Description and characteristics of fruiting varieties of Welsey apple trees, cultivation and care

The Welsey apple tree is native to America. The plant became widespread in Russia at the end of the 19th century. The apple tree is resistant to diseases and cold weather conditions, therefore it is widely used for breeding purposes. The fruits are well preserved for a long time when fresh and are used for processing. Based on the Welsey variety, more than 40 varieties of apple trees have been bred, which have received good reviews and recommendations.

Description and general characteristics of the Welsey apple variety

Due to its winter hardiness, the variety is suitable for widespread cultivation. With a favorable climate, Wales produces a good, stable harvest.

Tree height

The trees grow medium in size and are not tall. On a dwarf rootstock the height is no more than 4 meters. The variety, grown on a vigorous rootstock, reaches a height of 5.5 meters.

Crown width

Young trees under 6 years of age have a wide pyramidal crown. An adult plant gradually acquires a rounded, oval shape. The main branches move away from the trunk at an acute angle, which is a common cause of branches breaking off under the weight of the crop.

Productivity

Depending on the region of growth, the crop ripens:

• in September, early October;
• at the beginning of winter.

It has high productivity. One tree produces up to 200 kg of high quality fruit. Yields gradually increase with plant age. When a large number of fruits set and ripen, the apples become small.

In favorable climatic zones it produces a stable, good harvest. Fruits in a year.

A peculiarity of the variety is poor attachment of apples to the branches. It is necessary to monitor the technical maturity of the fruits and collect them immediately after ripening. Otherwise, the crop will fall, which will negatively affect further storage.

Self-fertility

The plant belongs to the self-sterile varieties. It is recommended to plant apple trees nearby:

• Borovinka;
• Mekintosh;
• Delicious;
• Antonovka.

Tasting assessment

Apples have a sweet and sour taste and a delicate aroma. They have good taste.On a five-point scale, the fruits were assigned 3.9 points.

Winter hardiness

The most common variety in:

• Belarus;
• European part of the Russian Federation;
• Baltics.

Has average winter hardiness. Withstands -20...-25 °C well. At lower temperatures, shoot damage may occur. Therefore, in regions with harsh winters, the plant requires shelter. To do this, the trunk is tied with burlap or reeds.

Disease resistance

May be affected:

• fruit rot;
• cytosporosis;
• powdery mildew.

It is resistant to the main disease of apple trees - scab.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Positive qualities include:

• high productivity;
• resistance to scab;
• high taste qualities of the crop;
• precociousness;
• good transportability of fruits;
• The harvest retains its presentation for a long time and, subject to proper temperature conditions, is stored until February.

Minuses:

• with a bountiful harvest, the apples become smaller;
• fruits fall off during ripening;
• weather conditions affect taste.

Insufficient resistance to severe frosts for cultivation in northern latitudes forces gardeners to cover the plant for the winter.

Landing Features

Planting and caring for the Welsey variety is practically no different from other apple trees. But before planting seedlings, you should carefully study the recommendations so that the plant quickly adapts and takes root in a new place.

Timing

Seedlings take root equally well in both autumn and spring. The main condition is to follow all recommendations when planting.

Place

When choosing a site for planting seedlings, follow these recommendations:

1. Choose a place that is illuminated and elevated. During spring flooding, water should not accumulate around the plant, otherwise the root system will become wet, which will lead to the death of the tree.
2. The variety does not like constantly wet soil.
3. Groundwater must lie at a depth of more than 4 meters.
4. Do not plant in places with strong cold winds.
5. The plant does not like constant sun.

If groundwater is high, it is recommended to purchase seedlings on a low-growing rootstock. In such plants, the roots lie shallow, which allows the tree to take root well and develop in unfavorable soils.

Priming

The apple tree is planted in previously prepared and fertilized holes. When planting in spring, it is recommended to prepare the holes in the fall. Best soils:

• loamy-sandy;
• loam.

The soil needs to be loose, with good water permeability.

Planting scheme

A hole for the tree is dug approximately 60 centimeters wide and a meter deep. It is recommended to mix the turf layer with superphosphate and ash. When planting, a peg is placed in the hole, to which the seedling is attached using a soft thread.

