Description and characteristics of Elena variety apple trees, planting and growing rules

Breeders have developed varieties of apple trees with different ripening periods. By planting them on the plot, the gardener can consume healthy fruits throughout the year. Elena is a summer ripening apple tree. Its fruits can be harvested as early as mid-July. Juicy sweet apples received a high tasting rating. Further information about the origin of the crop, cultivation in the garden, care, ripening period and harvesting of apples.

Origin of culture

The Elena apple tree was bred by Belarusian breeders at the end of the 20th century. They crossed the domestic variety Early Sweet and English Discovery. Elena took the best qualities from her “parents”. The tree has good immunity, frost resistance, and with good care it produces a bountiful harvest.

Description of the variety

The culture is characterized by a summer ripening period. After abundant flowering, flat-round fruits are formed. Apples have earned high marks from tasters for their sweet taste and fragrant aroma.

External parameters

Elena belongs to the low varieties of apples. Due to this quality, a gardener can harvest crops without special equipment.

Tree height and crown dimensions

The Elena apple tree reaches a height of 2.5-3 meters. The crown is pyramidal, of medium density. The branches are located at an acute angle to the trunk. They are abundantly strewn with foliage, the lower part of which is covered with a grayish coating.

Root system

The underground part of the apple tree consists of skeletal and overgrowing roots. The first ones go deep into the ground. The latter are formed on skeletal roots and are located almost horizontally to the surface of the earth.

Bloom

The buds bloom in late April or early May. They densely cover the shoots of the tree. The petals are painted with a white palette. During flowering, the apple tree emits a delicate aroma.

Fruits and their taste

The peel of the fruit is light green. Most of the surface is covered with a bright blush.The Elena apple is flat-round in shape, sweet in taste, juicy. Fruit weight is 120-150 grams. Tasting score – 4.8 points on a 5-point scale.

Characteristics of the hybrid

The fruits begin to set already in the second year after planting. They should be removed because the tree needs strength to form a root system and green mass. Elena bears fruit abundantly from the 5th year.

Resistance to pests and diseases

The culture has good immunity. But under unfavorable conditions it can become infected with fungal diseases. The apple tree has poor resistance to powdery mildew. The variety is moderately resistant to scab.

Pollination

Since the flowers of the Elena apple tree are bisexual, it is capable of self-pollinating. Insects help with this. For this reason, there is no need to plant pollinator varieties nearby.

Note! The Elena apple tree can serve as a pollinator for other varieties of crops.

Self-fertility and productivity

The hybrid is self-fertile; pollen is transferred from flower to flower by insects. Flowering occurs in April-May, fruiting occurs in mid-July. Harvest from the apple tree gradually, over the course of a month. Fruiting is annual and stable.

Winter hardiness

The variety is winter-hardy. Tolerates cold well in southern regions and in areas with temperate climates. Only young seedlings need shelter for the winter.

In what regions can it be grown?

Elena, bred in Belarus, is intended primarily for cultivation in areas with a temperate climate. It can be cultivated in Ukraine, in the Central and North-Western districts of Russia. When growing trees in the southern regions, abundant watering will be required.

Growing an apple tree in the garden

The development and fruiting of the Elena apple tree depends on correctly and timely implementation of agrotechnical measures.

Landing

Trees are planted on the site in spring or autumn. Purchase 1-2 year old seedlings from plant nurseries or garden centers. Seed propagation of apple trees is not practiced because it is labor-intensive.

Selecting a location

The culture does not tolerate transplantation well, so the place for it is chosen carefully. The area should be well lit by the sun. In this case, the sides of the apples will be rich red in color and the taste will be sweet. Groundwater at the planting site should not come close to the soil surface.

Preparation of seedlings

In order for the root system of trees to be saturated with moisture, it is placed in a container with water for 1-2 hours. For disinfection, you can add a few crystals of potassium permanganate. Roots that are too long are shortened before planting.

Required soil composition

The apple tree will develop best in loamy black soil. For looseness, you can add peat, to increase fertility - compost or humus. To improve the soil health, you can sow green manure before planting trees.

Planting scheme

The distance between trees is 3-4 meters. The depth of the planting hole is 1 meter, width is 60 centimeters. Apple trees are planted as follows:

• humus and potassium-phosphorus fertilizer are placed on the bottom;
• the roots of the seedling are spread well and covered with earth;
• The root circle is lightly compacted and watered generously.

To retain moisture, the soil is mulched with mowed grass, sawdust, and peat.

Care

Caring for seedlings consists of watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, and seasonal treatment against diseases and pests.

Regularity of watering

Immediately after planting, the apple tree is watered frequently. Subsequently, soil irrigation depends on the weather. Both overdrying and waterlogging of the soil are unacceptable.As a rule, in temperate latitudes, rainfall is sufficient to saturate the earth with moisture.

Foliar and root fertilizer

In early spring, trees are fed with nitrogen. When the plants have finished flowering, foliar feeding can be done. After fruiting, potassium and phosphorus are added. Nutrients will help the apple tree form fruits for the next year, as well as survive the winter safely.

Loosening the soil

After watering, the root circle is carefully loosened. The procedure promotes air access to the root system. In addition, loosening removes weeds that facilitate the transfer of harmful insects and pathogenic microorganisms to trees.

Pruning and crown formation

In the spring, sanitary pruning is performed. Remove diseased, dry, broken, frozen branches. In addition, shoots growing inward are trimmed. The Elena apple tree does not require special crown formation.

Seasonal treatment against infections and insects

In mid-autumn, the tree bark is treated with a lime solution. In the spring, before the buds open, the plants are sprayed with copper-containing preparations. The apple tree is sprayed with insecticides against harmful insects.

Important! Chemicals should not be used during apple tree flowering.

When to expect the first harvest

The first fruits can form as early as the next year after planting. But it is better to remove the ovaries, as they significantly weaken the plants. Strength during this period is needed for the growth of vegetative mass.

Apple ripening and harvesting dates

Elena is a summer apple variety. Flowers form in late April or early May. Fruits are harvested from mid-July to mid-August. The peculiarity of summer crop varieties is that the fruits have poor keeping quality.Elena apples can be stored in cool conditions for no more than 3 weeks.

Where are the fruits of the tree used?

Apples contain a large number of useful substances. They are consumed mainly fresh. You can also prepare compote, juice, jam from them, and use them for filling in confectionery products.