Description of the Antonovka apple tree variety, characteristics and varieties, cultivation and care

The Antonovka apple tree is a good solution for any orchard. The aromatic fruits have been grown in Russia for almost 200 years. In the recent past, the variety was used in industrial horticulture; now it is relevant as genetic material. Its varietal characteristics (frost resistance, taste, ripening period) are still relevant today.

History of variety development

According to the assumption, Antonov apples are not the result of scientific selection. The exact history of their origin is not known even to scientists. It is generally accepted that the variety is an accidental hybrid, which was obtained by crossing a wild apple tree with a cultivated form.

For the first time, the apple tree variety was presented to the scientific community by S.V. Batov at an exhibition held in Novgorod (1896). In honor of Anton, an amateur gardener, in whose garden the apple tree was found, he named it Antonovka Tulskaya, another name is Antonovka Dukhovaya. The second name is given for the unique aroma of ripe apple fruits.

Antonovka was described as an official variety by pomologist M.V. Rytov in his book “Russian Apples”, published by him at the beginning of the 19th century. A detailed study of Antonovka varieties was later (1929) carried out by I.V. Michurin. His works contain descriptions of 26 varieties of Antonovka.

Growing areas

Fragrant apples are still loved by summer residents, despite the abundance of new hybrid forms and varieties. Regions and areas where you can find different varieties of Antonovka in gardens:

• Moscow;
• Penza;
• Tula;
• Bryansk;
• Kursk;
• Voronezhskaya.

These varieties of apple trees are grown in Belarus and Ukraine. Certain, especially frost-resistant varieties can be found in the gardens of Altai, Ural, and Siberian summer residents; Antonovka is also grown in the climate of the Far East.

Descriptions and characteristics of the variety

The Antonovka brand unites more than 200 varieties of cultivated apple trees. All of them grow in different climatic zones. Varietal characteristics and lifespan of different Antonovka species may differ; climate influences them. Trees are long-lived. The fruiting period can last up to 40 years. In the scientific literature there is a description of single specimens that have reached 200 years of age.

Tree height and crown width

As the apple tree matures, it reaches an impressive size. The main skeletal branches are powerful, spreading widely to the sides, forming a spreading crown resembling a ball. Its diameter can reach up to 10 meters with a tree height of 6-8 m.

Despite such an impressive size of the branches, they do not need supports. They safely withstand the load in the most productive years. The bark on the shoots of the apple tree is brown, the color of the leaves is bright green. The shape of the leaf blade is oval, the surface is wrinkled, the edge is uneven. During the flowering period, the apple tree is strewn with large white and pink flowers.

Description of fruits

Antonovka fruits are rich in pectin (14%), sugars (9.2%), and contain:

• ascorbic acid;
• P-active and tannins;
• one percent titratable acids.

The shape of the fruit is round; there may be slight ribbing at the bottom. The pulp is cream-colored with a yellowish tint. It tastes sweet and sour and contains a sufficient amount of juice. Its aroma is rich and pleasant. The skin is green with a yellow tint and turns yellow during storage.

Apples fall into the large category, their average weight is 120-150 g. Larger fruits weighing up to 300 g are rare. Ripe fruits can be stored for 3 to 4 months. Over time, the taste develops more sweetness.

Pollination

All Antonovka subspecies need pollinators.It is necessary to have several fruit-bearing apple trees in the garden in order to have a harvest of fragrant apples in the fall. Proven varieties that increase the yield of Antonovka:

• Pepin saffron;
• Welsey;
• Anise.

Maturation period

Antonovka varieties differ in terms of ripening. All of them are late, they are classified as winter forms, ripening within 110-120 days. Fruit harvesting begins after September 15-20.

Variety	Pick-up time	Removable maturity time	Time of consumer ripeness
Dessert	September 10-25	From September 20 to October 6	From October 6 to March 5
Ordinary	September 21-30	October 1-10	From October 11 to April 5
Golden
New

Harvest

The end of September is the period for collecting ripening apples. It can last until mid-October. The harvest increases as the tree matures. According to statistics, a healthy 20-year-old apple tree produces about 200 kg of fruit. Record yields were recorded - from 500 to 1000 kg per tree.

