For winter storage, late varieties of apple trees are chosen. Fruit ripening occurs at the end of September or early October. Fruits are stored until mid-spring. One of the later varieties of the crop is an apple tree called Podarok Grafsky. The red-violet fruits have a sweet and sour taste and a light aroma. Further information about planting, care, nuances of fruiting, advantages and disadvantages of the plant.
- Origin of culture
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Characteristics of the variety
- External parameters
- Tree height
- Crown width
- Annual growth
- Branching of the root system
- Fruits and their taste
- Tolerance to low temperatures and drought
- Disease resistance
- Pollinator varieties
- Productivity
- Self-fertility
- In what areas does it grow?
- Cultivation technology
- Landing
- Preparation of seedlings
- Choosing the optimal location and preparing the soil
- Disembarkation dates and scheme
- Conditions for proper care
- Watering and loosening the soil
- Top dressing
- Pruning and crown formation
- Preventative treatment
- Mulching and wintering
- Nuances of fruiting
- Flowering period
- Fruit ripening period
- Apple collection and use
Origin of culture
The gift to Grafsky was made in the 70s of the 20th century. Selection work was carried out by specialists from an experimental station located in the Vologda region. They crossed the elite American variety D101 and the familiar domestic Vyaznikovka. The breeders named the bred apple tree in honor of the director of the state farm on whose territory the station was located.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive qualities of culture include the following characteristics:
- frost resistance;
- fast growth;
- good immunity;
- ease of care;
- regular fruiting;
- excellent taste;
- good keeping quality.
Negative qualities of an apple tree include poor lighting of the lower branches and unequal size of the fruits.
Characteristics of the variety
The culture belongs to late winter varieties. The fruits can be stored at home until mid-spring, in industrial storage until the beginning of summer.
External parameters
Apple trees of the Podarok Grafsky variety are tall. The description says that the crown is thick and spreading. The root system extends beyond the trunk circle.
Tree height
Depending on the rootstock used, the height of the tree varies between 5-8 meters. Apple tree growth is regulated by pruning.
Crown width
The crown diameter is about 4 meters. Leaves are densely located on the spreading crown, protecting the trunk from the bright rays of the sun.
Annual growth
The Gift to Grafsky apple tree is distinguished by its rapid growth. Every year the shoots lengthen by 1.2 meters.
Branching of the root system
The apple tree builds up the horse system up to 18-20 years of age. The presence of thin hairs is of great importance: nutrition occurs through them, as well as the release of decay products. Some of the roots extend beyond the edges of the trunk circle.
Fruits and their taste
The mass of apples is 250-300 grams. The skin is colored red-violet. The fruit is sweet and sour, with a slight candy aroma. The pulp is fine-grained, yellow in color. Tasting score – 4.3 points out of 5.
Tolerance to low temperatures and drought
The trees are able to withstand frosts down to -42 °C. Therefore, the crop can be grown in the northern regions. Due to its well-developed root system, it can withstand short-term drought.
Disease resistance
Apple tree Gift to Grafsky has good immunity. Trees are resistant to many fungal diseases.
Pollinator varieties
The culture is not self-fertile. In order for the plant to bear fruit abundantly, pollinating trees need to be planted next to it. The best varieties of apple trees for pollination: Moskovskoe later, Sinap northern, Studencheskoe.
Important! Trees should bloom at approximately the same time.
Productivity
Up to 250 kilograms of apples are harvested from an adult plant. Fruiting is annual. Begins in the 3rd year after planting. The fruits ripen in the fall.
Self-fertility
The Podarok Grafsky apple tree is not a self-fertile variety. For abundant fruiting, pollinating trees must be planted nearby.
In what areas does it grow?
The frost-resistant crop can grow in areas with harsh winters. Trees can withstand temperatures of -42 °C without loss of yield.
Cultivation technology
Seedlings are purchased from plant nurseries of the same region in which they will grow in the future.
Landing
The trees can bear fruit for 20 years. Therefore, the landing site is carefully selected.
Preparation of seedlings
The root system of the apple tree is placed in a bucket of water for 1 hour. A fungicide can be added for disinfection.
Choosing the optimal location and preparing the soil
The apple tree prefers to grow in a sunny area with low groundwater. The soil selected is loamy or sandy loam. The hole is dug 2-3 weeks before planting the tree.
Disembarkation dates and scheme
An apple tree is planted in spring or autumn. The procedure is performed as follows:
- dig a hole measuring 80x80 centimeters;
- lay out drainage;
- fill the hole with fertile soil;
- plant an apple tree;
- Cover with soil and water abundantly.
The tree trunk circle is mulched to preserve moisture.
Conditions for proper care
The quantity and quality of fruits depend on proper care of the crop.
Watering and loosening the soil
Young seedlings require frequent irrigation. With age, the tree forms a branched root system, and the frequency of watering is reduced. To prevent a crust from forming, periodically loosen the soil.
Top dressing
The next year after planting, add a solution of chicken droppings or slurry. In summer, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are used. After harvesting, minerals are added, with the exception of nitrogen.
Pruning and crown formation
Sanitary pruning carried out during the season will protect trees from diseases and pests. When forming the crown, they get rid of branches growing inside.
Preventative treatment
To prevent the appearance of diseases and pests, trees are sprayed several times a season with special preparations. Treatment cannot be carried out during the flowering period of trees.
Mulching and wintering
The root circle is sprinkled with mulch: straw, sawdust, peat. The procedure will prevent moisture evaporation and contribute to the successful wintering of trees. A frost-resistant apple tree does not require special shelter.
Nuances of fruiting
Apple trees of the Podarok Grafsky variety are self-sterile. In order for the fruit to set, it is necessary to plant apple trees of other varieties nearby.
Flowering period
The buds bloom in May. The petals are colored pink.
Fruit ripening period
The harvest is harvested in late September or early October. After a month, the fruits become even tastier. They are stored until the end of April.
Apple collection and use
Fruits are removed from trees in dry, windless weather. The fruits are used universally. Apples are consumed fresh, frozen, dried, or canned.
