The Moskovskaya Grushovka apple tree is considered one of the oldest varieties of apple trees. The first mention of the variety dates back to the 17th century. Apple trees were grown mainly in the southern and middle parts of the Urals and Siberian regions. But even now Moscow Grushovka is grown everywhere in Russia. The variety is unpretentious and productive.
- Description and characteristics of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree
- Subtypes
- Early
- Winter
- Tree height and crown width
- Beginning of fruiting
- Shape and weight of apples and their color
- Taste, aroma and tasting score
- Ripening period
- Winter hardiness
- Disease resistance
- Pollinator varieties
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Features of reproduction
- How to plant a seedling
- Landing place
- Soil requirements
- How to choose the right seedling
- When to plant a variety
- Planting process
- Apple tree care
- How to water
- Soil care
- Fertilizing the apple tree
- Pruning variety
- Preparing for winter
- Diseases and pests
- Harvest and storage
Description and characteristics of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree
Every gardener, before purchasing any variety of fruit trees for his plot, must study all the characteristics. This will allow you not to be disappointed in your choice in the future and enjoy the yield and taste of the fruit.
Subtypes
There are several subtypes of the Moscow Grushovka apple tree. The tree is early ripening and winter ripening. Early ripening fruits begin to ripen at the end of July. And winter varieties ripen closer to autumn, but the harvest is stored until winter.
Early
The early variety Moscow Grushovka is considered one of the most successful. It was created by crossing Moscow Grushovka and Papirovka (the second variety is also called White filling). Early hybrid apples are twice the size of the parent variety.
The yield from one mature tree ranges from 120 to 160 kg. It is frost-resistant and resistant to scab, powdery mildew and fruit rot. The downside of the hybrid is that the apples ripen gradually, so only summer residents prefer to grow it.
Winter
The winter variety was obtained by crossing the Moscow Grushovka and the French Kroncel. Just like the early hybrid, the winter one has larger fruits compared to the parent variety. Productivity is high; up to 200 kg of fruits are collected from one mature tree.
The disadvantages of the hybrid are low resistance to frost and weak immunity. A tree without care often suffers from rot and other diseases of fruit trees.
Tree height and crown width
Apple trees reach a height of 7 m, so the tree needs pruning every year. Forming a crown will simplify harvesting and prevent the apple tree from growing too tall. Young trees are shaped like a cone. After a few years, due to the growth of the crown, the tree grows in width and gradually acquires a spherical shape.
Beginning of fruiting
After planting a seedling in a permanent place, the apple tree begins to bear fruit after 4-5 years. If the tree is vigorous, then fruiting occurs several years later, in the 6-7th year after planting.
Shape and weight of apples and their color
The fruit shape of apples is round and turnip-shaped. The fruits are small in size, maximum weight is up to 130 g. The peel is light yellow in color with a red blush. The pulp is white-yellow, aromatic. The stalk is located deep inside the funnel.
Taste, aroma and tasting score
The taste of the fruit is pleasant, the pulp is juicy and sweet, with a slight sour taste. The pulp does not have a pronounced apple aroma; over time, the aroma intensifies slightly, but not significantly. The tasting score is 4.3 points out of 5. Apples are suitable for fresh consumption and for making compotes, jams and purees.
Ripening period
The Moscow Grushovka apple tree is an early variety, and the first fruits ripen in the first ten days of August. Some hybrids, which are classified as winter hybrids, ripen in early September.
Winter hardiness
One of the advantages of the variety is its frost resistance. Apple trees can withstand temperatures down to -50 degrees. This quality allows you to grow apple trees even in harsh Siberia.
Disease resistance
Most often, the tree suffers from fungal diseases. These include scab and moniliosis.To prevent the appearance of fungi on the apple tree, it is treated with fungicides several times a season.
Pollinator varieties
Moskovskaya Grushovka is a self-fertile variety, so to increase productivity, pollinating varieties are planted nearby. These include:
- Chinese;
- Candy;
- White filling;
- Antonovka;
- Anise Striped.
