Most gardeners in central and southern Russia want to see the Pobeda apple tree in their gardens. This variety is distinguished by abundant and annual fruiting and a dessert taste of the fruit. They are harvested in September and ripen by the end of October. Under the right conditions, fruits are stored until spring. Another name for the variety is Chernenko, named after the scientist who bred it.
History of the variety
In the Central Genetic Laboratory named after Michurin, the Pobeda apple tree variety was created by a Soviet breeder by crossing varieties such as Pepin Londonsky and Antonovka.The result was a tree that began to bear fruit 10 years after planting. After the variety has been improved, the first harvest is obtained after 6-8 years.
Description of features
Although it takes a long time to wait for the first apples, growing this tree by gardeners is quite justified. The Chernenko apple tree, according to the description, has a number of significant advantages:
- abundant yield of the variety;
- average resistance to scab;
- long shelf life of fruit.
The large size and beauty of this plant will fascinate every gardener.
Growing regions
The Pobeda apple tree variety is recommended for cultivation in the Tula, Kursk, Voronezh and Oryol regions, as well as in the Moscow region and Crimea. This fruit tree is not suitable for northern regions, as it can be destroyed by frost.
Characteristics of the Pobeda apple tree
The young tree has a rounded crown, and after a few years it becomes hemispherical. The branches are thick and sparsely spaced, growing upward, with many gaps visible. The leaves of the plant are rich green in color and oval in shape; near the petioles they are rounded, the edges are jagged.
The pubescence of the back side of the leaf is not pronounced. The bark on the trunk is brown, but on the branches it is lighter and has a grayish tint.
The branching of the tree is weak: one branch grows, rarely two, and the remaining buds remain dormant. Overgrown shoots in the form of ringlets cover skeletal branches throughout the crown. Most of the harvest is concentrated on the ringlets, and a small amount on the twigs.
Seedlings are planted at the age of two, when they have a trunk at the base of up to 2.2 cm, and 1.7 cm under the first branches.The shoot formation of the Pobeda apple tree is high, and the branches themselves are of average thickness and length, growing parallel to the ground.
The weight of apple fruits is above average (up to 260 g), which means that they are similar to apples Antonovka. These fruits also show a small number of white spots under the skin. The color of the surface of apples after harvesting is light green, and during storage it becomes slightly creamy.
The cut reveals fine-grained pulp with a copious amount of juice. These fruits have a dessert taste, they are sweet. The shape of the apples is slightly ribbed, flat-round. The skin is thin, smooth, and shiny.
Gardeners rejoice at the opportunity to preserve their fruits until spring without losing quality - the apples inside become more sugary. Fruit tasting score: 4.2 points out of 5 possible.
Frost resistance
This variety has moderate winter hardiness; this protection from the cold is enough for growing apple trees in central Russia. She also does not have the ability to quickly regenerate.
Diseases and pests
The apple tree has good resistance to fungal diseases such as scab.
Dimensions
The Pobeda (Chernenko) tree grows in 20 years to 5 meters, and its branches grow up to 7 meters in diameter.
Productivity
The yield of the apple tree in the initial period is small, but every year it increases, and by the age of 10 it reaches 100 kg. At the age of 15 - 110 kg of apples, and at 20 years - 200 kg. The highest recorded harvest was 264 kg.
Frequency of fruiting
The Pobeda (Chernenko) apple tree is harvested every year without exception.
Collection and storage of fruits
Chernenko apples are harvested in September.The shelf life of fruits varies; it depends on the weather in which they grew: whether there was precipitation or not, as well as temperature changes. If there has been rain, such apples are stored for a shorter time. Watering trees with fertilizer solutions is also taken into account. 90 days before the planned harvest of fruits, nitrogen fertilizing is stopped. They negatively affect shelf life.
Whether or not to plant a Pobeda (Chernenko) apple tree in your garden is up to each gardener to decide for himself, but if you are prepared to come to terms with its shortcomings, then the advantages of this plant can be especially pleasing. The Chernenko variety is a very good choice in those regions where it can be planted.
