the Starkrimson variety. And only in 1921 it was possible to grow several trees whose apples were different from previous varieties. In particular, they were dark red in color. The apple variety was named Starkrimson - a star of bright red or crimson color.

Around the same time, the American apple tree gained popularity in the former Soviet Union. They began to grow it in gardens in the Caucasus, in the Stavropol Territory.Gradually, interest in the variety declined, but Starkrimson apple trees are still cultivated by private gardeners in the southern outskirts of the country. There are no fewer people wishing to buy seedlings of this variety.

Description of the variety and characteristics

Apple trees of this variety are classified as spur trees. The fruits are characterized by the following features:

• long shelf life;
• beautiful appearance of fruit;
• great taste.

Mature tree height

Apple trees of this variety are not tall. They take up little space on the site and are therefore convenient for growing in a small garden area. By the age of six, the height of the apple tree does not exceed 2-2.5 meters.

Fruit

On the same tree, apples may be different in size and shape. Small fruits are round, while large ones are elongated and cone-shaped. The fruits of the Starkrimson apple tree are fragrant, plump, with a bright red blush. Apples are sweet, without sourness. The skin is light, loose, smooth, as if polished and covered with a delicate, barely noticeable fluff. In September the fruits acquire a mature color.

Apples are well preserved until spring, do not rot or spoil. The taste becomes even better, richer.

Productivity

Young apple trees begin to bear fruit at the age of 2-3 years. Starkrimson is considered a high-yielding variety. With proper care and favorable growing conditions, you can harvest up to 160 kg of apples from one tree.

Winter hardiness

The Starkrimson apple tree does not tolerate winter well. The slightest drop in air temperature in winter leads to freezing of the shoots. This is a big minus of the Starkrimson variety. Apple trees can be grown in regions with mild, not too frosty winters.In Russia, these are southern regions, such as Stavropol Territory, Krasnodar Territory, Rostov Region and others.

Disease resistance

The Starkrimson apple tree is resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew and fire blight. However, it is affected by other diseases, as well as pests:

• scab;
• codling moth;
• mice, moles.

Crown width

The crown of the trees looks like an inverted pyramid. The branches are not spreading, close, crowded, but sparse. This type of crown is characteristic of spur fruit trees. They have short internodes, the buds are located next to each other. The leaves on the branches are medium in size. Tree pruning is rarely done.

Self-fertility and pollinators

Starkrimson is a self-sterile variety. In order for an apple tree to bear fruit and produce a generous harvest, it requires third-party pollinators. Fruit trees of the following varieties can play their role:

• Jonagold Deposta;
• Jonathan;
• Golden Delicious.

Trees must grow within 2 km of the Starkrimson apple tree.

Frequency of fruiting

The Starkrimson apple tree annually pleases its owners with a rich harvest. The trees bear fruit every year.

Tasting assessment

The fruits are tasty and sweet. Score - from 4.5 points to 4.8 out of 5 - for taste and appearance. The longer the apples lie, the more pronounced their taste. Apples become juicier and more fragrant.

Landing

Before planting a Starkrimson apple tree on a plot, it is very important to carefully approach the purchase of seedlings:

1. It is better to plant young trees no older than 2 years.
2. The trunk of the seedling should not be damaged.
3. The bark normally does not contain layering or thickening.
4. The trunk under the bark should be the color of young greenery.
5. The root system is light and moist.
6. The leaves on the seedlings are not smooth on the reverse side, but have tiny tubercles.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

Choosing a place to plant a seedling is of utmost importance. It should be sunny, well lit, and inaccessible to drafts. Starkrimson apple trees do not like areas with groundwater.

1. For each seedling, a hole is dug, the depth of which is at least 70-85 cm.
2. The bottom is filled with soil with humus; you can add fallen leaves or sand.
3. Pour 20 liters of water into the hole.
4. You need to lower the seedling into the hole, carefully straighten the roots and cover it with soil.

in autumn

Planting of seedlings is carried out in autumn and spring. For fruit trees growing in the central regions of Russia, autumn planting is most appropriate. However, Starkrimson will not survive the harsh winter. That is why the Starkrimson apple tree is planted exclusively in southern regions with a mild winter climate.

in spring

It seems that planting a fruit tree will not be difficult. But in order for the seedling to take root well and turn into a strong tree that produces a generous harvest, you need to know some of the subtleties of agricultural technology.

