Description and characteristics of the Silver Hoof apple tree, planting and care

Unlike other apple trees, the Silver Hoof variety is often grown in the Urals and Siberia. This localization is due to the plant’s increased drought and frost resistance, the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes, good productivity and early fruitfulness. Planting and caring for the Silver Hoof is not difficult. However, in order for the plant to bear fruit, a number of conditions must be met.

Breeding history and region of growth

Gardeners owe the appearance of this variety to the breeder L.A. Kotov, who bred the plant in a nursery in Yekaterinburg in the 80s of the last century. The Silver Hoof was created by crossing the Rainbow and Snowflake apple trees.

The plant took its unique characteristics from crops that were not popular with gardeners. But Silver Hoof received its frost- and drought-resistant properties partly due to the fact that among the “descendants” of Rainbow and Snezhinka there are Siberian varieties.

The plant, thanks to these characteristics, is suitable for cultivation in any region. But breeders recommend planting the crop in areas located from the Urals to Kazakhstan.

Features of the variety

These characteristics are determined not only by the “ancestors” of the tree. External cultural features also played a significant role in this.

External data

The description for the variety states that Silver Hoof is a medium-sized tree. However, the plant looks different in real life.

Tree height

As noted, Silver Hoof is a medium-sized variety of apple tree. The height of an adult tree does not exceed three to four meters.

Crown width

The crown of the tree is round or rounded-outstretched. The branches are located at an angle of almost 90 degrees to the trunk. The size of the crown depends on the nature of pruning, which must be carried out annually, since the tree is prone to growth. However, the branches do not extend far.

Root system

The root system of the apple tree is developed and relatively powerful, but is located close to the surface. This must be taken into account when applying fertilizers.

Shape of leaves and flowers

Apple tree leaves have the following characteristics:

• rich green hue;
• rounded base;
• pointed apex;
• medium pubescence;
• matte coating;
• raised edges with fine teeth.

The apple tree of this variety has round flowers of medium or large size, white.

Technical description

The apple tree of this variety has an important feature: the tree tolerates prolonged drought well. But this plant is not characterized only by this advantage.

Winter hardiness

The crop is able to withstand prolonged frosts, maintaining the same fertility. Therefore, this variety is preferred to be grown beyond the Urals.

Disease resistance

The likelihood of infection with scab and other diseases directly depends on the nature of tree care. With abundant moisture in warm summers, the risk of infection increases.

But with proper care, the plant demonstrates average resistance to diseases.

Pollinator varieties

The apple tree of this variety is self-sterile. To obtain a harvest, it is recommended to plant the following pollinators near the plant:

• Zhigulevskoe;
• Anise Sverdlovsk;
• White filling;
• Lingonberry.

The maximum distance to the pollinator should not exceed 60 meters. But the optimal planting pattern is 5x3 meters.

Self-fertility

As stated earlier, the Silver Hoof variety is not capable of self-pollinating. Therefore, without trees that could perform this function, the apple tree does not produce a harvest.

Ripening time and harvest quantity

The ripening time of apples depends on the region where the tree grows. Ripe fruits are harvested from late July to mid-August.Apples left on the tree until September become transparent. With proper care, an adult tree produces up to 160 kilograms of ripe fruit.

Taste and nutritional value of apples

Apples of the Silver Hoof variety are distinguished by fine-grained pulp with a juicy texture. The fruits have a pleasant, sweet and sour taste. The composition of an apple contains up to 13% sugars and up to 17% dry matter. Also, for every 100 grams of fruit there are up to 12.5 milligrams of ascorbic acid.

Reproduction methods

Silver hoof apple trees are propagated by cuttings and grafting (buds or cuttings). Less commonly used is the method of planting seeds in open ground.

Planting and care technology

The characteristics of the plant and the productivity of the apple tree directly depend on how accurately the planting rules are followed.

Disembarkation

An important condition for the normal development of an apple tree is the correct choice of place and timing of planting.

Optimal timing

It is recommended to plant seedlings of the Silver Hoof variety in:

• April;
• end of July;
• mid-October.

The optimal period for planting is considered to be autumn.

Location and soil composition

It is recommended to plant an apple tree in well-lit areas with deep groundwater. The culture develops better in light and loose soil.

Technology

For Silver Hoof apple tree seedlings, it is recommended to dig a hole with a diameter of 70 centimeters and a depth of up to 60 centimeters. At the bottom of the hole you need to pour 4 kilograms of humus, 20 grams of urea with calcium, 40 grams of superphosphate. Fertilizers should then be sprinkled with soil, forming a hill, on which the seedling is then placed and buried with soil. The tree must be tied to a peg immediately.

Regularity of watering

The frequency of watering depends on the nature of the warm season. On average, water is added to the plant no more than three times. The tree is first watered during flowering, then until the beginning of July, and at the end after harvesting.

Up to four buckets of water should be added to young apple trees, and up to 10 to older ones.

Tree feeding

For young trees, the following feeding scheme is recommended:

• urea solution in March;
• liquid feeding in May or June;
• superphosphate solution after harvesting.

An adult tree requires urea (500 grams) every spring. During flowering, a mixture of 20 liters of water, 50 grams of urea, 80 grams of potassium sulfate and 100 grams of superphosphate, infused for a week, should be added under the trunk. At the end of flowering, the plant is fertilized with a solution of 2 grams of dry sodium humate and 100 grams of nitrophoska, diluted in the same amount of liquid.

After harvesting, the apple tree is fed with humus or a mixture of potassium sulfate and superphosphate (300 grams of each). These fertilizers must be applied to a depth of 20 centimeters.

Seasonality of treatments

In order to prevent infection, it is recommended to treat the apple tree with fungicides and insecticides before the first leaves appear, and then before flowering. It is also necessary to mulch the soil around the trunk.

Trimming

For the first time, tree pruning is carried out in the spring, the next year after planting the seedlings, completely removing the branches. In the future, similar manipulations should be performed near the bottom of the trunk. It is also necessary to remove damaged and diseased branches, preventing the crown from becoming overgrown.

Is it necessary to cover an apple tree for the winter?

In the first three years after planting, young trees need to be covered for the winter by mulching the soil around the trunk and wrapping the apple tree in spruce branches with burlap. In the future, it is enough to treat the barrel with disinfectants.

Transfer

Replanting an apple tree of the Silver Hoof variety is not required. But if such a need arises, then the tree must be moved, trying not to damage the roots.