- Taste: sweet and sour, rich, dessert
- Fruit weight, g: 120-150
- Fruit size: average
- Yield: in the first 3-4 years - 4-5 kg, after 5 years - 5-15 kg
- Frequency of fruiting: annual
- The beginning of fruiting varieties: in the 2nd year after planting
- Ripening terms: winter
- Removable maturity: in the second decade of September
- Keeping quality: up to 6 months
- Duration of the consumer period: until February
The problem with standard garden plots is their small size. It can be difficult to allocate space for an orchard. And so I want to enjoy the self-grown apples. There is a way out - to buy and plant a small-sized columnar apple tree. It is worth taking a closer look at the unpretentious Gin variety, which will delight you with its harvest very quickly. To decide whether to start this variety on your site, you need to get acquainted with its main characteristics.
Breeding history of the variety
The selection of columnar varieties of apple trees was carried out by Viktor Valerianovich Kichina. He was the leader of a group of scientists who, in 1967, jointly bred an apple tree of the wonderful Jin variety.
Description of the variety
One of the most important features of the variety is its appearance. This is a columnar apple tree, the growth of which, as a rule, does not exceed 2 m. The tree is 20 cm wide, because it does not have developed lateral branches, and the fruits ripen on ringlets. In addition to its direct purpose (fruiting), this fruit tree also has a decorative function. The Gin apple tree has a compact crown, shoots depart from the trunk at an acute angle. They, like the trunk itself, are thickened, because they have to hold the heavy weight of ripening fruits.
Growth type - medium height. The annual growth is small: 15-20 cm per year. Shoots are covered with greenish-brown bark and short fruit formations. The foliage is bright, rich green. Despite the small format of the tree, the leaves are large, with a wedge-shaped base and ending with a pointed apex. Leaves are low-gloss, smooth.
The flowers are large, snow-white. Apples are not prone to shedding. Gin belongs to varieties of winter ripening period. Within six months after harvest, apples retain their taste.
The Gin variety has a universal purpose. The fruits are well stored, they are strong and stable, they are eaten fresh. After all, the fruit tasting score is 4.7 points. For blanks, preparation of confiture, jam, as well as for drying, the fruits are suitable. Apples contain a lot of juice, therefore they are also used to extract it.
The fruits are quite attractive in appearance, they are easy to transport. Stored in cool conditions (dry basement, cellar, shed) until February.
Features, pros and cons
Among the features of the variety, only advantages are noted. Among them are:
- frost resistance;
- early maturity;
- you do not need a lot of space on the site for planting;
- easy to harvest;
- pleasant taste;
- regularity of fruiting;
- scab resistance.
There are also minor flaws, but with proper care they can be easily eliminated:
- weak wind resistance;
- due to the close location of the root system, it may experience a lack of moisture.
Ripening and fruiting
The variety belongs to the early-growing. You won't have to wait long for the harvest. Gin starts fruiting very early. In the second year after planting, you can already pick apples. Already in the first year, several fruits can ripen on the tree. But nevertheless, it is recommended to remove the first buds of a young seedling in order not to give it an unnecessary load.
The gin bears fruit regularly. Only occasionally is there a resting period for the apple tree.Apples reach a removable maturity closer to the second decade of September.
Growing regions
The variety is ideal for growing in the Central and Ural regions, as well as in the middle lane.
Yield
The yield for such a small and neat tree is high. There are many fruits on the branches. The total weight of the harvested crop increases gradually. During the first 3-4 years of the tree's life, about 4-5 kg of appetizing fruits are harvested from the apple tree. When the tree reaches five years of age, the yield increases significantly. From each apple tree, 5 to 15 kg of apples are harvested.
Fruits and their taste
The apples are medium in size. Weight is 120-150 g. The main color of the apple is greenish-yellow, while the cover is bright red with a shade of crimson, looks like a beautiful blurred blush. Apples are spherical. The skin is thin and glossy. The saucer is shallow. Light subcutaneous points are almost invisible.
The pulp is dense and juicy, light, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The fruit can be stored for up to 6 months after harvest. Apples do not fall off the tree on their own.
Growing features
The Gin variety prefers a sunny area. Due to the peculiarities of the shape of the apple tree, it is difficult for it to withstand the wind. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a windproof, draft-free place. Since the tree has a small trunk, it does not need a lot of space. Sandy loam or loamy soils are suitable for growing apple trees. The soil should be fertile, light, loose, and water permeable.
Apple trees can be planted in rows. Row spacing should be about 80 cm for easy harvesting. Jin's columnar apple trees should be planted in such a way that the distance between adjacent trees is about 70 cm.
Care is not difficult, but regularity is important. In summer, trees need watering, especially in the first 2-3 years after planting. It is better to use the drip irrigation method. It is important to avoid excessive moisture. This can lead to insufficient oxygen supply to the roots, which will adversely affect the condition of the tree, up to its death.
Pollination
A self-fertile apple variety that requires pollinators. Apple trees of other varieties should grow nearby, blooming at the same time as Gin.
Top dressing
To increase the yield, experts advise feeding the apple tree. After all, its root system is located close to the surface layer of the soil. You can add the following nutrient solution three times during the season: dilute 200 g of manure in a ten-liter bucket of water and add 20 g of urea.
Frost resistance
The apple tree is able to withstand a significant cold snap. Winter hardiness and frost resistance are at the proper level. The tree tolerates the winters of the middle zone and even the Urals.
If in the region of growth in winter there are cases of a significant decrease in temperatures, then the apple tree should be covered for the winter. Especially if she is young and short. The top can be beaten by frost.
Diseases and pests
The variety has good immunity to most common diseases. Differs in resistance to fungal diseases. The scab does not affect the Jin apple trees, they are immune to this disease. Pests usually bypass it as well.
The apple tree is a popular fruit crop among gardeners. It can be found in many summer cottages. But at the same time, such trees are often affected by various diseases. It is very important to recognize the disease in time and carry out the necessary procedures for a speedy recovery. Otherwise, the fruits will be spoiled, and the tree itself may die altogether.
Review overview
The Gin variety is popular among gardeners. After all, he has many advantages. Summer residents note the good immunity of the apple tree, ease of care. At the same time, they get a pretty good harvest, given the miniature size of the tree.