In the first half of their life, apple trees bear fruit annually, later fruiting becomes periodic, the tree blooms and bears fruit in the first year, and rests in the second. The entire crop must be harvested before the first autumn frost. They ripen and acquire a characteristic golden-yellow color during storage.

Transportability and storage

The fruits of Antonovka, grown in the northern regions of the Russian Federation, are stored longer. The harvest of southern varieties retains its consumer properties for less than 2-3 weeks. In order to enjoy the fragrant, tasty fruits longer, apples are stored according to certain rules:

• do not shake the tree, remove fruits from the branches with your hands, put fallen apples for processing;
• for winter storage, collect fruits 1-2 weeks before technical ripeness;
• treat storage containers with fungicide;
• transfer the apples carefully so as not to damage the skin;
• Damaged fruits should be discarded and processed;
• Place fruits in containers in layers;
• store the crop at a temperature of +2 °C.

In the room where Antonovka is stored, it is necessary to equip a ventilation system.

Frost resistance

Antonovka is not afraid of frosty winters; summer residents of the North-Western region grow apple trees without any problems. In terms of frost resistance, only Cinnamon striped, Anise and Grushovka Moskovskaya compete with it.

Adult trees are frost-resistant, young seedlings can freeze in winters with little snow, and they also suffer from early autumn frosts. To protect the roots from freezing, the tree trunk circle is mulched, and the trunk is wrapped in newspapers, old burlap, and covered with spruce branches.

Resistance to diseases and pests

A systematic approach to disease prevention and good agricultural technology reduce the likelihood of disease to a minimum. Antonovka vulgare is resistant to scab. The probability of powdery mildew appearing on the leaves of Antonovka is average.

Rules for planting a tree

Growing a productive tree takes years. A lot of time passes before the apple tree produces fruit. The health of the future apple tree is influenced by the quality of planting, the correct choice of location and subsequent care.

Optimal timing

Planting is carried out in spring. They begin planting work after the soil has warmed up to 5-10 °C. At this time, the buds on the fruit trees swell, but do not bloom. In areas with warm winters, early autumn planting is allowed.

The time of planting work is calculated so that the seedling has time to take root. On average, rooting takes up to 2-3 months.

Selection and preparation of a site

Overmoistening negatively affects the root system of Antonovka.This is taken into account when choosing a location. The best solution is the southern or southeastern part of the garden, protected from the north wind and draft. Apple trees grow well on southern slopes.

The area should be well illuminated by the sun; the presentation and taste of the fruit depends on the degree of illumination. The more sun there is, the juicier and tastier the apples. There are no special requirements for the soil, but the tree develops and bears fruit better on black soil and loam.

In the fall, the site is prepared for planting:

• dig up;
• select weed roots;
• add organic matter - rotted manure 6 kg/m², peat 10 kg/m²;
• add mineral fertilizers (superphosphate 30 g, potassium salt 35 g).

Preparing seedlings

Any seedling is inspected before planting. The roots are tested for freezing by making a small incision. Yellow or brown color of the cut is a sign of tissue damaged by frost.

All roots damaged by frost, rotten and dried out, are cut out. The work is carried out with clean and sharp tools. Seedlings with a dried root system are soaked in water for 2 days. If after this time the plant has not had time to recover, then it is thrown away.

Process and scheme

When planting fruit trees in rows, the rows are marked in increments of 5-6 m. The distance in a row should be 3-4 meters. The numbers are not pulled out of thin air. The crown of an adult tree is wide (up to 8 m), this is taken into account, and holes are dug in increments of 3-4 m. A support stake up to 1.2 m long is installed in the prepared hole, and a hill is formed in the center.

The tree is placed on it, the roots are spread over the surface of the hill. The hole is filled with fertile soil and compacted without much pressure so as not to disturb the root system. Make sure that the root collar is not covered with soil; it should rise 5-7 cm above ground level.Finally, the seedling is well watered and tied to a stake.
Seasonal care for apple trees

The variety is not picky, but requires care. The seasonal care package includes preparing the soil for planting, organizing watering and fertilizing.

