Characteristics and description of the Pepin saffron apple tree variety, features of cultivation and care

The saffron Pepin variety will delight you with its excellent taste. Juicy sweet apples are considered an excellent dessert in any form. Due to the peculiarities of selection, the tree is widely distributed in different regions of the country. The Pepin saffron apple tree is planted by private gardeners and farms.

Description of the variety

The Pepin saffron variety began its history more than a century ago. It is considered the best selection work of I.V. Michurin. The new species was obtained by crossing Renet of Orleans, Pepinka Litovskaya with Kitayka.

The features of the external features of the apple tree determine the order of care for the planting and the zones for its cultivation:

1. The trees are not tall. The maximum height of the trunk is 3 m.
2. The crown is spreading and round. The branches are drooping. They bend towards the ground when the fruits ripen.
3. The bark on the shoots changes color depending on the age of the plant - from light green to gray.
4. The foliage is green-gray. The leaves are long and pubescent.

The winter-hardy variety is unpretentious in care. Its harvests are abundant and annual.

Characteristics of the Pepin saffron apple tree

The characteristics of the Pepin variety determine the best location and allow you to choose the optimal care option.

Where does it grow

The Pepin saffron variety is frost-resistant. The geography of its distribution covers many regions of the country:

1. Rostov region.
2. Voronezh.
3. Krasnodar region.
4. Moscow region.
5. Central district.
6. Ural.
7. Siberia.

The versatility of the variety allows you to grow apple trees at low and high temperatures.

Fruiting

The timing of the first fruiting after planting depends on the form of cultivation of the Pepin saffron variety. A tree grafted on a dwarf rootstock will bear fruit 4 years after rooting. Ordinary apple trees produce a harvest in 5-6 years. The abundance of the crop increases with the age of the plant. Up to 80 kg of fruit is usually collected from a young tree. After 10 years, the figure increases to 220 kg.

Fruit

The fruits of the Pepin variety have excellent taste:

1. Medium sized fruits. The weight of one is up to 100 g.
2. Apples are round, slightly conical in shape.
3. The main color is green-yellow. Ripe fruits have a bright red blush on the sides.
4. The tender but dense flesh is especially juicy.
5. The sweet taste is complemented by barely noticeable sourness and spice.
6. Wine apple aroma.
7. Each fruit is rich in useful nutrients and vitamins.

Fresh apples make a great dessert. They are used for sweet preservation - jam, compotes, marmalade. An excellent snack is made from soaked fruits.

Pollinator varieties

For a long time it was believed that the Pepin Saffron variety does not need additional pollinators. In practice, many gardeners noted the need for additional pollinating varieties. The best way to cope with pollination is:

1. Antonovka.
2. Slav.
3. Welsey.

These varieties improve the quality and increase the quantity of the harvest.

Winter hardiness and disease resistance

The Pepin apple tree has a high level of frost resistance. It tolerates temperatures as low as -25 degrees. Seedlings need additional protection from the cold. Before the onset of winter, they are covered with special material, and the ground around the trunk is mulched with sawdust or peat. In severe frosts, mature trees should also be insulated. They are wrapped with covering film. The roots are covered with mulch.

The variety has strong resistance to fungal diseases and insect pests. It is important to carry out prevention:

1. Regular cleaning of the area from debris, rotten fruits, dry branches, fallen leaves.
2. Digging soil under a tree
3. Carrying out sanitary pruning of branches. Affected, dry shoots must be removed immediately.
4. The use of special chemicals for timely treatment of apple trees.Nitrafen, Karbofos, and others are best suited.

Advantages and disadvantages

The numerous advantages of the variety have made Pepin saffron a popular planting in many garden plots:

1. Fruiting occurs early.
2. Ripe fruits do not fall to the ground.
3. The apples look presentable.
4. Fruits tolerate transportation well over long distances.
5. High level of frost resistance.
6. The harvest is annual and abundant.
7. The likelihood of being affected by diseases and pests is negligible.
8. Self-fertility.

The variety has specific characteristics. Taking them into account, you can avoid problems when caring for the variety:

1. With poor care, the fruits become smaller.
2. Pepin is very picky about the composition of the soil at the planting site.

Rules for planting seedlings

To plant Pepin, you need a high-quality seedling, suitable territory, and a set of gardening tools.

Optimal timing

The recommended planting period is spring. If you root a plant in the fall, it should be thoroughly insulated before the onset of cold weather.

Selecting a location

Pepin prefers a well-lit area. With a lack of light, the fruits of the tree become smaller. Swampy areas should be avoided. Plant the seedling on a hill. The groundwater level should not exceed 2 m.

