Apple-tree Kitayka Long

Many gardeners believe that apple trees are mainly grown for delicious fruit. Few people know about the decorativeness of these cultures. The variety of Chinese apple-tree Long is an excellent confirmation of this. A tree of this variety planted in the garden will attract attention throughout the growing season.

The variety was bred in the United States over 100 years ago. The work was carried out by the breeder Hansen. The American scientist took the Russian apple variety Sibirka as the initial material. The second progenitor was the American winter variety, the exact name of which is still unknown. After receiving the seedling, Hansen tested the variety in harsh climatic conditions for several months. You can often hear other names for the apple tree - Slate or Long.

An apple tree of this variety will undoubtedly adorn any garden. Its decorative appearance can be admired throughout the season. The roots of the tree are located very deep, so the variety perfectly adapts to any growing conditions. A medium-sized apple tree grows up to 4 meters in height. The trunk of the tree is not thick, the straight branches growing from it are directed upward with their ends. The apple tree has a beautiful wide-rounded crown with a lot of ringlets. Weakly pubescent shoots are colored dark purple. In spring, the crown is covered with large white flowers. Their size reaches 4 cm in diameter.

The leaves are bright green, sometimes with a plum tinge. Oblong leaf plates, many of which are folded like a boat, do not have pubescence. The edges of the leaves are slightly wavy, serrate-crenate.

The main feature of this variety of apple trees was and remains their decorative appearance.

The advantages of the Chinese apple tree can be considered for a long time:

• fruit resistance to shedding;

• high frost resistance;

• high resistance to many diseases;

• high yield ratio;

• unpretentious care.

There are a number of negative qualities of the variety, they include:

• fruits are small;

• low keeping quality of the crop;

• peculiar taste of apples.

The Chinese apple tree For a long time belongs to the early-growing varieties. The first fruits appear 4 years after the seedling is planted. Trees bear fruit irregularly. In terms of ripening, the variety is autumn. Apples pick up ripeness in early September. Depending on the region of growth, apples may ripen a little earlier.

The variety perfectly adapts to growing in regions with harsh climatic conditions. The deep root system is not afraid of cold ground. Apple trees of this variety are grown by gardeners of the West Siberian, East Siberian, Northern and Northwest regions. Due to the peculiarities of the root system, Kitayka Long adapts perfectly to the hot and arid southern regions.

Despite the fact that the tree is more often grown as a decorative decoration of the garden, its yield is quite high. One adult tree can collect up to 180 kg of fruits, sometimes this figure increases to 200 kg.

The apples are small. Basically, the weight of the fruit ranges from 11 to 16 g, in very rare cases, the weight can increase up to 20 g. Fruits have an oval-conical or ovoid shape.They are well attached to the branches and can hang there throughout the winter.

The creamy pulp is protected by a smooth skin. When fully ripe, the skin becomes red, solid, without any inclusions. A thick bluish bloom can be seen on it.

The dense and juicy flesh is riddled with red veins that run along the line of the seed nest.

Passing by the apple tree with fruits, everyone will feel the bright aroma of plum.

The apples taste sweet and sour, which not everyone may like.

Most often, fruits are used to make compotes.

100 grams of apples contain: 12.9% sugar, titratable acids - 2.42%, tannins - 214 mg, ascorbic acid - 30.8 mg (10.6-62.4), P-active compounds - 281 mg (177-385)

For planting apple-tree seedlings for a long time, you should choose an area that is in the sun or in partial shade. About a week before planting, they begin to prepare the landing site. They make holes up to 75 cm deep and 95 cm wide, apply fertilizers there. A week later, planting material is planted. It is recommended to plant trees in spring - March-April or in autumn - September-October.

To preserve a healthy species of trees, some agrotechnical requirements should be observed:

• abundant watering of trees 4-5 times per season;

• the need to mulch the near-root area after each watering;

• be sure to thin out the inflorescences;

• cut off shoots annually to form a correct and beautiful crown;

• fertilize the soil throughout the season;

• whitewash the trunk in spring and autumn.

Insects are engaged in pollination of apple tree flowers, the plum scent is very attractive to them. The variety does not need other pollinators. Gardeners do not recommend planting other varieties of apple trees nearby.

An excellent top dressing for the proper development of the tree is humus. It must be applied in spring and autumn. Fertilizer is scattered over the root system, then watered. Watering helps the fertilizer reach the roots of the apple tree faster.

The Chinese apple tree has long been well adapted to harsh climatic conditions. It can withstand temperatures down to –30 ° C.

The variety is very unpretentious and has medium resistance to various types of scab. However, there are diseases that can harm the yield and appearance of the apple tree. These include fire blight, cytosporosis and black cancer. For their prevention, it is necessary to process the culture with copper sulfate.

Preventive spraying is also needed to protect trees from insects. To do this, use a solution of "Nitrafen", chlorophos and a soap solution.