Soil care

Care begins in autumn and early spring. The soil between the rows is dug up and the tree trunk circle is loosened. A standard set of fertilizers is applied: superphosphate, potassium nitrate, ash. In spring - urea. After application, water the soil abundantly.

To retain moisture, the soil is mulched. Use any organic materials:

• peat;
• sawdust;
• humus;
• compost;
• manure.

Using manure has a good effect. Moisture is retained in the soil, and the plant receives nitrogen nutrition. The thickness of the mulch layer is 8 cm.

Fertilizer application

In order for the apple tree to tolerate winter frosts well and not get sick, fertilizing is carried out three times. Dry mineral and organic fertilizers are applied for the first time in early spring during soil cultivation.

Before flowering, trees are watered at the root with a solution of mineral fertilizers or mullein infusion. The fertilizer rate is taken from the instructions; the mullein infusion is diluted with water 1:10. Any fertilizing is combined with abundant watering, this helps prevent chemical burns of the roots.

Disease and pest control

In northern regions, where summers are damp and cool, apple trees are susceptible to fruit and leaf scab. In areas where winters are warm, trees suffer from powdery mildew. Garden pests are a danger in any climate, especially to young seedlings.

Prevention measures that reduce risks:

• collection and destruction of fallen leaves;
• autumn digging of trunk circles and row spacing;
• whitewashing of skeletal branches and trunk;
• autumn treatment of the crown with copper sulfate;
• early spring treatment with pesticides (“Nitrafen”, “DNOC”);
• 3-fold treatment against pest invasion with “Fufanon” during the growing season;
• To prevent scab, trees are sprayed with fungicides “Skor”, “Horus”, “Fitosporin”.

To save the crop from scab, use the Strobi product. Treatment carried out in the initial phase of the disease stops the development of the disease. Prevention and treatment of powdery mildew is carried out according to the same scheme as scab.

Among the pests, the harvest is threatened by the codling moth; its larvae (caterpillars) eat away apples. Other harmful insects, scale insects, aphids, apple flower beetle, are rare guests on Antonovka. To protect against them, traditional preventive measures are used.

Pruning and crown formation

They begin to manage the crown of the apple tree when the tree reaches 2 years of age. From this year and every year thereafter, damaged and weak branches are pruned at Antonovka. If desired, formative pruning of a 2-year-old seedling is carried out:

• cut off the crown of the central shoot;
• skeletal branches are shortened by a third of the entire length.

As the crown grows and fills, the side shoots of the apple tree are periodically shortened. A third or half of all perennial ringlets are cut out from twenty-year-old trees.

Protection from cold and rodents

During the first years, the trunks of young seedlings are protected from pests by covering them with a chalk solution; mature trees (trunk, branches) can be whitened with lime. To protect against rodents and low temperatures, the trunk is wrapped in old burlap, mesh or spruce (pine) spruce branches.

Mulch is poured over the entire area of ​​the apple tree's trunk circle to prevent the roots from freezing in winter. Use what is available:

• compost;
• humus;
• rotted sawdust;
• peat.

The mulch layer to fully protect Antonovka roots from freezing should be at least 10 cm.

Features of the flowering and fruiting period

Ovaries appear during cross-pollination. You may be left without an apple harvest if there are no other pollinating apple trees in the garden.

Ripening dates and how to determine the ripeness of apples

Apple trees of different varieties of Antonovka mostly ripen late. They begin to be collected before the onset of technical ripeness. On average, the harvest time for popular autumn-winter varieties of Antonovka falls in the autumn months (September, October).

In August, only the summer forms of Antonovka ripen, which have a less rich taste and a short shelf life. Summer residents in the Moscow region harvest apples in late October; the same varieties in Ukraine and the Krasnodar Territory ripen in the last ten days of August and early September.

Ripe apples are identified by the color of the seeds. If they are white, then the fruit is not ripe; if they are brown, then the fruit is ripe. It is recommended to pick apples for storage when they are not ripe; they reach their maturity while they are in storage. The skin changes color during storage, and the taste of the pulp becomes more intense.

