Description and characteristics of the Kovalenkovskoye apple tree, planting, cultivation and care

The Kovalenkovskoe apple tree variety is especially popular among summer residents. This demand is determined by the many advantages of the plant: high yield, taste of the fruit.

History of the Kovalenkovskoye variety

Selection work on the breeding of the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree was carried out on the territory of the fruit growing research institute of Belarus. Work on developing the variety was carried out in the late 1990s. The variety received its name in honor of the breeder who is actively working on breeding the plant.

Pros and cons of the type

Experienced gardeners highlight several advantages of this variety:

• obtaining regular large harvests;
• high frost resistance;
• preserving ripened apples on the branches.

There are also disadvantages. These include average resistance to scab, intolerance to drought, and short shelf life of the harvested crop.

Description of the tree and fruits

Due to the characteristic color of the fruit, this variety has another name - Red Sweet. The tree itself also has distinctive features.

Trunk height

The tree is medium-sized and actively growing. When placed on a seedling rootstock without pruning, it can grow up to 4.5-5 meters.

Crown size

The crown has a round, dense structure. The shoots are characterized by strength; under their weight they are directed downwards. The shoots are painted in a dark reddish hue.

Root system

The roots of the tree are well developed, which allows the tree to form dense stems and a powerful trunk. The root system lies superficially.

Annual growth

The apple tree is actively developing, which is why its annual growth is 0.9-1.1 meters. Such indicators are achieved when favorable conditions are established.

Appearance and taste of the fruit

The main value of the variety is its fruits. They are large, on average 175 grams, with a regular rounded shape. The skin of the apples is greenish, but almost its entire surface is covered with a reddish blush.

The pulp of the fruit is fine-grained. The apples are juicy and medium dense. The taste of the fruit is sweet and the aroma is subtle.

Features of fruiting

To get a good regular harvest, you need to know about the nuances of fruiting of this variety. Particular attention must be paid to the timing of fruit ripening.

Precociousness

This variety is fast-growing. The seedling produces its first harvest 2-4 years after planting.

Beginning of period

The fruits begin to ripen in August or early September. Peak apple ripening occurs in September.

Fruit ripening period

When fruits ripen, they do not fall off, but are firmly fixed on the branches. This feature makes it possible to harvest apples at the chosen time.

Storing and using apples

The harvested crop is universal, it is suitable for consumption freshly harvested, as well as after processing. Within a month after picking the apples, they ripen. Once the crops reach their maximum maturity, they cannot be stored for long.

Specifications

When growing the Kovalenkovsky variety, you need to pay attention to its technical characteristics. These include winter hardiness and disease resistance.

Resistance to negative temperatures

Trees planted in Belarus, Ukraine, and central Russia are characterized by high frost resistance. Some summer residents successfully grow this variety in southern Siberia. But in this case, the tree must be carefully mulched.

Immunity to diseases

The variety is resistant to pathologies and has average resistance to fungi. To protect against fungal infection, the soil must be regularly treated with Karbofos and Fitosporin.

Planting and growing

To effectively grow trees of this variety, you need to know the planting rules.First of all, you need to pay attention to the quality of seedlings.

Selection of seedlings

The best option would be to purchase planting material at the age of 1 year - it adapts more actively to the environment, increases resistance to pathologies and adverse weather conditions, and is less demanding in care.

To determine the quality of a seedling, you need to pay attention to several nuances:

1. Planting material in containers must be carefully inspected; for this it is recommended to remove the tree from the packaging container. The soil lump should be solid, and the roots should entwine it.
2. A seedling ready for planting has flexible stems, healthy bark that is free of damage: if you scrape it off a little, you can see the green layer of cambium.
3. There should be a grafting area on the tree. It can be noticed by a small thickening and curvature on the trunk 5–15 cm from the root collar.
4. A healthy root system is usually light brownish in color; it must be fresh, not dried, there must be no growths or damage on it. Brown color, swelling and unevenness of the roots are signs of the disease.

Before planting, the selected material must be kept in a growth stimulator for 2 hours.

Preparing the soil mixture

To plant a tree in the spring, the site must be prepared in the autumn. If planting is planned for autumn, preparations must begin 2-3 weeks before planting. To prepare the soil, you need to follow the instructions:

1. Dig square holes with a side of 0.6 meters and 75 centimeters in depth. The distance between holes is 3 meters.
2. Set aside the fertile layer, add 0.1 kilo of superphosphate and 1 liter of ash to it, mix.You can replace fertilizer with 3 buckets of compost.
3. Add sand to clay soils, and add humus and peat to sandy soil (at the rate of 1 bucket per square meter).

Planting patterns and dates

It is best to plant planting material in spring or autumn. If the area has a temperate climate, planting should be done in the fall. The best time is September or the first part of October. In the Ural and Siberian territories, planting should be organized in early spring.

Landing should be carried out according to the following scheme:

1. Form a 20 cm hill in the middle of the hole and place a seedling on top of it.
2. Drive a peg into the side - it should protrude about 80 cm above the top of the hole.
3. Cover the root system with the prepared soil mixture. Lightly compact it. The root collar should remain approximately 5 cm above the soil level.
4. Using a shovel, create a watering ditch around the seedling; pour 2 buckets of water into it.
5. Tie the landing to the supporting structure.
6. After absorbing moisture, cover the soil with a layer of sawdust 7 cm thick.

Regularity of irrigation

Apple trees planted in spring need to be watered once or twice a week. There should be 30 liters of water per plant. Gradually, the regularity of watering should be reduced to once a month.

Top dressing

You can increase productivity with the help of fertilizers. The plant is not fed for 1 year after planting. In subsequent years, the trees are fed taking into account the recommendations:

• in the spring - urea (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water);
• on the eve of flowering, spraying the crown with “Ideal” (5 milliliters per 5 liters);
• in September - phosphorus-potassium solution (2 tablespoons per 10 liters).

Trimming

In the first 5 years of plant growth, formative pruning should be carried out.A tree five or more years old needs rejuvenating pruning.

Watering and loosening

The soil around the plant needs to be regularly loosened and all weeds removed. You need to loosen the soil to a depth of 10 centimeters.

The plant should be watered along the furrows. You can also use drip irrigation technology.

Shelter for the winter

In winter, the soil around the trunk should be mulched with hay or straw. If the trees are young, it is recommended to tie their trunks with agrofibre.

Prevention and treatment of tree diseases

Kovalenkovskoe needs preventive treatments. But if not properly cared for, it can be susceptible to disease. Therefore, when growing an apple tree, it is necessary to regularly inspect the trunk and branches for traces of diseases and pests.