Apple trees of the Celandine variety are high-yielding and cold-resistant. Their main advantage is their high resistance to scab, due to the presence of an immune gene. Celandine was bred through selective breeding and is considered an improved version of the famous Antonovka. A detailed description of the variety, all about its advantages and disadvantages in the material below.
About the variety
The Celandine apple tree has gained popularity due to its high frost resistance and immunity to certain diseases. This variety tolerates air temperatures down to -40 C well, producing a bountiful harvest by the end of summer.The ripening period is described as winter. However, the first fruits are harvested at the end of August. They will not have a rich taste, so the early harvest is used mainly for processing.
History of creation
The variety was bred by Russian breeders in 1977. Celandine is an improved hybrid of Antonovka Ordinary, adapted for growth in the climatic conditions of the northern regions of Russia. Within a few years, the variety passed the necessary tests and was included in the state Register of fruit trees recommended for the Central Black Earth region.
Description
The apple tree is medium-sized and reaches a height of 3-4 meters. The fruits are large (on average 120 grams), covered with a glossy yellow peel. On the sides there may be a blush of blurred vertical stripes of reddish shades.
The apples do not taste like dessert, but they are rated quite highly on the tasting scale (from 4 to 4.5 points according to various sources). When fully ripe, the juicy small-grain pulp has a creamy color, a pleasant sweet and sour taste and a high content of vitamin C (23 milligrams per 100 grams of pulp). The fruits are harvested at the end of August or September.
At this time, the pulp may not yet be juicy and sweet enough. It is usually used for the production of dried fruits and various types of processing: jams, compotes, juices, cider. To achieve full flavor, apples must rest for at least 3-4 weeks and ripen.
Characteristic
The apple tree is a tree of the Rosaceae family. It blooms simultaneously with the blossoming of young leaves - at the end of spring. The fruits begin to appear in July and finally ripen in September. Apples are rich in elements such as carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin C and minerals.
They have long been considered a useful dietary product that increases bile secretion, improves digestion and treats kidney disease.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of the apple trees and their fruits in question are:
- The resistance of the varietal crop to frost is down to -40 C.
- High content of ascorbic acid in fruits.
- High pectin content, which allows you to make jam, jelly or mousse.
- Immunity to certain diseases (due to the Vm gene).
- High and stable yield.
- Easy to care for.
The main disadvantages of Celandine include:
- Insufficient taste of fruits.
- Average presentation.
Productivity
The Celandine apple tree bears fruit early - already 3-4 years after planting. The yield is consistently high; with proper care, 100 kilograms of apples can be harvested from 1 tree. Celandine is prone to overload with harvest and, with abundant fruiting, the branches require support.
The main problem is that sometimes the fruits do not have time to acquire the necessary taste qualities. But it is temporary, since apples can be stored in a well-ventilated dark room for six months, during which the pulp ripens and becomes saturated.
As a rule, apples are stored in wooden boxes. To increase their safety, they are sprinkled with sawdust from hardwood trees.
Region of natural growth
Apple trees are zoned according to the regions of Central Russia and the Volga region.
Diseases and pests
The main varietal feature is resistance to 4 types of scab. The disease is typical for apple trees growing in central Russia, which are affected in large numbers by this fungus.With the arrival of early spring, it begins to attack shoots and bark, gradually moving on to developing fruits.
Celandine's immunity to the disease is due to the presence of the Vm gene. It was grafted during selection by crossing two types of apples, one of which has this gene. However, the development of the fungal pest also does not stand still.
Recently, its mutation has been noticed, giving rise to a fifth type of scab, to which the protective effect of the gene does not apply.
For this reason, you should not neglect preventive methods for treating apple trees against pests. In addition, Celandine can be attacked by ants, aphids, caterpillars, mites, fruit rot, black cancer and rodents.
Pollination and care
The apple tree is an unpretentious tree. It does not require energy-intensive care, but preventive measures should not be neglected. For normal development, it is enough to pay special attention to the tree three times a year:
- In spring (during flowering period). Use fertilizing with urea, potassium sulfate or manure. The shoots are pruned to form a crown.
- Early July (fruit ripening time). The tree needs fertilizer containing phosphorus or potassium.
- October (before waiting for frosts and hibernation). Autumn pruning is carried out, which prepares the apple tree for the winter period. At this time, trees need to be freed from non-fruit-bearing shoots, overly large branches, and dried shoots. Sprouted weeds, fallen fruits and leaves are carefully removed, as rot attracts pests.
Pollination is an important process in which pollen from flowers is carried by bees, butterflies and the force of the wind. Varieties bred on the basis of Ordinary Antonovka cannot self-pollinate.
They need proximity to pollinating apple trees, which bloom at the same time as Celandine. The best of them are considered:
- Anise;
- Borovinka;
- Pepin saffron;
- Welsey.