Starkrimson apple trees are heat-loving. It is better to plant them in the spring. The advantage of spring planting is that before the winter cold arrives, the Starkrimson apple trees will get stronger and be able to survive the winter.

For spring planting, it is better to prepare the ground in the fall:

1. The soil should be light, without accumulation of groundwater.
2. The area needs to be dug up and cleared of all weed.
3. In the spring, before planting, you need to thoroughly loosen the soil.

Care

Any plant needs care. The Starkrimson apple tree will need to be given more attention than other fruit trees.In order for the harvests to be rich, and the tree itself to become strong and healthy, careful care is needed, namely:

• ensure sufficient watering;
• feed;
• carry out disease prevention measures;
• loosen the soil.

Watering and fertilizing

The Starkrimson apple tree does not like dry soil. It needs to be watered a lot, at least once every 5 days in the absence of heat and after 3 days when drought occurs.

In order for the soil to retain moisture longer and protect the tree from drought, you should definitely apply mulch from sawdust or the bark of old trees. Mulching will protect the soil from evaporation during the hot season and will serve as protection against various types of harmful insects and rodents.

Trees need to be fed regularly. The choice of feeding depends on the time of year. In spring, all plants, including any apple tree, need nitrogen. Closer to autumn, the Starkrimson apple tree will need potassium and phosphorus.

Preventive spraying

It is easier to prevent any disease than to fight it. Scab very often affects Starkrimson apple trees. To reduce the risk of disease, trees are sprayed for preventive purposes:

1. In the spring, a treatment procedure is carried out with 1% Bordeaux solution.
2. The ground around the tree is treated with ammonia.

Trimming

Apple trees of the Starkrimson variety do not require regular pruning, since the branches are quite sparse. Once every few years, you can carry out sanitary pruning of damaged or diseased shoots.

Shelter for the winter: protection from rodents

With the onset of winter, when the harvest is harvested and the dacha chores are over, caring for fruit trees should not stop. The Starkrimson apple tree needs to be prepared for a long, cold winter.For this purpose, apple trees are covered, especially young ones. But not only so that the trees survive the winter and do not freeze. The Starkrimson apple tree is protected from rodents such as hares, rats, and mice.

Strong gusty winds and bright spring sun can also cause damage to the bark and a poor harvest. In this case, the fruits will not reach normal size, will be small, and the damaged areas will become a source of various diseases.

The trunks of adult apple trees are covered with special agrofibre, roofing felt, and cellophane film. You can scatter branches of raspberries, cherries, and pine needles around the tree. They will help get rid of rodents. If the Starkrimson apple tree is young, caring gardeners cover the crown with insulation or cover it with snow.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Speaking about the pros and cons of the Starkrimson apple variety, it is difficult to decide why the variety is so good. After all, such an indicator, for example, as cold intolerance for gardeners in the central part of Russia will be a disadvantage of the variety, but for gardeners in the southern regions it will be the norm.

As can be seen from the table, the variety has many more advantages than disadvantages.

Prevention and protection from diseases and pests

Starkrimson apple trees suffer most from scab, codling moths, and rodents.

If preventive spraying does not help, and scab appears, the fight against it must be started immediately.

How to recognize scab:

1. Yellow specks appear on the leaves.
2. A gray layer appears on the outside of the leaf.
3. The leaves turn black and fly off. The disease affects apples.
4. The fruits turn black.

The following measures will help protect the tree from death and preserve the fruits: removing fallen leaves and diseased fruits, spraying with 1% Bordeaux solution. The last treatment is carried out 25 days before harvesting the apples. The ground around the apple tree is treated with 10% ammonia. Trees provide shelter from rodents.

Conclusion

Growing Starkrimson apples in the garden requires additional attention and care, however, the excellent taste and beauty of the fruit are worth it. Large, plump, fragrant apples will delight adults and children until spring.

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