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The variety of apple varieties would seem to make it easier to choose the right variety. However, often it is the multitude of varieties that creates the problem of choice - which variety is suitable/not suitable, which apples are better? To make the right choice, you must first familiarize yourself in detail with the characteristics of the variety, find out in detail which apple trees take root best in the area when they ripen. The best option is to ask your neighbors what they grow and treat yourself to some apples. And for experimentation, you can always plant several new varieties.
Description
This apple variety is a winter variety. Apple tree The asterisk was bred through selective breeding by crossing Pepinka Lithuanian (autumn variety) and Anise (winter variety).
Characteristics of the tree: vigorous, at the beginning of growth it has a rounded crown, which as the apple tree matures takes on a spreading and slightly drooping appearance. The basis of the crown is made up of thick skeletal branches. It is mainly the middle and outer parts of the Zvezdochka apple tree that bear fruit. The fruits are set mainly on twigs (annual growth longer than 15 cm) and spears (growth up to 15 cm).
The apples are medium in size and have a flattened-round shape.On the light greenish smooth surface of the Zvezdochka apple, a “blush” of a rich red hue is clearly visible. A distinctive feature of the fruit is a pronounced waxy coating. The popularity of the Zvezdochka variety is explained by the pleasant sweet and sour taste of apples. The color of the pulp is green, sometimes there may be a pinkish tint near the skin.
The Zvezdochka variety is best suited for growing in the central regions. It is not recommended to plant in northern regions, with long and frosty winters.
How to plant and grow an apple tree
Since Zvezdochka seedlings do not tolerate frosty weather with cold winds, the optimal time for planting a tree is the last days of April-early May. During this period, the soil is already better warmed up, and severe damage from night frosts is already unlikely. And the seedling will quite confidently settle down on the site before the onset of autumn.
This tree requires good lighting, otherwise the development of the tree in shaded areas is significantly slowed down. Therefore, it is preferable to choose southern, south-eastern slopes for setting up a garden. Or any open, flat place.
Stages of planting seedlings
- A deep hole measuring 40x40 cm is dug.
- Organic fertilizers are applied - peat, ash.
- The Star apple tree seedling is installed in the center of the hole; the roots must first be carefully straightened. It is highly undesirable to cut off the roots of a tree.
- The hole is dug in and the soil is compacted tightly.In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the root collar of the tree trunk is approximately 6-7 cm above the ground level.
Before planting a seedling, it must be carefully examined - the trunk must be free of damage and signs of disease.
Watering the apple tree
This variety does not tolerate excessive soil moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to build a ditch around the trunk to drain excess rainwater. It is advisable to periodically weed and loosen the soil.
In the first year of planting, it is advisable to water the Zvezdochka apple tree several times a season (2-3 buckets). In subsequent years, the number of waterings can be reduced, while simultaneously increasing the volume of liquid poured (about one and a half to two times). It is necessary to pour water into the circle around the trunk. Naturally, in dry times, watering of apple trees must be increased.
Autumn watering after harvesting (provided there is no rain) is no less important. This measure will help the Zvezdochka apple tree to withstand frost and preserve the tree’s root system. In addition, this will be a prerequisite for laying fruit buds for the next season. The optimal time for watering is late September-early October.
Tree feeding
Provided there is fertile soil, the Zvezdochka variety requires virtually no fertilizing. If it is necessary to add fertilizers, then they begin to do this when planting a Zvezdochka apple tree seedling: add a mixture of peat with ash, humus, and humus. In autumn, you can use complex mineral fertilizers.
Apple crown pruning
This procedure is carried out to increase the productivity of the apple tree, as a disease prevention and to give the tree an aesthetically beautiful shape. It is recommended to carry out annual formation of the crown of the Zvezdochka apple tree in early spring (before the first leaves bloom). In the autumn, only dried and old branches or twigs are removed. Proper pruning is carried out using two methods: thinning and shortening.
- When thinning, they try to increase the illumination of the tree - they remove shoots that interfere with each other’s growth, and shorten the main branch. This procedure allows you to form a crown and is carried out in the spring before the sap begins to flow.
- Timely shortening (pinching of branches) is carried out in order to limit the excessive growth of young shoots of the Zvezdochka apple tree. This procedure is “painless” and does not cause wounds. You can start trimming tree branches in mid-August and continue this useful activity until mid-autumn.
To properly form the tree crown, the first pruning (about 1/3) is carried out after planting the seedling. Showing excessive zeal in this case can be said to be harmful.
Harvesting
As a rule, the Zvezdochka apple tree begins to actively bear fruit 4-5 years after planting. Naturally, the yield of different years may differ, which largely depends on weather conditions. On average, one tree produces a harvest weighing 50-100 kg.
A significant disadvantage of the Zvezdochka variety is the reduction in the size of apples and the deterioration of their taste in mature trees. Regular pruning of apple trees somewhat slows down the aging process of trees.
You can start harvesting in mid-September.Zvezdochka apples ripen during storage. For long-term winter storage, only whole fruits are suitable, without damage, wormholes or scratches. Therefore, you need to pick apples carefully, without jerking.
Boxes and plastic bags are used as containers. Wet apples should not be wiped, so as not to remove the natural waxy layer/patina that ensures good storage of Zvezdochka apples.
How to deal with diseases and pests of apples
The Zvezdochka variety has good resistance to diseases and pests. To prevent infection and disease, it is recommended to know about the most common diseases and pests of trees and fruits:
- scab It occurs most often and can affect not only foliage, but also apples. This is a fungal disease that appears as brownish spots on leaves and fruits. A diseased tree has reduced productivity and winter hardiness, and the quality of the fruit deteriorates. The reasons for the appearance of the disease may be excess humidity and stagnation of air inside the crown, its thickening. For treatment, urea solution and Bordeaux mixture are used. Excellent prevention is cutting off excess branches of the Zvezdochka apple tree in the spring;
- powdery mildew - a fungal disease that affects young shoots and foliage of an apple tree. The main cause of the disease is sudden temperature changes (heavy morning fogs and persistent drought). Signs of damage to the apple tree are the appearance of a whitish coating on the foliage, the falling of leaves and ovaries. They fight the disease by spraying the apple tree with Skor and Topaz.Since the infection persists on branches and foliage, it is recommended as a preventative measure to remove diseased tree shoots during bud break and after the formation of ovaries;
- common apple tree pest green aphid. This insect eats the leaves and shoots of the Asterisk and can cause the death of the tree. The best control method is to spray the apple tree with a 3% karbofoos solution until the buds break. You can replace karbofos with phosphamide, zolone (manufacturers recommend an acceptable concentration of solutions).
To prevent diseases of the Zvezdochka apple tree, it is recommended to carry out some preventive measures:
- annual spring and autumn inspection of apple tree bark;
- thinning the tree crown and timely removal of dry and diseased branches. It is recommended to burn damaged branches and fruits;
- correct and timely treatment of the crown with special preparations;
- early whitewashing of tree trunks.
The Zvezdochka apple tree is loved by summer residents and gardeners due to its excellent taste and easy care. Following simple rules for maintaining apple trees ensures high apple tree productivity for a long period.
