Proper selection of fruit trees for growing on your own plot allows you to organize the process in such a way that gardeners will be provided with fresh apples from mid-summer to early spring. The Verbnoye apple tree is perfect for this purpose, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in this material.
Description of the variety
The Verbnoe apple tree was bred by Belarusian breeders, employees of the Research Institute of Fruit Growing, by crossing two hybrids - Lavfam and Babushkino. Tree of medium vigor.The type of fruiting is ringed. The apple tree begins to bloom in mid-to-late May. The fruits ripen by early September and are stored until the end of March. The variety was developed taking into account the climate of Central Russia and the Republic of Belarus, therefore it tolerates return frosts and low temperatures during the flowering period.
On a note! The description mentions that this type of tree belongs to the spur type. The advantages of these trees include an average crown density, which practically does not require pruning.
Pros and cons of the Palm tree
The main positive characteristic of the variety is its high annual yield. Among the advantages it should also be noted:
- genetic resistance to scab disease;
- precociousness;
- unpretentiousness of trees;
- high frost resistance;
- attractive appearance of fruits;
- long shelf life of the crop.
Among the disadvantages of the Verbnoye apple tree, gardeners note the uneven size of the fruit. On one tree, fruits ripen that differ significantly in size, which affects the marketable value of the crop.
Not all gardeners like the taste of the fruit; some consider them not sweet enough.
For your information! Apples of winter-hardy varieties, freshly picked from the branch, have a sour taste. Fruits gain consumer ripeness after storage.
Main characteristics
Verbnoye was developed for industrial cultivation, but amateur gardeners also appreciated it. Fruit trees provide an excellent harvest with minimal time spent on caring for them. In terms of their taste and appearance, the fruits are quite capable of competing with expensive imported fruits.
Apple tree sizes
The height of fruit trees depends on what rootstock was used for planting. The maximum height that Verbnoye apple trees can reach is five meters, the minimum is 1500 centimeters. The branches that form the crown, under favorable conditions, provide annual growth of up to one meter.
Frequency of fruiting
The frequency of fruiting of trees of this variety is regular. With proper care, regular watering and the absence of unfavorable external factors, a bountiful harvest is harvested annually. The frequency of fruiting may be affected by weather conditions during the flowering period. Such phenomena as hail or prolonged rains, which prevent the flight of bees, can significantly reduce the number of ovaries.
Productivity and fruit evaluation
Apple trees of the Verbnoye variety are characterized by high productivity. When carrying out intensive agronomic activities, up to thirty tons of fruit can be obtained per hectare with a planting pattern of 5x3 meters on a medium-sized rootstock.
Gardeners harvest the first harvest 2-3 years after planting on rootstock 62-396 or after 4-5 years if a seed rootstock is used.
Palm apples are quite large, weight ranges from 150 to 300 grams. The color of the fruit is light green or yellow, with a red or raspberry-pink “blush”. The peel is dense, with a glossy sheen. The shape of the fruit is flat-round, wide-ribbed. The pulp is juicy, dense, fine-grained, and has a greenish tint. The taste is sweet and sour, slightly tart. The fruity aroma is weakly expressed. The average rating of organoleptic properties is 4 points.
Apple tree winter hardiness
The resistance of this variety to frost is relative.According to comments from gardeners, slight frosts on the soil that occur in the spring do not interfere with the formation of the ovary and do not affect the yield. However, the variety is recommended for cultivation in a temperate continental climate. Using rootstock 62-396 or 54-118 increases frost resistance.
Diseases and pests
Palm is resistant to scab, but it is tolerant to other diseases and pests. Therefore, the owner of the site will have to pay attention to preventive measures.
According to gardeners' reviews, apple trees of the Verbnoye variety are quite resistant to such common diseases as powdery mildew, common canker, and moniliosis (fruit rot).
Best Growing Regions
As mentioned earlier, the Verbnoye variety is intended for cultivation in temperate latitudes. These include the European territory of the Volga region, Belarus, and the North Caucasus. As for the soil for planting, preference is given to chernozem and sandy loam.
