Apple tree Zhigulevskoe

Breeders have always been in search of new varieties, so they often experimented with crossing a variety of varieties. For example, one of the crosses occurred between an American apple variety called Wagner and a Russian variety called Borovinka... As a result, an improved variety appeared, which was named the Zhigulevskoye apple tree. The variety appeared back in 1936, after some improvements it became popular in the central regions of Russia, since it was there that the tree rooted and developed best. Later, the Zhigulevskoye apple variety was included in the State Register of Varieties and zoned in almost all regions of Russia, in particular for Siberia, the Middle Volga region. Thus, the Zhigulevskoe apple variety was recommended for planting in various regions, as it has many positive features and characteristics.

Introduction

In this article, we will dwell in more detail on the description of the varietal characteristics of the Zhigulevskoye apple tree, and also talk about the features of planting and care. The variety will be interesting for experienced gardeners, as well as for those who, in general, do not yet have any experience in planting apple trees, and this will really be a fairly successful start in growing a plant. In the article, you can also find some information not only about caring for the plant, but also how to deal with the most common diseases and pests that can be very dangerous for the apple tree itself.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: variety description and characteristics

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe is a variety belonging to the late autumn group. At the same time, as gardeners note, the variety is distinguished by a high level of yield, since from a tree that has reached a certain age, you can collect about 200-250 kilograms of apples, which will have an incredible taste, excellent presentation and keeping quality.

Gardeners are advised to thin out the Zhigulevskoye apple tree and, in particular, the ovary in order to increase the level of fruiting, as well as in order to get full-fledged apples that will be perfectly developed, and which can be grown not only on private estates, but also on an industrial scale ... When thinning, it is also necessary to remove fruits that are damaged in any way or that do not look strong and full enough. If you leave the fruits in the same place, then this can lead to the fact that the next year no fruits will be set on the tree at all. So in general, thinning and pruning with subsequent care should be taken as seriously as possible. When the tree is still very young, fruiting is carried out regularly, annually, but as it grows older, the yield decreases, and fruiting from the category of annual passes to the category of periodic. If the gardener looks after the tree, it may be likely that even at an older age the tree will bear fruit perfectly.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

The Zhigulevskoe apple variety is quite winter-hardy, if apple trees are grown in warmer southern regions, then it should not be additionally hidden or covered with the onset of the first cold weather. If the tree grows in a relatively temperate region, where temperature changes nevertheless occur, then it is worthwhile to make additional protection for the tree, otherwise the apple tree simply will not survive the winter, and next year you can not expect at all that the yield will be abundant.It so happens that a tree is under severe stress, and as a result, fruiting may not occur. In order for the Zhiguli apple tree to become more resistant to weather changes and frost, experienced gardeners recommend grafting this variety into varieties that are more resistant to frost. In this case, the following varieties can be used as a stock - Anise apple, Striped or Lingonberry. All of them, ideally, can also become good pollinators for the Zhigulevskoe apple tree.

The maximum height of the Zhigulevskoye apple tree is about three meters. If it is grafted onto dwarf rootstocks, then the height does not exceed two meters. The crown can be located high enough, it can be either pyramidal or spherical. It does not differ in strong thickening, so sunlight can easily break through into the crown. As a result, it turns out that the fruits receive enough lighting, and this has a great effect on the plant and its yield.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

One way or another, the Zhigulevskoye apple variety has a rather low tendency to form shoots, while the buds wake up well after frosts, so the plant as a whole has excellent chances to recover after prolonged frosts. Leaves and flowers are quite typical for apple crops, do not deviate in any way and do not differ from ordinary apple crops. Flowering, when compared with other varieties, occurs early enough, if return spring frosts are determined, this can lead to the fact that the flowers freeze, and that this will negatively affect the ovary of the crop and, in general, the yield of the apple tree. The first fruits from the Zhigulevskoye apple tree can be harvested five years after the seedling was placed in the open field and adapted to new conditions. Moreover, if the stock was carried out for a dwarf planting, then the first crop appears approximately two to three years after the seedling was placed on the site. At the same time, the fruits are formed at first in a small amount, but the older the tree becomes, the more fruits are observed on it, and this, of course, affects the choice of gardeners ambiguously: many want to immediately get a bountiful and large harvest, but in life everything happens significantly otherwise.

In general, the Zhigulevski apples themselves ripen at the same time; at the end of August, full-fledged fruits appear that have an attractive appearance. When the fruits are ripe, they have a light aroma and excellent taste characteristics. Also, fruiting may shift to the very beginning of September, it all depends solely on the area in which the apples grow, and what climatic conditions develop there. Apples can be stored for a very long time: up to three months, and sometimes even longer. The main thing for storage is to choose a dry and cool place, and the apples should not be lined or scratched, otherwise the process of decay may begin.

