Juicy fruits from the Count Ezzo apple tree will not leave anyone indifferent. Apples from such trees look tempting, and they taste as unusually juicy as they seem at first glance. The late dessert variety will take root even in the Siberian regions, since this apple tree is resistant even to sudden frosts. By planting such a tree in the garden, you can provide seven vitamins for the whole winter.
History of the variety's creation
A German selective apple variety called Graf Ezzo was first produced at Klein-Altendorf station by self-pollinating the Gloster variety. Before this type of tree began to spread throughout European countries, specialists thoroughly tested it.
Next, Count Ezzo began to be grown in the Ukrainian forest-steppe. After these tests, apples gained popularity among gardeners. Later they began to grow it in the Russian Federation. Thanks to its tasty and appetizing fruits, this new variety has become popular in many countries.
Description of the apple tree Count Ezzo
Compared to the Gloucester variety, from which Count Ezzo descended, its trees are stunted. They begin to bear fruit faster, which reduces waste on additional bait and fertilizer.
The product is described as follows: vitamin-rich large late-ripening fruits, mainly intended for consumption in the winter season.
Variety varieties
Count Ezzo belongs to the artificially bred varieties, but there are some analogues of apple trees that are similar to it:
- Idared - bred in the United States, in Idaho. It has large red fruits with a pinkish blush;
- Ambrosia is a Canadian apple variety. The skin of the fruit is glossy, with a reddish blush, the apples themselves have a conical shape;
- Braeburn Hill Well - apple trees native to New Zealand. The fruits are large, round, with glossy skin and a red blush;
- Gloucester - the Count Ezzo variety originated from it. The fruits of these apple trees have a large conical shape, a red tint to the skin and a slightly pinkish blush.
It is worth noting: such varieties as Perlina Kieva, Revena, Red Delicious, Scythian Gold are similar in external and taste parameters to Count Ezzo.
additional characteristics
The variety, bred in Germany, went through many tests and was accepted for production and cultivation in Europe. Its advantages include:
- short period from planting a tree to harvesting fruit from it;
- resistance to severe weather conditions;
- increased productivity.
Despite the advantages, there is one drawback - Count Ezzo often has weak immunity to diseases and pests.
Dimensions
The dwarf hybrid grows 2-3 meters in height, but the crown of the tree is wide and spreading. The apple tree reaches its maximum growth peak by 7 years. At a young age, the apple tree may have a pyramidal crown, but over time it becomes wider and more rounded.
Annual growth
The variety's growth in 1 year is average; for example, side branches can grow by 10 centimeters. If the branch is located at an angle of 45 degrees, then it grows by 40-50 centimeters. With proper feeding, side branches can grow 70 centimeters per year.
A small increase can only occur if the soil is poor, there is insufficient light, when the apple trees are overcrowded or infested with pests. If the tree has already reached five years of age and is not growing at all, then it is better to plant a new one, since it can be extremely difficult to tidy up a neglected apple tree.
Frequency of fruiting
With a low-growing rootstock, the apple tree can bloom in the second year after planting. But still, it is better to cut off the flowers during this period, so that the tree directs all its efforts to the development of the crown and root system. In the third year, the flowers can be left, the harvest may already be quite decent.
The apple tree blooms annually, but not for long. The buds bloom together. Since the tree is a winter dessert variety, the fruits ripen late.Typically, harvesting is scheduled for late September to mid-October.
The fruits can be eaten immediately after they have been removed from the branches. But if you keep them for two weeks in a cool, dry place, their taste will change.
Fruit evaluation
The hybrid produces small fruits (up to 200 grams), but of high quality. Apples taste moderately sweet and sour. The fruit pulp is juicy, fine-grained in structure. The shape of the apples is slightly elongated, round, with slight ribbing.
Often the color of the Count Ezzo fruit is greenish, with a reddish fuzzy blush. When stored for a long time, apples do not lose their beneficial properties. The variety is suitable for making preserves, jellies, jams, and compotes.
The pulp is not entirely dense; when bitten, a rich, pleasant aroma of apple and a sweetish-sour taste are revealed. During the tasting, Count Ezzo received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 points.
Frost resistance
The variety is quite resistant to winter frosts, even prolonged ones. It survives winter and sudden spring or autumn frosts well. Due to the fact that the hybrid was created artificially, resistance to cold was taken into account when breeding it.
Pests and diseases
When testing the variety in cold rainy seasons, it showed good results. Count Ezzo is resistant to scab and aphids. Also, trees are not prone to severe attacks by mites, caterpillars and ants.
It is worth knowing: in the spring it is recommended to spray the apple tree 2-3 times with preparations containing copper sulfate to increase productivity.
Which region is best to grow in?
A favorable area for growing this variety is the central part of Europe. Due to its frost resistance, it produces a good harvest in the forest-steppe of Ukraine and in the northwestern part of the Russian Federation.
The favorable climate is temperate continental.The soil suitable is loamy, sandy loam, sod-podzolic. If you grow such an apple tree in the Moscow region, then it is worth considering several features:
- if the year turns out to be wet, then it is worth carrying out active prevention against harmful insects;
- Regular watering is required;
- pruning
Conclusion
It is worth trying to plant the Count Ezzo apple tree in your garden for the sake of ripe and appetizing fruits. Caring for such a tree is not difficult, even if this is the first planting.
The harvest from this hybrid will be good not only when twisted, but also when consumed fresh.