Rules of care

The main conditions for caring for the plant in the first year are loosening, watering, and fertilizing. Throughout the life of the tree, for abundant fruiting, it is necessary to carry out mandatory measures.

Watering

In the first year, watering is carried out every week. It is recommended to water from above so that the branches are washed. Then the ground is loosened. The procedure is carried out carefully so that the root system is not damaged. A mature tree is watered only during prolonged drought. In summer with periodic rains, the plant does not need additional soil moisture.

Mulching

The variety does not get along well with weeds. Therefore, for proper development and good fruiting, they constantly weed the ground around the plant. Mulching will help simplify this process. Which is used as:

• dry grass;
• straw;
• pebbles;
• bark;
• compost;
• gravel;
• sand;
• nonwoven materials.

In summer she:

• slows down the growth of weeds;
• prevents moisture from evaporating, which helps the tree to withstand extreme heat more easily;
• allows the top layer of soil to remain loose;
• prevents the soil from overheating, while maintaining the optimal temperature for the development and growth of the apple tree.

Mulching in the autumn allows you to protect the soil from washing out, weathering and freezing.

Trimming

Regular pruning allows you to increase the illumination of the crown and strengthen the trunk, which helps to withstand a bountiful harvest. The shoots are cut off partially when forming the crown and completely when thinning.

To awaken strong buds, rejuvenating pruning is necessary, which is carried out in the spring.

In summer, new branches will grow on the plant, intended for fruiting. When fully pruned, stumps should not be left behind. It is recommended to trim branches that have dropped to the ground under the weight of fruit. A tree that is regularly pruned produces a bountiful harvest and is protected from diseases and pests.

Top dressing

In order for the tree to grow and develop well, fertilize regularly. Manure pre-diluted with water (1:10) is ideal for this purpose. They also use chicken manure, diluted in a ratio of 1:15, and wood ash.

Wintering

In winter, it is recommended to protect the variety from frost. Cover the lower branches and trunk with materials to prevent rodents. Suitable for these purposes:

• fir branches;
• cane;
• pine branches;
• roofing felt

The branches are formed in bunches and tied from top to bottom around the trunk. To protect the root system from freezing, a thick layer of fallen leaves is laid around the tree.

Diseases and pests: main types and solutions to the problem

Main pests:

• codling moth;
• hawthorn.

To protect against insects in the fall, all leaves around the trunk are removed, and the ground is regularly loosened and weeded. Insecticides are also used. When affected by cytosporosis or powdery mildew, the affected branches are cut off and burned. The wood is treated with special preparations. The affected areas of the trunk are cleaned with a knife, treated with iron sulfate and covered with oil paint.

For prevention, treat with the drug “Hom”:

• until the buds swell;
• before flowering;
• after flowering.

When plants are damaged by powdery mildew, they are treated with:

• copper oxychloride;
• soda ash mixed with potassium permanganate and soap;
• colloidal sulfur;
• drug "Topaz".

Bordeaux mixture is a high-quality prevention of powdery mildew.

Subspecies of the variety

Welsie is a mother variety for apple trees:

• Bezhin meadow;
• Prima;
• Aelita.

There are subspecies of the variety that are grown in core and creeping form. For seedlings, semi-dwarf and dwarf rootstocks are used.

Features of cultivation in different regions

There are no particular differences between the cultivation of the variety in different regions. The only thing that experts pay attention to is covering young trees in areas with harsh winters. This procedure helps to avoid damage to the shoots. It is also recommended to pay attention to the composition of the soil. For a bountiful harvest, the necessary fertilizing is regularly applied.

Harvesting

The fruits ripen together. If you are late in picking apples, gardeners will suffer significant harvest losses. Since fruits that have reached technical maturity quickly fall off, which significantly worsens their appearance, storage and transportability.

The first harvest is carried out in the first ten days of September, the second - in early October. In regions with cold summers, the dates are delayed by several weeks.

Harvest storage

For storage use plastic boxes or cardboard boxes. The fruits are strong and without damage. Each layer of apples is covered with dry sawdust or paper. Store in a basement at a temperature of 0°…+1°C.