The apple tree is demanding on the composition and quality of the soil. It will grow well in fertile lands where there is good aeration.

Preparing the site

They prepare for autumn planting in August. Compost, superphosphate, and potassium salt are evenly distributed on the site. The soil is carefully dug up.

If planting is planned in the spring, then the hole for the seedling is prepared in the fall. A mixture of fertilizers and soil is poured into the hole.

Preparation of seedlings

It is important to choose a high-quality, healthy seedling of Pepin saffron. Before planting, it should be immersed in water for 4 hours.Rinse the roots of the plant in a clay mash.

Planting process and scheme

Recommended planting steps:

1. Prepare a planting hole: depth - 70 cm, diameter - 80 cm.
2. Drive a couple of wooden stakes into both sides.
3. Place the seedling in the hole. Straighten its roots and cover with soil. Compact the area around.
4. Tie the cutting to the supports with a soft rope.
5. Dig a hole around the trunk for watering.
6. Water the planting generously.

When planted correctly, the root collar is placed 5-7 cm above the ground.

How to care for an apple tree

Mandatory procedures should be followed: watering, fertilizing, crown formation, disease prevention.

Watering

Regular irrigation is recommended for the variety. Every week, 10-15 liters of water are spent on the plant. An adult apple tree is watered 1-2 times a month. The frequency and abundance of watering depends on the surrounding weather conditions. At the end of summer, the planting is not moistened. Final watering is carried out after the leaves fall. This will increase the tree's resistance to frost.

Feeding

The quantity and quality of fertilizer affects the yield of Pepin. Feeding is applied according to periods:

1. After flowering, the tree is fertilized with bird droppings diluted with water in a ratio of 1:15. For one apple tree - 8 liters.
2. Slurry dissolved in water is applied under the tree trunk after the ovaries fall off.
3. In autumn, cow manure and compost are used.

Trimming

The optimal period for pruning the Pepin variety is spring and autumn. A year after planting, the main trunk is cut into 2 buds. Then the crown is formed. Be sure to perform sanitary pruning: dry and damaged branches must be removed. The crowns of mature trees are removed. The crown should not come into contact with other plantings.To do this, the side shoots are shortened.

Pest and disease control

The Pepin apple tree can be affected by scab. It spreads to weak trees that are not cared for. It is important to take preventive measures to prevent the development of the disease:

1. Maintain planting hygiene. Cleaning up garbage, rotten fruit residues, fallen leaves.
2. Digging up soil.
3. Garden varnish is used to process branch cuts.
4. In early spring, the soil around the apple tree is treated with fungicides.
5. The plant is treated with a decoction of manganese, Bordeaux mixture, and copper sulfate.
6. Remove affected foliage and branches in a timely manner.

Preparing for winter

Despite the frost resistance of the variety, it is recommended to additionally protect the plant from frost:

1. Young cuttings are completely covered with special material. In adult apple trees, only the trunk is covered. The soil is mulched using peat and manure.
2. Rodents pose a particular danger to fruit trees. To scare them away, mechanical traps or repellers are placed in the garden.
3. Upon reaching 5 years of age, apple trees begin to be whitened with a solution of lime or emulsion.

Subspecies of the variety

The Pepin saffron variety has several varieties.

Cultural winter

The cultivated winter subspecies is widespread in the Middle and Central regions of the country, in the Volga region, and is grown in the Moscow region. He is picky about the soil. It is not recommended to plant in soil with high acidity.

creeping

The creeping form of Pepin saffron is resistant to frost. Its distinctive feature is that the crown spreads along the soil. To do this, you need to work with skeletal branches, bending them to the ground.

Features of cultivation in the regions

The universal variety Pepin is cultivated in many regions of the country.

Moscow region

The Moscow region is an excellent option for growing apple trees. The composition of the soil and climate are favorable for the development of a healthy tree.

Ural and Siberia

The high frost resistance of the variety makes it possible to plant Pepin saffron in local garden plots. In case of severe frosts, additional shelter is necessary.

Harvest and storage

The peculiarity of the Pepin variety is that the crop is harvested before it ripens. At the beginning of autumn, the fruits are picked from the branches. Full ripening occurs in 40-60 days. Apples have a long shelf life - about 1 year.

The Pepin saffron apple tree has numerous advantages. Sweet fruits contain vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the human body. The universal variety is widely zoned. It is grown by gardeners in the northern, central and southern regions. They appreciated the benefits of the popular apple tree.