Apple tree Florina

The Florina apple tree is a rare but welcome guest in Russian gardens, also found under the name Malus domestica Florina. Its fruits are distinguished by excellent marketability, they successfully transfer transportation and storage. Apples can be kept in the cellar until March; when placed in the refrigerator, these periods stretch even more, until summer.

A French variety, obtained as a result of a complex crossing. Registered in 1977. When breeding, apple trees of the varieties Malus floribunda 821, Rum Beauty, Golden Delicious, Starking and Jonathan were used. Florin was added to the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2000.

Apple trees are medium-sized, the height of the crown and trunk reaches 3 m. Skeletal branches are formed at an angle of 45-80 degrees. They are strong, strong, actively branching. The crown is wide-rounded, prone to thickening. It is easy to maintain it in order, giving the shape of a ball, to use as an element of landscape design. The leaves on the branches are deep green, oval in shape, with a slight downy on the back.

Florina is a popular European apple variety that takes root well in domestic gardens. It is well suited for commercial cultivation, fully revealing the taste and aroma of the fruit after they have been removed from the branches. The obvious advantages of the variety include:

• beautiful fruit shape;

• very long storage;

• balanced taste properties;

• ease of harvesting;

• high level of immune protection.

Florina's disadvantages include the need for a set of consumer maturity. It does not come until January, until that time the apples are stored in appropriate conditions in the cellar. Mature trees may show intermittent fruiting, without regularity. Usually, the rest falls on the 3rd season, but the problem is solved well by rationing the ovary.

The variety belongs to the winter, the collection of fruits begins in late September or early October. At this point, the apples have reached removable maturity. Fruiting begins for 2 years.

In France, the variety is cultivated everywhere. In Russia, it successfully manifests itself in moderately warm climatic zones. There is a successful experience of growing Florina in the Moscow region and neighboring regions. Zoned for the North Caucasus, steppe and forest-steppe territories of Ukraine.

The apple tree gives up to 60-70 kg of fruit per tree.

Florina apples cannot be confused with others due to their unusual aroma with light melon notes. Fruits are medium in size, weighing 110-140 g, with a ribbed surface and a general cut cylindrical shape. The skin color is light yellow, covered with a striped-blurred blush, spreading over the entire surface. She herself is dense, not very thick, with a light whitish bloom, dry, there are numerous subcutaneous points. The pulp is juicy, light yellow in color, freshly sweet.

Florina grows well on fertile soils, abundantly fertilized with fallen leaves and humus, ash and manure. The pits are required spacious, since the root system of the tree grows strongly. Cultivation is possible on dwarf and medium-sized rootstocks. In the first years, fruiting is moderate, normalizing when the plants reach 10 years of age. The variety is not afraid of dry periods, tolerates low soil moisture well.

For planting, it is recommended to select two-year-old trees up to 1.5 m high. It is important that the bark and roots do not have pronounced damage, and several shoots depart from the main trunk at once. Growths, stains, any other defects are unacceptable. When choosing a site, it is worth giving preference to well-lit places without strong shading - this factor affects the color of the fruit and the overall yield. On soil with a high level of groundwater, drainage must be arranged.

Spring planting is recommended, the pits are prepared in the fall. After transferring to the ground, 1/3 of the total length of the branches is cut off from the tree. Throughout the season, you need to check the condition of the soil, do not allow it to dry out during the rooting of the seedling in a new place.

Florina is sent for autumn storage with preliminary creation of a moisture reserve. After collecting all the fruits, 4-6 buckets of water are poured under the root, the amount should be normalized taking into account the age of the tree. In the 1st decade of November, the stem and lower branches are wrapped with an insulating layer of covering material and a film, preventing possible damage to the bark by rodents.

With the onset of spring, the trunk is released. Then trees under the age of 4 years need to carry out formative crown pruning. In subsequent years, only tops, old and damaged branches are removed.

Florina is not self-fertile. Plant pollinators nearby. Better than others, the varieties Priam, Gloucester are suitable for these purposes. The tree blooms in early spring for 10-14 days. During this period, any impacts, including insecticidal treatments, must be excluded.

Fertilizers are first applied 3 years after planting. Until this moment, the apple tree will receive nutrition from those reserves that were laid in the hole. Be sure to choose a period for feeding when the earth is well moistened. You can water it in advance or wait for rain.

In the spring, until the buds bloom, nitrogen fertilizing is applied under the apple trees. You can do with ready-made options, or dilute manure, chicken droppings, and then pour under the root. Such nutrition is needed for a plant to gain green mass.Before flowering, it is imperative to saturate the soil with potassium and phosphorus in order to create favorable conditions for the formation of ovaries. Then comes the time to add complex mineral fertilizers.

Plants are prepared for winter after harvesting the fruits. At this time, nitrogen fertilization is completely excluded. Phosphorus and potassium are introduced into the soil, then it is loosened, the trunk circle is mulched. It is necessary to repeat the feeding cycle annually.

This variety is well adapted to growing in cold climates without shelter. It is frost-resistant, but requires shelter in cold winters.

Florina is resistant to monilial burn, immune to scab. The overall assessment of the protection of the apple tree from diseases and pests is high. The variety is also resistant to such a common disease of garden trees as powdery mildew. Rust is affected only with a deficiency of potassium and phosphorus. Young seedlings are also susceptible to attacks by pests - leaf rollers, apple blossom beetle.

According to gardeners, Florina can be called a real find for the Russian climate. Late fruiting allows you to stock up on delicious apples for the whole winter, the fruits are good both in processing and fresh, suitable for making dried fruits. True, it is noted that many get the first harvest not for 2 years, as stated, but for 3-4 years after planting. For the rest, gardeners are satisfied with the amount and taste of the fruits, as well as the fact that the trees are not too demanding to care for, they tolerate wintering well.