Apple is the most popular fruit in the world. Choosing the right variety to plant is a difficult task. To avoid mistakes, you will need to take many factors into account. The choice should be made on those varieties that bear fruit well in a particular region. The columnar apple tree Jin is small-sized and winter-hardy, so it is suitable for cultivation throughout the Russian Federation.
Description and features
Gardeners purchase seedlings depending on the description of the variety and its characteristics.
Apple Gin:
- The first fruits appear in the second year after planting.
- Gin is a winter variety. The first mature specimens can be tasted in early September.
- The tree is small in size, reaching a height of no more than 2 meters.
- In the first 4 years, a maximum of five kilograms of fruits are collected from one plant.
- Starting from the 5th year, the yield increases. The tree produces up to 20 kilograms of juicy fruit.
- Has a long shelf life.
Gin grows with one trunk. Lateral branching in the variety is almost suppressed. Therefore, the plant needs additional support.
Pros and cons of Apple Gin
Flaws:
- Having one main shoot makes it difficult for the tree to withstand strong winds. Therefore, a strong support is required.
- The root system is located on the surface. Because of this, the plant often suffers from drought and lack of mineral nutrition.
- The variety needs winter shelter. In harsh, snowless winters, the plant often dies.
- Short fruiting period. Gives a good harvest for no more than 15 years.
The columnar variety is gaining popularity thanks to:
- yield from the second year;
- disease resistance;
- compactness, a large number of seedlings are planted in a small area, a distance of one meter is left between plants;
- high winter hardiness;
- ease of care and ease of pruning.
Characteristics of the variety
To decide on the variety for planting, you should pay attention to the main characteristics of the apple tree.
Dimensions
The tree grows up to two meters. Very rarely exceeds this height. The crown width reaches 80 centimeters. Sizes depend on care and area of growth.
Productivity
From the second year, up to 4 kg of fruits are collected from the tree. In the fifth and subsequent years, the yield will be up to 12 kilograms.
Frequency of fruiting
The tree does not bear fruit:
- if severely damaged by pests;
- if infected with diseases;
- under adverse weather conditions.
The first harvest of several fruits can be enjoyed in the first year, but during this period it is recommended to remove all emerging inflorescences to allow the plant to grow stronger. Abundant fruiting occurs five years after planting. From the sixth year, the tree bears fruit annually.
The plant occasionally needs to restore its vitality. During the dormant period, the tree produces only a few fruits.
Winter hardiness
Has high winter hardiness. Gin easily tolerates harsh winter conditions:
- severe frost;
- thaw;
- wet snow;
- ice crust;
- long frosts.
Disease resistance
The variety is highly resistant to diseases. Practically not damaged by pests and diseases. The advantage of the variety is resistance to scab.
Fruit evaluation
The fruits are universal in application and are used for:
- jam;
- tinctures;
- jam;
- cider;
- pies.
Fruit:
- sweet and sour;
- regular, round shape;
- with a pleasant aroma;
- deep red with ruddy color;
- with strong light flesh;
- weighing from 65 to 135 grams.
At world competitions, the apple tree received three gold medals. Tasting score: 4.75 points.
Regions of distribution
The apple tree is suitable for growing in all regions of the Russian Federation. It feels especially good in the middle zone.
Reviews about the variety
Dmitry: “Several varieties of apple trees grow at my dacha. Gin is my favorite. I planted several trees at a distance of 70 centimeters. From one plant I collect up to 20 kilograms of large and juicy fruits. I recommend!"
Margarita: “In Sochi it produces a wonderful harvest. I have 7 trees growing. For five years, the plant was not affected by any diseases.They bear fruit from the second year. This year I collected 10 kilograms from each apple tree. The fruits are sweet, slightly bland, not sour. Juiciness is average. The fruits hold tightly to the tree and do not fall off when ripe.”
Valentina: “The apple tree is easy to care for. When it's hot, I water it three times a week. I fertilize only in the spring. Every spring I whiten the trunks; I haven’t noticed any pests in several years. This year the tree is 4 years old. I lost 5 kilos. The size of one fruit is 150 grams. I insulate it for the winter. I sprinkle the trunk with sawdust, then cover it with spruce branches. In addition to cold weather, shelter also saves you from mice. We most often eat apples fresh. The pies made with them are very tasty.”
