Description and characteristics of McIntosh apples, planting and care features

The McIntosh apple variety has long been known in different countries of the world, including Russia. The list of the State Register, which records all bred varieties, is expanded annually with new varieties with improved characteristics. Despite this, there are old cultures whose popularity is not declining. These include the McIntosh apple tree. The secret of its success among gardeners is its yield.

History of variety development

The foreign variety McIntosh, or Mekintosh, is one of the autumn varieties. The history of its breeding is interesting. A fruit crop, as is rarely the case, is not the result of the work of breeders or the crossing of several varieties.

This variety was discovered by accident; this event occurred back in the 18th century. In 1796, farmer Mekintosh bought a plot of land in Ontario and found several young apple trees on it. After transplantation, the only tree survived. It produced apples every year, and its lifespan exceeded 100 years.

It was this unique apple tree that became the progenitor of the new variety. First it spread to Canada, and then it was brought to other countries of the New World, and then crossed the ocean and ended up in Europe, reaching Russia. The culture was named Mackintosh after the name of its discoverer.

External tree data

In our country, the McIntosh apple tree has become known under other names. It is called Autumn excellent, Autumn red-sided or Autumn Khoroshevka.

Crown height and size

The culture is a medium-sized tree with a pyramidal crown. The skeletal branches of the plant radiate from the trunk in a cauldron-like manner. The height of the apple tree can exceed 6 meters, and some specimens grow up to 8 meters. The branches are of medium thickness, slightly curved, and have a dark cherry hue.

The crown is slightly spreading, not thickened. Their annual growth, on average, is 7-10 centimeters.The trunk is covered with brown bark. The leaves are yellowish-green, wide, slightly pubescent, and ovoid in shape. The edges are framed with small teeth. The buds are small, with a round top, convex. The fruits are located randomly on the branches.

Root system

The root system of the apple tree includes thick skeletal roots and many second- and third-order shoots. Young branches are covered with thick, thin hairs, the function of which is to search for and absorb moisture.

Description of the fruit and its taste

The fruits of the McIntosh variety can be large or medium in size. The weight of each of them varies between 150-200 grams. The main color of apples is whitish-yellow, sometimes green. The cover color consists of blurred dark purple stripes on a red background. The shape of the fruits, planted on short stalks, is spherical, with slight ribbing.

Apples are covered with a smooth, thin, shiny skin that has a waxy coating. It separates from the pulp easily. The seeds are large in size and have a pointed shape. Their color is brown.

The pulp has a white tint, sometimes with reddish veins along it. It tastes juicy and very tender, with well-defined sourness and a bright aroma. Has medium density.

The purpose of the variety is fresh consumption. In addition, McIntosh apples are often made into winter preparations; they are used in the preparation of apple sauce, drinks, and also as a filling for baked goods.

Characteristics of an apple tree

The distinctive qualities of the McIntosh variety are the duration of fruiting, the pleasant taste of the fruit, the average winter hardiness and transportability of apples. The plant has its drawbacks.Many gardeners note poor resistance to certain diseases, such as scab, as well as a decrease in yield under unfavorable weather conditions and unfriendly ripening of fruits.

Resistance to negative temperatures

The McIntosh variety is one of the medium-winter-hardy varieties. In the winter months, when the air temperature drops to -20 ⁰ C, the fruit shoots of this plant often freeze slightly. During the next growing season, this manifests itself in a decrease in yield.

Susceptibility to diseases and insects

The most common diseases that pose a danger to this variety are fungal diseases, namely: scab, powdery mildew. And the main insect pests that can cause damage to a tree include codling moths and aphids.

In what areas is landing possible?

In Russia, the variety is most often found in the southern regions of the European part. In addition, the McIntosh apple tree is zoned in the North Caucasus and the Lower Volga.

Pollination and self-fertility

Representatives of the McIntosh variety are considered self-fertile plants. However, gardeners with experience in growing the crop recommend cross-pollination with other varieties. This allows you to increase the number of ovaries.

Flowering and ripening time

The culture blooms for the first time in the second year of life. Flowering occurs at the beginning of May. The ripening of hearths occurs unevenly. To preserve the harvest, it begins to be harvested at the end of August.

