Apple-tree bugler

Apple trees are in the garden of almost every person who has a plot. The choice of a variety depends on the climate, type of soil, ripening time, opportunities to carry out agrotechnical measures. The Gornist variety was bred by Sverdlovsk breeders by hybridizing the Ural varieties and Cinnamon striped. Despite the fact that the Hornist was bred specifically for the Ural region, it can be found in almost all regions of the country.

This variety was registered in the State Register in 2002. After successful breeding in the Middle Ural region, the Hornist began to spread widely among gardeners in different regions. An apple tree of this species grows actively, up to about 9 m in height, the crown is wide, like a pyramid. The branches are red, directed upwards, in adulthood they become spreading.

The bark of the branches is flaky. Fruiting are short shoots-ringlets, new shoots are brownish, dark and pubescent. The foliage is also pubescent, green, the surface is matte. The shape of the leaf is close to oval or resembles an egg. The flowering is spectacular, at first pinkish buds are formed, then they become milky-creamy, and when they open, they turn out to be snow-white.

The variety is classified as infertile, as it comes from a hybrid. Thus, independent pollination of the variety does not occur, for 50 flowers the ovary is formed only by 2. But this variety is perfectly pollinated by other varieties, the Hornist grows for a long time, up to 50 years.

This variety has many positive qualities. Among the main advantages, experts distinguish the following:

• excellent level of productivity;

• early ripening;

• the highest resistance to cold, which makes it possible to grow Hornist in the north;

• fruiting is regular, there are no breaks, after the start of this process, the harvest is removed annually;

• since the basis is a hybrid variety, the immune system is well developed, it copes well with many diseases typical of apple trees.

Despite the fact that the variety has many obvious advantages, it is important to consider the disadvantages before deciding to plant a tree on the site.

• The fruits are not stored for too long, the shelf life is less than a month. Therefore, it is so important to consume or process apples almost immediately after harvest.

• High immunity to diseases does not cancel the invasions of rodents and insects. Their attacks can damage the plant, due to injuries, it begins to hurt or dies. It is important to organize competent preventive measures.

• When it comes to the value of the product in terms of composition, Hornist loses a bit here too. For example, it contains a little more than 10 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.

This type of apple tree belongs to the summer period in terms of ripening. The harvest is stable, annual throughout the entire growth and life of the plant. There are no breaks in fruiting, regardless of agricultural technology.

Due to its high yield and lack of periodicity in the fruiting process, the variety is very popular. An adult tree is capable of producing about 90 kg of fruit per season. In terms of per hectare, this is about 100 centners.

The apples of this variety are not too large, their average weight is about 90 g, but there are also larger specimens - up to 100 and even 110 g. The average size is compensated by evenness, accuracy, all fruits are about the same size. Fruits of this variety have the following visual and quality characteristics:

• the skin is red with an orange undertone, smooth type, sometimes there are inclusions of cream-colored veins or a bloom of a bluish tint;

• the shape of the apples is slightly elongated, close to ovoid;

• the pulp is creamy in color;

• the fruits are very juicy, the structure of the pulp is rough, coarse-grained;

• the sugar content is high - about 14%, there are few acids;

• the taste is sweet, has only a slight sourness;

• aroma is pronounced, apple.

This variety is excellent for natural consumption and for a variety of processing. Thanks to its juiciness, it is ideal for the production of juices.

Apple trees of this variety are planted mainly in the autumn, about a month before the onset of cold. You cannot plant an apple tree just before frost, as it will not have time to adapt. This will affect the quality of spring growth, which, with adequate planting, is incredibly high. It is in the spring that the most abundant plant growth occurs.

It is recommended to plant the bugler no closer than 5 meters to other plants. This order avoids darkening, hiding the sunlight necessary for growth. In addition, agrotechnical measures are simplified with such a planting scheme.

Planting methods for Hornist are different, you can use the seedling method or grafting to other varieties. The tree is grafted by budding, and any stock is suitable - the apple variety does not play a role here. If you use the standard method, the height of the tree decreases, and significantly - up to 3 m. If you have chosen the method of planting seedlings, be sure to prepare them before the procedure. The root part is thoroughly cleaned and soaked. Solutions of phytohormones slightly diluted in water are suitable.

For planting, a site with good sunlight is selected, optimally not too acidic soil. The groundwater level should be checked, it should be located low. As for the distance between the seedlings, it is kept at least 4 m. As for other apple trees, they should not be closer than a 5-meter distance. Before planting a seedling of this variety, you need to fertilize the soil in the hole with humus.

The agricultural technology of this variety of apple trees is not too complicated. In order for the harvest to be at a good level, a number of mandatory procedures should be followed.

• Moisturizing. It is only necessary to water the variety abundantly if the summer is dry, and the drought continues for a long time. The bugler does not like too moist soils, a lot of moisture destroys its root system, and increases the likelihood of fungal infections.

• Fertilizers. Top dressing is carried out only during the planting period, when organic and mineral compounds are used. When the plant reaches the age of three, it is important to regularly apply fertilizers: ammonia nitrate, bird droppings, mullein. And you also need to mulch the area around the plant with humus.

• Loosening. The space next to the trunk must be constantly maintained in a neat condition: loosen the soil by 7-8 cm, weed from weeds, mulch with a composition of sand and humus.

• Pruning and shaping the crown. Since an adult plant takes on a spreading type, it must be constantly pruned. Damaged shoots are cut off from a young plant, weak ones should also be removed. It is also important to cut off shoots growing at a clear slope in relation to the trunk.

• Pollination.Since the variety is sterile, it requires cross-type pollination with other varietal varieties.

The apple tree of this variety is frost-resistant down to -33 degrees. But at the same time, it is necessary to take care of the plant, especially if the winter is harsh and the frosts do not last 1-2 days. If the risk of severe frosts in the region is high, you need to take care of the apple tree, mulch the area around the trunk with humus. The plant is covered with burlap.

The immunity of this variety is quite high, no species of scab typical of apple trees are afraid of it, even if the humidity level is increased. But since insects or rodents often attack the apple tree, it is necessary to carry out regular preventive measures. Nearby, the planting of aromatic plants is relevant - calendula, mint, coriander, and the trunk is whitened twice a year.