If you plant only Moscow Grushovka in a garden without adjacent to other apple trees, few inflorescences and ovaries will form. Which in turn will affect productivity.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Moscow Grushovka variety include:
- Frost resistance.
- Productivity.
- Easy to care for.
- Taste of fruits.
- Fruiting.
- Early ripening of apples.
Among the disadvantages are:
- Weak immunity to fungal diseases.
- Tree height.
- A small mass of apples.
- The fruits are not fragrant.
Despite the fact that the variety has many shortcomings, now you can find hybrids based on Moscow, where all the disadvantages of the variety have been corrected.
Features of reproduction
Since the Moskovskaya Grushovka variety is self-sterile, other varieties of apple trees are planted no more than 60 cm next to the tree. Neighborhood with other hybrids will increase reproduction and the appearance of ovaries, since bees will be able to transfer pollen from tree to tree.
How to plant a seedling
When planting seedlings, pay attention to the composition of the soil, location and occurrence of groundwater near the selected location.
Landing place
The apple tree prefers to grow in open sunny areas. Tolerates partial shade. The main thing is not to plant seedlings in places where they will be in the shade all day.
Soil requirements
Apple trees are planted on loamy or sandy loam soils.Chernozem is also suitable. Preference should be given to loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity.
How to choose the right seedling
The seedlings must be healthy, without signs of damage. The bark is dense. The branches are not broken. The root system is powerful, and the roots themselves are elastic.
When to plant a variety
In spring, apple trees are planted from mid-April to May. In different regions, spring planting dates for seedlings vary. In the south, planting takes place a little earlier than in the north. In autumn, seedlings are planted before the onset of cold weather, in late August - early September. During this time, the seedlings should have time to take root.
Planting process
The process of planting a seedling:
- Dig a hole 1 m deep.
- Add mineral fertilizers, manure and wood ash to the bottom.
- Leave the pit in this form for 2-3 weeks.
- After 2-3 weeks, the seedling is planted in a prepared hole.
- Place the seedling and carefully straighten the roots.
- Cover with soil and compact it near the trunk.
- Drive a peg nearby and tie the trunk to it.
- Then pour plenty of warm water.
At first, the seedling is watered frequently.
Apple tree care
Caring for an apple tree includes organizing watering, applying fertilizers, weeding the soil around the trunk and forming the crown. It is also important to pay attention to disease and insect prevention.
How to water
With the onset of spring and until August, young seedlings are watered 3 times a week. In August, watering is stopped. Mature trees are watered several times a month. If the summer is hot, then the amount of watering should be increased. Do not allow the soil to become too dry.
Soil care
Several times a week before watering, weed the soil and remove weeds near the tree.
Fertilizing the apple tree
During the season, fertilizing is applied 4 times:
- Fertilizers are applied for the first time in April. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used as fertilizer.
- The second time, fertilizing is applied during the flowering period. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are also added; in addition, wood ash and manure are suitable.
- The third feeding is carried out at the moment of formation of the ovaries. Potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil. Organic fertilizers are also added.
- The last feeding prepares the tree for winter. Nitrogen should not be added during this period. Manure, compost and wood ash are added to the soil.
Depending on the appearance of the tree, you can feed it more often.
Pruning variety
Every year in the spring, all dry and diseased branches of the apple tree are cut off. Young branches are also pruned, leaving a few skeletal branches.
Preparing for winter
Since the variety is winter-hardy, the apple tree does not need to be prepared for winter. In the fall, they only dig up the soil around the plant.
Diseases and pests
With the onset of spring, the apple tree is sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. It is also important to remove weeds regularly to prevent fungi and insects.
Harvest and storage
Apples are harvested in August. It is better to collect the fruits immediately, before they have time to fall to the ground. The harvested crop is stored in a cool room at temperatures up to +15 degrees. If the storage conditions are met, the apples will last until late autumn.