Productivity

One mature McIntosh tree produces an average of 200 kilograms of fruit per season. Among the representatives of the variety there are also record holders. Some of them, in favorable growing conditions, demonstrate a yield of 350 kilograms.

At the same time, in some years the fruiting of the crop may decrease, without frequency.

Duration of storage and use of fruits

The harvested crop ripens within 3 weeks. Fruits stored at +5 ⁰,+10 ⁰They retain their taste unchanged for 3-4 months. They are used to make juices, jams, ciders, sauces, and pie fillings.

Planting and agricultural technology

Proper planting and subsequent care determine the lifespan of the tree and its productivity.

Dates and planting plan

Planting of seedlings is carried out in early spring, before the buds open, or in the autumn, 30 days before the onset of frost. When planting, dig a hole, the depth of which should be 60 centimeters and the width 100 centimeters. The distance between neighboring seedlings should be at least 3 meters.

The bottom of the pit is covered with humus, a glass of wood ash and superphosphate is added. After planting a seedling, a peg must be installed nearby. When planting, you need to ensure that the neck of the root of the planted tree is above the ground, at a height of 5-6 centimeters.

Required soil mixture

In areas where sandy soil predominates, before planting it is necessary to add chernozem, humus and peat to the soil. And when preparing a hole for a seedling, a layer of clay about 10 centimeters thick should be poured onto the bottom.

Fertilizer and watering

Thanks to regular fertilizing, the crop begins to bear fruit quickly and actively.

It is recommended to use nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers every year, and mineral and nitrogen fertilizers every three years.

The first watering is carried out immediately after planting. The required volume of water for one plant is at least 4 buckets. The next watering is breaded no earlier than after 6-7 days.

Preventative treatment

To protect against diseases and insect pests, they resort to spraying. For the first time, this procedure is carried out before the buds open, to destroy the larvae. The trees are then treated at the beginning of the flowering period to protect against fungal diseases. Fixing spraying occurs at the end of flowering.

Crown trimming

For the first time, trees are pruned immediately after planting. This is done in such a way that the branches are located 5 centimeters lower than the main conductor. Subsequently, the buds are pruned so that the main side shoots show active growth.

Preparing the apple tree for winter

Before the onset of cold weather, you need to take care of the frost resistance of the crop. To do this, hill up and mulch the tree trunk circles. The lower parts of the trunks are whitewashed with lime or chalk.

Varieties

McIntosh apple trees are successfully propagated by rootstocks, which makes it possible to develop new fruit crops. There are several varieties of the variety.

Daughter

It is the result of crossing Kulon-Chinese and McIntosh. The apple tree was bred by domestic breeders. It is a winter variety, characterized by resistance to low temperatures, high yield, and long shelf life. The fruits are green in color, with a reddish blush. The variety was bred specifically for cultivation in the Moscow region.

Black

Late autumn variety with yellow-green fruits. Gives the first harvests starting from the fourth year of life. The apples are sweet and sour, medium size. One of the advantages of Mackintosh Black is drought resistance.

Cortland

A long-known variety, bred in the USA in 1898. At the beginning of the twentieth century it was brought to Russia. The variety is characterized by late ripening. Apples weigh up to 110 grams.Cortland exhibits scab resistance, which reduces its yield.

American

Weak crop. Belongs to mid-autumn varieties. The fruits are bright red in color and have a sweet taste. Their main advantage is that they are rich in vitamins, which is why apples are often used for baby food.

Columnar

It is a straight trunk without spreading side branches. The fruits are located on small fruit twigs along the trunk. This form of tree allows you to save space on the site. The variety is characterized by rapid fruiting. The lifespan of this species is no more than 13 years. After this period, the apple trees are replaced with young ones.

Currently, there are about 60 varieties of Mackintosh in the world, and about a third of them were bred by domestic breeders. When choosing apple tree seedlings, you should take a closer look at the varieties Melba, Orlovskoye Polosatoe, Spartan, Orlik, and Slava Pobeditelem. All of them are the result of hybridization of the old McIntosh variety.