Zhigulevskie apples are large enough, on average, the weight of one fruit can reach two hundred grams, sometimes the maximum weight reaches 350 grams. The shape is round, sometimes the apples can be quite wide and slightly flattened. The surface may be a little bumpy, but again, this is only the specificity of the variety, nothing more. There are several large seeds inside the fruit, which can then be used for planting. The skin of the fruit is very dense and oily. The main color of the fruit is light, yellow, sometimes red. The pulp is soft and creamy, tender, sweet, a slight sourness is felt, but in general, gardeners leave excellent reviews about this variety, since it has a universal purpose, and this is the advantage of the variety.It is also worth noting that the apples do not fully ripen on the tree, but about 10-14 days after the harvest has been harvested and settled down a bit. Then it reaches full ripeness, the fruits are saturated with even greater taste, become less crunchy.

Apple variety Zhigulevskoye needs other pollinating varieties. But they may not exist - in this case, it is necessary to place bee hives near the trees. Fragrant flowers can attract bees and pollinating insects, which means that the harvest from this can become more abundant, tasty, large. If there are no pollinating trees nearby, and it is also not possible to organize an apiary, then in this case the gardener must resort to artificial pollination. In this case, at times, this method becomes even more effective than the natural one, and many professional and experienced gardeners talk about this. If pollination was successful, then in this case the yield can increase by one and a half, or even twice, which is certainly a huge plus.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

The apple tree of the Zhigulevskoye variety has a very large number of positive characteristics and qualities, that is, advantages. It is thanks to them that gardeners so often plant the Zhigulevskaya apple tree on their site. These qualities and advantages include the following aspects:

• Zhigulevskoe apples are low-calorie, so they can be consumed by those people who follow a very strict diet and do not want to gain excess weight
• fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. These are iodine, iron and potassium, vitamin C, which are so necessary for a person to maintain normal life.
• apples are versatile when it comes to the use of fruits. They can be eaten fresh, as well as making jams and jams, and other dishes. Also apples are suitable for cooking dried fruits.
• apples of the Zhigulevskoye variety have high commercial qualities. This means that they can be grown both for private purposes and for industrial purposes - that is, for industrial production.
• The variety belongs to the fast-growing and high-yielding group - these are two qualities that are incredibly appreciated by gardeners. Of course, this is the huge advantage of this variety over many other apple subgroups and varieties.
• the Zhigulevskoe apple tree shows very fast growth, especially when compared with many other varieties. As experienced gardeners say, this variety is great for growing in intensive gardens - where growers grow fast crops that still yield bountiful and quality crops.
• if you carry out regular anti-aging pruning, and, in general, carefully monitor the plant, then there is the likelihood that the lifespan of the variety will increase, and this is an absolute advantage. So, it is thanks to pruning that the gardener can give the plant a "second life"
• the Zhigulevskoe apple tree is resistant to many diseases. In particular, it has a high immunity to diseases such as scab.

Also, of course, it is worth turning to some of the disadvantages of this variety, although experienced gardeners say that they can completely overlap with the advantages. The disadvantages include the fact that the fruits cannot be stored for a long time - the pulp darkens, acquires a not very pleasant taste and aroma. Also, the variety can be affected by the moth. - in principle, this is one of the most beloved varieties of this pest, which should be paid special attention to. Also, an apple tree in not the most favorable weather conditions can be attacked by rodents, since they also need to eat something, and therefore they cannot refuse to feast on blocky pulp.

If you improperly handle the crown and water the plant, then there is a high probability that the deciduous part and the crown will receive severe burns.It should also be noted that the variety has a rather mediocre winter hardiness. If the gardener does not take any measures, there are no effective measures, then there is a high risk that the tree will freeze, and then completely get sick and die. If recurrent frosts are observed, then this can also lead to the fact that the flowers and flower buds are frostbitten and they crumble. Because of this, the yield level will decrease. These characteristics fully reflect the characteristics of the apple variety. In the next part of this article, we will dwell in more detail on what are the features of planting the Zhigulevskoye apple tree, as well as caring for it.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: video about the variety

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: planting varieties

It is recommended to plant apple seedlings of the Zhigulevskoye variety in the spring or autumn. For planting, the seedling needs loamy soils, as well as soils that are leached. It can also be sandy loam areas, in which the seedlings also take root and adapt perfectly, which is a huge plus. At the same time, it must be remembered that this place must be well protected from drafts and winds, and at the same time it must be well lit, since apple trees need sunlight.