Existing types

The data collected by scientists indicates the presence of a large number of subspecies of apple trees. The main characteristics of the old and relatively new forms of Antonovka have few differences. The most common varieties are shown in the table.

Variety	Peculiarity
Antonovka Bulb	Long-term storage of fruits
Antonovka Stepnaya	Grown in regions where summers are dry
Antonovka Belaya	Found in Belarus
Antonovka Sweet	Very little storage
Antonovka Autumn	Low-lying, large fruits

Ordinary

The fruit is round with ribs. During the harvest period, the color of the apples is green, with a slight yellow tint present. The skin of Antonovka turns yellow during storage. The pulp has a sweet and sour taste, light yellow, grainy structure.Apple fruits are aromatic and sweet, the sugar content in the pulp exceeds 9%.

Advantages of Antonovka ordinary:

• winter hardiness;
• high-quality raw materials for various types of workpieces;
• seedlings are used as a rootstock;
• fruits tolerate long-term transportation well;
• crumbling is low.

Disadvantages of the apple tree: average (weak) resistance to scab pathogens, irregular fruiting.

Dessert

The work of S.I. Isaev, he used genetic material: Pepin Saffron, Antonovka vulgaris. Winter hybrid. The tree's growth vigor is average; with age, the crown acquires a rounded shape; in the first years it is spherical.

The leaves, green with a yellow tint, have jagged edges. The flowers are white-pink, large. Description of fruits:

• weight 200 g;
• taste with a slight sourness;
• the skin is light green in color, with a creamy tint;
• red-striped blush;
• the pulp is aromatic.

The level of agrotechnical background influences the yield. On average, the yield from one tree is 40-120 kg. Fruiting is earlier, begins at 3 years. The fruits can be stored for up to 6 months. The apple tree's resistance to frost is average. Regions recommended for growing Antonovka dessert:

• south of the Russian Federation;
• Center stripe;
• Ukraine;
• Belarus.

In areas where winters are harsh, only frost-resistant rootstock is used. In the gardens of the Urals, the hybrid is grown in stale form.

Golden

Antonovka ripens in the last ten days of August; according to its ripening period, it is included in the group of late-summer varieties. The fruits are not long-lasting. Unlike other varieties, the taste does not become more intense during storage. The average fruit weight ranges from 150 to 180 g. The skin on apples is straw-yellow. The fruiting period begins 5 years after planting. The advantage of Antonovka Zolotoy is the resistance of the variety to the scab pathogen.

Antonovka Novaya

Selection by S. F. Chernenko, the variety was created for cultivation in the Central regions of the Russian Federation and gardens of the Black Earth Region. The common Antonovka and the wonderful apple tree of the national selection Babushkino were taken as genetic material. The maximum productivity of Antonovka Novaya was recorded at 445 kg, the usual apple tree productivity indicators fluctuate around 200 kg.

The plant is tall, its height is from 5 to 6 meters. The crown of Antonovka is wide, up to 8 m, spreading, not prone to thickening, and has a rounded shape. Fruit characteristics:

• weight up to 120 g, individual specimens up to 200 g;
• the skin is light yellow;
• blurred, red blush;
• the structure of the pulp is dense, the color is white, there is juiciness;
• the taste is classic sweet and sour, there are spicy notes;
• the aroma is moderate;
• The shape is onion-shaped, regular, with slight ribbing.

The apple tree begins to bear fruit in the 4th or 5th year of life. Antonovka harvest time is from late September to mid-October. Consumer ripeness occurs in November-December, the fruits are stored until February. Advantages of Antonovka Nova: winter hardiness, productivity. Disadvantage: susceptibility to scab.

Gardeners who grow Antonovka give a positive assessment to the adaptive abilities of the apple tree. The productivity of trees depends on the climate and the quality of summer and autumn care. The harvest is stored for a long time and serves as an excellent raw material for jams, preserves, liqueurs, tinctures, and soaked apples recipe was invented specifically for Antonovka.