Description of the Geneva apple tree variety, when to plant and cultivation features

Almost all summer residents grow fruit trees on their plots, including apple trees. Apple trees are popular among most summer residents in all regions due to the unpretentiousness and winter hardiness of most varieties. One of these apple tree varieties is Geneva.

Description and characteristics of the Airlie Geneva apple tree

In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you need to study all the characteristics of the selected variety before purchasing a seedling. First of all, they pay attention to the pros and cons of the apple tree, the size of the tree, the width of the crown, productivity and some other characteristics.

Tree dimensions

The tree trunk reaches a height of at least 5 m. The crown is spherical in shape and wide. The branches are often crooked. The number of branches depends on the trunk. If it is tall, then the branches are straight and grow in large numbers. If the tree is short, it grows fewer branches. To control the height of the tree, it is pruned every year.

Productivity

The inflorescences are light pink with a rich, pleasant aroma. Productivity does not depend on the growing region, and the Geneva apple tree bears fruit equally in all regions. The more inflorescences are formed, the higher the yield.

Pollinator varieties are being planted near Geneva. These include:

• James Grieve;
• hybrid apple tree Delicacy;
• Idared.

Apples ripen early, at the end of July. The fruits are not stored until winter. Productivity is high. Up to 100-140 kg of fruits are collected from one tree.

Tasting qualities

The apples are small in size, the average weight is 200 g. The pulp has a rich apple aroma, fine-grained and juicy. The taste is sweet with a slight sourness. The peel is bright red, with green veins. The tasting score is 4.6 points out of 5.

Winter hardiness

The Geneva apple tree is one of those varieties that tolerate frosty winters well. Therefore, this variety is planted even in northern latitudes.

If you mulch the soil around the trunk before the onset of winter, the tree will not be afraid of frost.

Disease resistance

Another advantage of the Geneva hybrid is its immunity to most diseases of fruit trees. An exception is scab; without proper care, the apple tree often suffers from this disease.

Pros and cons of the variety

Each variety has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the Geneva variety include:

• Early fruiting.
• Winter hardiness.
• Universal use in cooking.
• Resistance to diseases and insects.
• Delicious apples.
• Annual fruiting.

Geneva doesn't have many disadvantages. The main disadvantages include the length of storage of apples. After harvesting, apples do not last long. Therefore, they are eaten immediately or dishes are prepared from them. In addition, there is a lack of immunity to scab, powdery mildew and poor transportability over long distances due to the thin skin.

How to plant a tree correctly

When planting apple tree seedlings, attention is paid to preparing the soil for planting. First of all, how quickly the apple tree will get used to the new place and how many years later fruiting will begin depends on how prepared the soil is for planting a tree.

When to plant

As a rule, the timing of tree planting is spring or autumn. Summer is not suitable for planting a tree. The advantage of autumn planting is that the seedling will have time to take root in a new place over the winter and will begin to grow actively in the spring.

In autumn, the most favorable period for planting is the first ten days of October. It is recommended to plant seedlings in the fall only in regions with fertile soil.

Spring planting begins after the soil has thawed. Plants are planted in late April - early March. Spring seedlings need abundant watering. The advantage of spring planting is that over the summer the apple tree will have time to get stronger and survive frosts.

Site selection and preparation for planting

Only fertile soil is suitable for Geneva apple trees. It is recommended to plant plants on light, loose soils rich in nutrients. It is not advisable to plant an apple tree in the shade; it is recommended to choose open sunny areas. In the dark, the tree grows poorly and produces a meager harvest. Before planting, the land is prepared. Mineral fertilizers and organic matter are added to the soil. If the soil has a high level of acidity, then add wood ash and dolomite flour.

Planting scheme

The Geneva variety is planted in the same way as any other apple hybrids. Stages of planting seedlings:

• Dig a hole up to 1 m deep, the width of the hole should be up to 70-80 cm.
• Pour nitrogen-containing fertilizers, manure and wood ash into the bottom of the hole.
• Leave the hole like this for 2-4 weeks.
• Drive a stake into the center of the hole, to which the trunk is tied after planting.
• Place the apple tree in a growth-activating solution for several hours before planting.
• Immediately before planting, the rhizome is dipped in a liquid clay solution.
• Place the tree in a hole and bury it with soil.
• Compact the soil around the trunk.
• Water the tree generously with warm water and tie it to a stake.

If the seedling was planted in the spring, it is watered every week with plenty of water. Autumn seedlings are not watered after planting.

Features of plant care

Caring for an apple tree includes watering, adding nutrients, loosening the soil, whitewashing the trunk, and preventing diseases of fruit trees. Particular attention is paid to crown formation. Tree pruning allows not only form the crown of an apple tree, but also helps fight diseases. After all, diseased branches cut off in time do not spread the disease further throughout the tree.

Watering

Although Geneva is a drought-resistant variety, attention should be paid to watering. Thanks to regular watering, apples grow larger and juicier.

One tree requires 10 liters of water. Water the plants four times per season:

• The first watering is carried out during the growing season, when the leaves just begin to bloom and shoots form.
• The second time Geneva is watered is during the flowering period.
• The third watering is carried out at the time when the fruits ripen (water the trees 1-2 times a week while the apples ripen).
• The last time the plant is watered is after the entire harvest has been harvested and in October, before the onset of cold weather.

Water the trees only with warm water. Cold water promotes the appearance of fungi and other diseases.

Top dressing

During the growing season, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to the soil. During flowering and fruit formation, potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil. It is also beneficial to add organic fertilizers.

Formation and thinning

In spring, lower branches and shoots are removed at a distance of 50-60 cm. 3-4 of the strongest branches are left in each tier, the rest is cut off. In autumn, remove dry and diseased branches.

Caring for the tree trunk, preparing for winter

Several times a month, the soil around the trunk is loosened and all weeds are removed. After the soil has warmed up, the area around the trunk is mulched. With the onset of autumn, the ground near the tree is loosened to a depth of 20-30 cm. In addition, the trunk is treated with lime or garden paint.

Disease and pest control

Geneva has low resistance to scab and powdery mildew, so these diseases should be prevented immediately. In addition, it is important to regularly inspect plants for harmful insects.

The trees are sprayed until the buds open, then during flowering and after this period, the last time the apple tree is sprayed after the harvest is harvested. For spraying, use Bordeaux mixture, the preparation "Skor" or "Hom". Spraying with Karbofos or Aktara helps against insects. These drugs help destroy mites, aphids and plum moths.

Apple tree subspecies

Since the Geneva apple tree variety is tall and reaches a height of more than 5 m, the cultivation of dwarf and columnar varieties is not practiced. The hybrid does not have any other subspecies.

Ripening and fruiting

The Geneva variety does not ripen immediately, so you will have to pick apples as they ripen. Ripe apples appear in late July and August. By the end of August, there are no ripe apples left on the tree. Those apples that have been damaged by birds or insects are used to make preserves, jams, compotes or for baking. Healthy fruits are consumed fresh.

Due to the early fruiting and ripening of fruits, apples do not last long after harvest. Apples of this variety are eaten immediately after picking from the tree or used for preparing processed products.