For planting Zhigulevskoe apple trees, it is recommended to take one-year or two-year seedlings. The root system must be sufficiently developed and healthy. There should be no damage to the roots, and no excess fungus or mold should form on the roots, as this can be a sure sign that the plant is infected and that the seedling may die at any time. The gardener prepares a hole for planting in advance, focusing on the planting period, as well as on what the climatic conditions and the area for planting seedlings are. The depth of the pit should be at least sixty centimeters, and the diameter should be about one meter. The bottom of the fossa is well loosened, since due to this, more oxygen can enter the root system, which is necessary for the full development of trees. It is also worth remembering that in addition to the soil, there must be organic matter and a certain amount of mineral fertilizers in the pit. Ideally, potassium and phosphorus saturate the soil sufficiently, so they should also be delivered to the soil before planting.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

Then a Zhigulevskoye apple-tree seedling is placed in the pit and covered with soil mixture. Further, the near-trunk circle is watered abundantly. For this, settled warm water is suitable, from two to three buckets of water will be enough. Also, the soil should be mulched. Thanks to the mulch, moisture will evaporate more slowly, and it will also reduce the risk of the plant being attacked by pests and insects. Frosts can come unexpectedly, and the plant does not always tolerate them successfully. Therefore, it must also be protected with thermal insulation material.

To get a good and plentiful harvest, it is also necessary to give the Zhigulevskoe apple trees appropriate care. To do this, it is worth watering the plant in a timely manner, pruning the tree (the tree should be pruned for both sanitary and formative purposes). Also, the crown and bark are sprayed with agronomic chemicals that will protect the plant. Top dressing and preparation for winter are two more important care conditions, thanks to which the apple tree will give a bountiful and very tasty harvest. As for watering, it is worth making about four abundant waterings per season. A young tree needs about four buckets of water, but an adult tree needs a little more water - 5-8 buckets. The water should be settled, it is undesirable to add cold water.

After the Zhigulevskoe apple tree has been watered, the soil around must be thoroughly loosened. You can also add a layer of mulch, humus, or hay.Watering should be monitored and regulated depending on weather and climatic conditions, air temperature and rainfall, which can also affect the general condition of the plant and its health. As for the pruning process, you should start pruning the crown in the second year after the seedling has been left in the open field. He has already managed to take root, and the sooner such care and formative measures are carried out, the faster the plant will get used to its shape. The form is formed around the main stem itself, you cannot cut off an abundant amount of branches, but there is no need to thicken the crown too much. It is also worthwhile to carefully examine the plant, remove all damaged branches, branches that have already weakened and dry out. If this is not done, then the plant may not only lose its appearance, but also may lose the ability to produce a normal crop, since the damaged parts of the plant will take a large amount of strength and mineral resources from the tree itself. Thus, grooming measures are not only the prerogative, but also the responsibility of the gardener, and he must follow all the rules if he is focused on getting a decent result.

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

The apple tree Zhigulevskoye very often attacks the moth, and in order to prevent this, the gardener must carry out some preventive treatments and measures. It is worthwhile to remove fallen leaves or branches, fallen fruits in time. Cleaning the area around the tree is a very important point, which also needs to be paid attention to when talking about maintenance measures. If, nevertheless, an insect was found, then it is necessary to install special traps on the trunk, where the moths will fall. Caterpillars that are trapped must be removed from the site and burned. So that the moths never return to the site, you should also spray the crown and bark of the tree with a solution based on wormwood. The smell will scare off insects, and in this case, they really will not return to the site.

Also, powdery mildew can be found on the Zhigulevskoye apple variety. To get rid of it, or prevent it from occurring at all, it is necessary to use some effective drugs. Experienced gardeners recommend using Skor or Topaz for these purposes. The solution of karbofos is also excellent for processing wood - it is not dangerous for humans or for the future harvest, and at the same time it is very effective. When a tree enters the stage of active growth, then it needs mineral mixtures that contain a sufficient amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. In order for the shoots and buds to develop fully, as well as the deciduous part, the plant needs calcium. For the formation of fruit buds and, accordingly, for the ovary of fruits, it is necessary to use phosphorus fertilizer, mineral additives, organic fertilizers. Organic matter is used in the form of humus or compost, and fertilizers are best laid in the autumn, just while the soil is being actively dug up. Humus can be used not fresh - you can add phosphorus or superphosphate, as well as potassium salt, since it is these components that have huge advantages over many other additives.

Conclusion

Apple tree Zhigulevskoe: photo of the variety

Among other things, in no case should we forget that, like any culture, trees need protection from frost and cold weather. Therefore, right before the onset of winter cold weather, it is recommended to dig up the trunk circle, do it very carefully. The earth is also filled with plant mulch, since it is she who will be able to protect the plant from the attacks of pests and from freezing not the soil, but rather the root system. The bark is covered with protective agromaterial, burlap and roofing felt, to also protect it from frost.If the bark of the Zhigulevskoe apple variety freezes, it will simply crumble, and this will make the plant even more vulnerable. If you follow all these protection measures, you can achieve excellent results, protect the plant from the attacks of pests, get the maximum amount of harvest from the tree, which, of course, is a very important part of the care measures.