Description and characteristics of fruiting of the Granny Smith apple tree variety, cultivation and care

Granny Smith is considered one of the most common apple varieties in the world. This variety was developed in the late 19th century in Australia. And since then it has gained popularity among gardeners around the world. This variety is often sold in stores.

Description of Granny Smith apples

Before purchasing an apple tree for planting, study its characteristics and description.

History of the variety's creation

Granny Smith was first bred in 1868 by Australian breeders. The originator was Maria Anna Smith, who crossed a wild apple tree brought from France with one of the local varieties. The new variety was named in her honor.

Beneficial properties of fruits

Ripe apples are rich in microelements and other nutrients.

Macronutrients

The macroelements included in the composition include:

• molybdenum;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• iodine;
• calcium.

It also contains iron.

Microelements

Apples contain anthocyanins and flavonoids, pectin and various types of acids.

Vitamins

The fruits are rich in vitamins B, K and biotin.

Calorie content of the product

Per 100 g of pulp with peel there are only 47 kcal. Due to their low calorie content, the fruits are classified as dietary products.

Tasting and aroma

The pulp has a rich apple aroma. Apples taste sweet and sour. The longer the fruits are stored, the sweeter they become. The tasting score is 4.4 out of 5 points.

Contraindications for use

Contraindications include an allergy to apples, a predisposition to bloating, ulcers, gastritis and other stomach pathologies.

Use in cooking

Apples are widely used in cooking. They are used for canning, baking, dried for tea and eaten fresh.

Characteristics

When choosing a variety for planting, pay attention to the size of the tree, yield, fruiting and winter hardiness.

Tree dimensions

Mature trees grow no more than 3.5 m in height.The Granny Smith variety is a semi-dwarf variety. The apple tree is distinguished by a spreading, wide crown, shaped like an oval.

Disease resistance

Granny Smith is often affected by powdery mold and rust. It is characterized by average resistance to powdery mildew, scab and monilial burn.

Winter hardiness

The variety is not winter-hardy. Apple trees can only be planted in regions with moderate winters.

Agrotechnical measures

When growing Granny Smith apple trees, special attention is paid to agrotechnical procedures.

Apple tree planting

When planting a Granny Smith apple tree, special attention is paid to preparing seedlings and choosing the timing of planting.

Deadlines

Apple trees are planted in spring and autumn. The advantage of spring planting is that the seedlings have time to get stronger by winter. Seedlings are planted in late April - early May.

Autumn planting allows seedlings to take root until spring. Autumn planting begins in the first half of October.

Seedlings

Before planting, seedlings are dipped in a growth activator several hours before planting. Immediately before planting, the roots of the seedlings are dipped into a liquid clay solution.

Actions upon disembarkation

Stages of planting a tree:

• Dig a hole, fill the bottom with manure, compost, wood ash and nitrogen.
• Mix fertilizers with the top layer of soil and leave the hole for 2-3 weeks.
• Place the seedling at the bottom of the hole and carefully straighten the roots.
• Fill the hole with soil and compact the soil near the trunk.
• Water with warm water and tie the trunk to a stake, which is driven into the soil before planting.

If the seedlings were planted in the spring, they are watered several times a week. In autumn, watering is not needed.

Growing

First of all, when growing a Granny Smith apple tree, attention is paid to attracting pollinators to the garden and forming the crown.

Pollinators

Pollinator trees include the following varieties of apples:

• Elise;
• Ligol;
• Pink Lady.

In addition, to attract bees, the inflorescences are sprayed with a honey solution.

Trimming

In the first few years, apple trees grow actively. To prevent thickening, the crown is regularly pruned. Pruning begins from the 2nd year after planting. Skeletal branches are left at a distance of at least 50 cm from each other. Cut off those shoots that grow upward. In autumn, dry and diseased branches are pruned.

Care

Apple tree care includes watering, fertilizing and disease prevention.

Watering and fertilizing

Water and fertilize apple trees 4 times per season. The first time during the growing season, the second time - with the onset of flowering. The third time with the onset of fruiting. And the last time - before frost.

During the growing season, the apple tree needs nitrogen. Subsequent times, phosphorus and potassium are added to the soil.

Before the onset of cold weather, nitrogen-containing fertilizers should not be applied to the soil. Nitrogen stimulates shoot growth, and before the onset of cold weather, fertilizing should be aimed at preparing the tree for cold weather. In autumn, the soil around the trunks is mulched with peat. The mulch layer should be at least 15 cm.

Pest Control

Every spring, apple trees are treated against pests with Bordeaux mixture, Hom or Skor. Plants are treated against harmful insects with Karbofos or Aktara. The drugs help fight aphids, plum moths and other types of insects that are most often found on apple trees.

It is important to regularly inspect trees to prevent the spread of diseases and insects in time. Spraying with a solution of laundry soap with the addition of mustard powder helps against pests. Garlic or marigolds are also planted nearby.The smell of these plants repels insects.

Ripening and fruiting

Fruit ripening and fruiting are important characteristics that you need to pay attention to when purchasing a seedling.

Bloom

The apple tree blooms in mid-May. By the end of May, flowering ends. The flowering period coincides with the flowering of some late apple varieties.

Maturation

The fruits reach full maturity by mid-September. In some regions the fruits ripen by October.

Beginning of fruiting

Granny Smith begins to bear fruit in the 2-3rd year after planting the seedling in the ground. The plant begins to bear fruit fully in the 4th year.

Frequency of fruiting

The plant bears fruit every year. Towards the end of the tree's life, fruiting decreases, but not significantly. The apple tree does not begin to bear fruit every year. You can increase productivity by applying fertilizing.

Productivity

Productivity is high; up to 150 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree per season. The tree bears fruit consistently every year.

Storage and transportation

The fruits are distinguished by their transportability and shelf life, so apples are often grown for sale in stores.

Storage Features

After harvesting, the fruits are stored until November. With proper storage, the period can be extended until winter. The harvested crop is kept in a cool, dark room at temperatures up to +15 degrees. The fruits are regularly inspected and rotten ones are immediately thrown away so that the rot does not spread to other apples.

Transportation of apples

Due to their dense peel, apples can withstand long-term transportation, which is why Granny Smith is often found on store shelves and counters.

Growing areas

Regions with long summers and short, warm winters are suitable for growing Granny Smith apple trees due to their susceptibility to freezing during severe frosts. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in northern latitudes.