Description and characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of Orlik apple trees, growing features

A worthy variety of fruit and berry crops is the Orlik variety. The tree produces abundant harvests of juicy, sweet apples. Regular fruiting is one of the main advantages of the species. Fruits are a storehouse of nutrients and vitamins. The ability to tolerate low temperatures allows the plant to be cultivated everywhere. The Orlik apple tree has long been appreciated by many. For these reasons, the variety is in great demand among farms and private consumers.

Description of the Orlik apple tree

The history of the Orlik variety begins in 1959. The new variety was obtained thanks to selective experiments with Bessemyanka Michurinskaya and Mackintosh. The name comes from the region of its creation - the Oryol region. The tree has a number of features:

1. The fruit ripening period is winter.
2. Frost resistance.
3. Regular, abundant harvests.
4. The taste of aromatic apples is sweet.
5. Resistance to fungal diseases.

The apple tree blooms in late spring. The inflorescences change color: the red tint gives way to soft pink. In the first year of life, it is recommended to trim up to 80% of the flowers, which will improve the survival of the cuttings. The variety is fast-growing. The first abundant harvest will occur 4 years after planting. One tree produces up to 45 kg of sweet apples.

The fruits are cone-shaped. The fruits are medium in size. Ripe apples are yellow with a pink spot on the side. A waxy coating on the thick skin is an additional protection against harmful bacteria and fungi. The apple pulp is juicy and sweet.

Characteristics of the variety

The characteristic features of Orlik determine the planting algorithm and the necessary procedures for caring for it.

Height

The variety is considered medium-sized. The height of the trunk is up to 5 m. The bark of the tree is smooth. Due to its low growth, planting will not take up much space.

Crown width

The crown of an adult apple tree is spherical. It reaches 2 m in diameter. Branches extend horizontally from the main conductor with their ends raised upward. Round, dark green foliage.

Winter hardiness

A distinctive feature of Orlik is its ability to withstand low temperatures. To protect the plant from sunburn, the soil around the tree is mulched.

Pollinator varieties

The Orlik variety is not capable of self-pollination. To obtain a harvest, it needs pollinating varieties:

• Bogatyr;
• Renet;
• North Sinap;
• Moscow winter;
• Chernenko.

Self-fertility

The apple tree is self-fertile. Its fruiting does not depend on climate changes. It pleases with a bountiful harvest every year. 100 kg are harvested from one mature apple tree. The weight of one fruit is 110-200 g.

Tasting assessment

The excellent taste of the variety is highly appreciated by gardeners. The apple pulp is sweet with a slightly noticeable sourness. One fruit contains useful microelements, vitamins, sugar, and pectin.

Orlik apples are used for various purposes:

1. During a diet.
2. To restore metabolism.
3. For the purpose of preventing atherosclerosis and heart attack.

Advantages and disadvantages of apple trees

The variety has a number of advantages, thanks to which the apple tree is in great demand in modern gardening:

1. Regular, abundant fruiting.
2. Resistance to severe frosts.
3. Sweet taste of fruits.
4. Immunity to plant diseases.

Specific features of the apple tree should be taken into account for proper tree care:

1. Fully ripened fruits do not stay on the branches for a long time. They fall to the ground. The harvest should be harvested on time.
2. The variety experiences dormant seasons without fruiting. It is impossible to predict their regularity.

Nuances for landing

Planting an apple tree is not difficult. For quality implementation, you should follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners.

When is the best time to plant

The best time to plant a seedling is September or October. Before the onset of cold weather, the young tree will have time to adapt to the environment and strengthen the rhizome.

How to choose and prepare a place for an apple tree

The best option is to plant on an elevated site.The location of groundwater should not be close to the roots of the plant. Due to excessive moisture, the seedling may rot.

A distance between apple trees of at least 2 m should be maintained. The area for planting is cleared of debris, rotten fruits, and dry branches. Prepare a soil mixture from several components:

• clay;
• sand;
• peat;
• humus;
• compost.

How to plant seedlings correctly

The stages of planting an Orlik seedling are simple to perform:

1. Prepare the planting hole.
2. Lower the apple tree stalk. Spread out the roots. Leave the root collar 7 cm above the ground. Sprinkle with a mixture of soil and fertilizer. Compact the planting.
3. Water generously.

To ensure even growth of the tree, it is fixed using pegs, which are placed on both sides of the seedling.

Rules of care

The Orlik variety is low maintenance. Mandatory procedures must be followed to keep the planting healthy.

Watering the apple tree

Watering the apple tree must be regular. An adult tree requires at least 5 buckets of water. The frequency and abundance of watering is adjusted depending on the climate. In severe drought, moistening is carried out more often.

Fertilizer application

Orlik apple trees are fertilized a year after planting:

1. In spring, urea and ammonium nitrate are used as fertilizing.
2. When digging near a tree, the soil is sprinkled with wood ash.
3. Before the onset of cold weather, liquid mullein is mixed with superphosphates and ammonium nitrate is added. The mixture is watered over the planting.

Apple tree pruning

In the spring, it is necessary to carry out sanitary cleaning of the crown of the Orlik apple tree. Remove dry, old, damaged branches. Timely pruning helps increase yield.

Disease Prevention

Prevention allows you to prevent damage to the Orlik variety by fungal diseases and insect pests:

1. In spring, the apple tree is sprayed with Karbofos solution. This will destroy aphids and red mites.
2. Treatment with Bordeaux mixture will eliminate powdery mildew, fruit rot, and scab.
3. Tree trunks are regularly whitened with lime. It will protect the apple tree from lichen.

Subspecies of the variety

In modern gardening, there are several options for the shape of Orlik apple tree seedlings:

1. Dwarf.
2. Semi-dwarf.

Each of the subspecies has a number of advantages:

1. Winter-hardy.
2. Compact.
3. Bearing abundant fruit.

Similar forms of trees are used to decorate city parks and small garden areas.

Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia

Due to the characteristics of the Orlik apple tree variety, it is cultivated in many regions of the country:

1. Central District.
2. Cities of the Central Black Earth Regions.
3. Northwestern region.
4. Moscow region.
5. The territory of the middle zone.
6. Ural.

Despite the high level of winter hardiness, the Orlik variety is not recommended for planting in Siberia. A prolonged period of low temperatures will negatively affect the tree.

Harvest and storage

Orlik apples are fully ripened by mid-September. It is important to pick ripe fruits in a timely manner. They don't hang on the branches for long. Ripe fruits quickly fall to the ground. Fallen apples cannot be stored for long periods of time. They are immediately processed into compotes, preserves, jams, and marmalade.

The picked fruits are carefully laid out in wooden boxes. For better storage, sprinkle with sawdust. The optimal places for placing apples are the cellar, refrigerator, attic. The temperature at the place of their storage should not be higher than +5 degrees. A distinctive feature of the Orlik variety is its ability to be stored for long periods of time.. If the rules are followed, apples will not lose their presentation and taste until spring.

The Orlik variety is a popular fruit crop. It is widely zoned in many regions of the country. Thanks to its tolerance to low temperatures, the apple tree takes root well in northern regions. Gardeners highly value the tree’s ability to bear fruit regularly and abundantly. Healthy, tasty apples are the highlight of any garden.