Growing not upward, but in breadth, the Vityaz variety apple tree is distinguished by juicy and tasty apples that ripen in late autumn and are stored until spring. This large, stocky tree, reminiscent of an oak, is known to many gardeners. This material will provide a detailed description of the variety and its characteristics.
Description of the variety
This variety of apple tree was obtained by crossing the Anis Polosatyy and Pepin Shafranny varieties by breeder Sergei Ivanovich Isaev.
When starting to describe an apple tree, it is best to start with the fact that the ripe fruits of this species are quite large.On average, their weight reaches about 200 grams.
The apples are round-conical in shape, with a smooth, cream-colored skin and red stripes. However, due to the fact that the variety is still late in winter, the apple should sit for a month and a half to gain flavor and juiciness.
Vityaz is a vigorous, stocky tree resembling a small oak. As a rule, the tree has large and powerful branches that allow it to withstand a rich harvest. The crown is dense. The leaves are large, dark green in color. It is precisely from these features that it is clear that it is difficult to grow an apple tree in a small garden or near a house.
When the tree is in bloom, the flowers are collected in light pink “bouquets” of 5 pieces. The tree blooms in late spring. When planting it, you should pay attention to the fact that the pollination of the variety is arranged in such a way that the pollen independently falls on the pistil.
Apples of the Vityaz variety are classified as winter apples, since the fruits of the apple tree begin to ripen only at the end of September-October.
Pros and cons of the variety
Like every variety, Vityaz has advantages and disadvantages.
The unconditional positive factors include:
- A large amount of fruit. As a rule, gardeners collect up to 250 kilograms from one tree.
- Large fruit sizes.
- The juiciness and sweetness of every apple.
- Frost resistance.
- Storing fruit all winter and even spring.
- Apples are healthy fruits recommended for consumption by medicine to improve health.
The fruits of the Vityaz apple tree can be used on the farm:
- for juice production;
- dried fruit preparations;
- when canning;
- when baking.
The disadvantages of the apple tree include several factors:
- Requires care in winter.
- Large spreading crown.
This species has much fewer disadvantages, so the developed variety is excellent for growing in any conditions and regions of the country. Moreover, the trees themselves are unpretentious in care, which also does not leave many gardeners indifferent.
Amateur gardeners talk only about the positive characteristics of this species. The fruits from such a tree are collected quickly, and the apple tree itself does not require much or careful care. The lack of need for special care and a lot of advantages make Vityaz apples interesting for farmers who grow fruit for sale.
Tree dimensions
At the seedling stage, the Vityaz apple tree looks like an ordinary tree. However, within a couple of years after planting, the tree resembles a small oak tree with many branches leaning down.
The main feature of this tree is that it grows in breadth. That is why it is not recommended to plant a tree in a small area or near a house. Many gardeners still plant apple trees in small gardens because of its positive qualities.
The structure of the crown contributes to the abundance of the harvest - a year after planting, the tree grows in width, side branches appear that form the crown. Such a strong tree can withstand a large weight of fruits, of which there are quite a lot.
Productivity and taste of fruits
The Vityaz variety bears fruit every year, starting from the third year after planting.
Vityaz apple trees delight gardeners with abundant yields. Moreover, with proper care, the gardener harvests up to 250 kilograms of apples.
When picked from the tree, the fruit does not have a distinct taste, but after a couple of months it will be juicy and sweet. They just need to “rest” or, in other words, “ripen at home.”
The main taste sweetness is complemented by a pleasant sourness, giving the fruit an unusual taste.The fruit pulp is juicy and creamy in color.
In addition to the taste qualities of this type, it is worth noting the medical indicators for eating apples:
- For the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- To increase appetite.
- With a disease - gout.
- If you are overweight. Apples are useful for maintaining your figure and normalizing digestion.
- For prevention.
Fruits are rich in iron, which is so beneficial for pregnant women.
Frost resistance
S.I. Isaev specially bred an apple tree with high frost resistance. Therefore, we recommend Vityaz for cultivation in all regions of the country.
Please note that at temperatures below minus forty degrees Celsius, partial freezing of a young apple tree (in particular, buds and shoots) is possible.
Disease resistance
The apple tree is resistant to various diseases and fungi. Breeders define the level of immunity to scab and diseases as average.
To increase the tree's immunity, it is recommended to spray in the spring. Such measures not only increase the variety’s resistance to diseases, but are also aimed at preventing them.
Spraying depends on the time of year and climatic conditions.
In spring, the tree is sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture.
In the fall, it is best to get rid of debris in the garden and treat it with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture for the winter.
It is also best to care for a tree by performing a number of such actions:
- Application of fertilizers in spring and autumn.
- Watering every week.
- Periodic pruning of the crown.
- Protection for the winter.
Despite its resistance to disease, it is best to care for the tree so that it brings a good harvest to its owners for many years.
Timing of flowering and fruit ripening
The Vityaz apple tree brings a bountiful harvest to its owners in the third year from planting.Sometimes a large harvest occurs after five years from the time of planting.
Since this species is a winter variety, the harvest ripens by mid-autumn.
The flowering of the trunk lasts about a week in the spring season, but the ripening of the fruits takes quite a long time.
The fruits are harvested in mid-autumn (starting from late September to early October), and it is better to eat them closer to the New Year or Christmas. In this case, the fruit is filled with beneficial qualities and the necessary sweetness.
Regions of growth
“Vityazi” is popular in Russia. Due to its ability to tolerate temperate climates, this variety is planted mainly in non-chernozem regions of the country.
This variety is not suitable for the northern regions, since, with a short summer, the crop does not have time to ripen.
The Vityaz apple variety provides gardeners with fruit throughout the winter. Therefore, garden owners grow several of these apple trees on their territory at the same time. Firstly, it's a good income. Secondly, it's simply delicious and healthy.
