Apple tree Korobovka

Korobovka, otherwise known as Medunichka, Skorospelka or Ranetka, is a rather rare guest in the gardens of modern summer residents. However, this apple variety can still be found in old areas, and it should be paid more attention, since its fruits taste honey, although they have a nondescript color.

Korobovka is an old variety of Russian folk selection, it was bred by Isaev S.I., and the first mention of the variety dates back to 1855. The synonyms assigned to the variety speak for themselves, and are given to the apple tree for its qualities - both taste and species.

On the territory of Poland, ranetki are included in the list of crops of value for their juicy, sweet fruits and excellent hereditary characteristics. These trees were never grown on an industrial scale, although they were common in the lands of Belarus, the Baltic States and Ukraine.

As a rule, this is a tree about 2-5 meters high with a broom-shaped crown. As the tree ages, its crown takes on a more spreading shape. The leaves of Korobovka are medium in size or small, rounded-elliptical, slightly curved, but dense. The leaf plate is leathery, dark green in color, shiny, slightly wrinkled and slightly pubescent, which gives the tree a special decorative effect. Shoots of a dark brown shade.

The advantages of this variety include its high resistance to frost and, which is so necessary for the northern regions of Russia, high temperatures, which makes this variety suitable for cultivation in southern latitudes. Among the advantages are:

• early ripening of apples, their excellent taste;

• low demands on the composition and quality of the soil;

• fragile branches of an apple tree.

Among the cons are:

• self-infertility;

• late entry into the fruiting period;

• smallness of fruits;

• moderate productivity;

• frequent defeat by the moth.

Young trees enter the fruiting period at the 8th year of life after planting (late-fruiting) and bear fruit annually, with each fruiting period the harvest increases, but at the age of 20 the apple tree's yield decreases, over time it disappears.

Korobovka among apple trees belongs to the early summer varieties, which allows you to feast on fruits already in the middle of summer, but apples are not stored for long, keeping quality is 2-3 weeks.

On the territory of the Moscow region, Korobovka is grown without observing agrotechnical measures. This is due to the fact that the land is quite nutritious and the climate is favorable.

In Siberia and the Urals, the top of the apple tree often freezes, but this does not affect the quality of the crop in any way. In the Leningrad region, with high humidity, Korobovka is grown under vigilant control, with the obligatory loosening of the upper layers of the soil, since with an excess of moisture, the risk of infection of the tree with fungal and bacterial diseases increases. Despite this, the apple tree easily takes root in the area and grows quite successfully.

The yield of Korobovka is considered moderate, 60-70 kg of apples can be harvested from one tree. The fruits are firmly attached to the branches, which allows them to maintain their qualities.Harvesting is usually done in the afternoon when the humidity in the air is low.

For example, in the Oryol region, the harvest begins in early August. If the trees are planted on the south side of the site, then the apples are harvested earlier than the specified time, since they ripen quite quickly in the sun.

The size of Korobovka's apple, as already mentioned, is small, the shape of the fruit is often unequal, without prominent ribs, flat. The color is dirty green, sometimes yellow, with dull red-orange stripes, interspersed. The skin of the fruit is thin but dense, smooth and oily to the touch. The apple tastes like honey, the sour taste is not felt. The pulp of the fruit is yellowish, dense, of medium hardness. The aroma is honey. The weight of one fruit fluctuates around 30-50 g.

Young trees are planted in open ground in spring at the age of 2 years, dormant buds are a prerequisite. Plants aged 4 years are recommended to be planted in the fall, after the foliage has fallen off.

The earthen mixture should be loose and nutritious. It is worth adding humus, sulfate and superphosphate to the substrate. The soil is dug to the depth of the shovel bayonet. A distance of 1.5 meters is observed between trees, and at least 6 meters between rows.

Since the variety is sterile, more attention should be paid to pollination. If varieties such as White filling, Antonovka, Cinnamon or Papirovka are planted next to Korobovka, then pollination will not occur. The thing is that these apple trees are not intended for growth and development close to each other due to their peculiarities of pollination. Therefore, it is worth adding varieties to Korobovka whose ripening period coincides with it, that is, all early ripening ones.

It is necessary to feed the plant every year, starting in spring, when the period of growth of roots and shoots is activated. And also fertilizers affect the number of fruits, allow the tree to more easily adapt to temperature changes.

The following groups are used as fertilizers:

• mineral:

• organic;

• complex.

The use of each type of feeding allows the apple tree to fully develop. Fertilizers are applied to the soil through irrigation, and they are also used as spraying; all substances are able to be absorbed by the plant through the leaf blades (absorption).

Korobovka has high frost resistance. Able to easily survive frosts at -23 ° C without shelter. But young trees planted in open ground are recommended to be covered in the first winters.

The korobovka is very resistant to insect attacks, but with improper care it is affected by the moth. And also the apple tree is relatively resistant to scab. At the first signs of infection, it is necessary to remove the damaged areas, and treat the plants with special preparations.

Korobovka is not only a long-liver among varietal apple trees, but is also often used as a mother tree for grafting and breeding new hybrids. A beautiful apple tree, ideal for Russian winters and sometimes "poor" lands, deserves attention and a return to modern gardens.