Apple tree Spartak

Delicious and juicy apples from your garden are always useful, which is why today many people want to grow a fruit tree on their own plot. For the Spartak variety, a lot of space is not required, but you need to know how to properly care for it.

The Samara Experimental Gardening Station was engaged in the work on the removal of Spartak. The seedlings of free pollination of the Sharopai variety were used as material.

This attractive tree has a dense, broad-pyramidal crown with straight, brownish-red shoots with slight pubescence. Branches, which are considered skeletal, extend from the trunk at an angle of 50 to 80 degrees.

The foliage has an oblong and at the same time oval shape. At the base, the leaf blade tapers, and the tip is slightly elongated and twisted.

Describing Spartacus, one cannot but mention its undoubted advantages. This variety belongs to the category of early-growing. Among the advantages, they note the excellent taste of apples and a high, stable yield.

He also has disadvantages: for example, Spartak has low immunity to scab. Therefore, it is important to carry out the processing of trees in a timely manner.

In terms of ripening, the described variety belongs to the autumn. Fruits reach ripeness by the end of August or the beginning of September. The consumer period is long, lasting from the middle of the first autumn month to mid-November.

By the age of 3-4, the gardener can already reap the fruits of his labors and enjoy delicious apples.

The main regions where Spartak is grown are:

• Middle Volga;
• Ural;
• East Siberian.

This variety is high-yielding. In the best years, up to 100 kilograms of fruit are harvested from the tree.

The fruits are worth mentioning separately. They are universal, sweet and sour in taste, but almost no sourness is felt. Apples have an attractive yellow color; it is difficult not to notice a slight blush on the surface, which only intensifies as the fruit ripens. Apples have a flat-rounded shape, the weight of each fruit can vary from 90 to 130 grams.

As for the skin, it is strong, but not too thick. There is a waxy coating on the surface. There are also subcutaneous points that are small and weak. Spartacus fruits can be transported over long distances, while retaining their attractiveness.

Trees require a loamy, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. It is advisable to carry out a soil test before planting.It is best to make adjustments to the mineral composition of the soil 8-12 months before planting the seedlings. It is best to plant Spartacus close to their pollinator partner, but away from forests and other tall trees.

Planting companions for Spartacus is necessary to increase productivity, as well as contain pests and diseases. Apple trees of this variety are compatible with onions, foxgloves, garlic, coriander, basil, fennel, daffodil, calendula, horsetail and nasturtium. Trees do not grow well if planted with potatoes, as they spread various bacterial and fungal diseases.

Apple trees are pruned in late winter or spring. If you notice damaged shoots, you can cut them off in the summer. All dead branches and those giving cross-growth are removed. If the grower does the pruning incorrectly, there may be a reduction in fruit production.

One of the most important requirements when growing apple trees is sunlight. Spartak apple trees get their energy from the sun, and they consume a lot of energy in the production of high-quality fruits. The heat of the sun dries the leaves and helps prevent disease. For this variety, the sun should be on the site from 10 am to 4 pm.

It is necessary to plant Spartacus trees at a distance of 3.6 m from each other. This is exactly how much is necessary for the normal development of the crown and rhizome.

To achieve successful pollination, you need to have at least 2 different varieties of apple trees on the site that bloom at the same time. Spartacus flowers actively attract flies, bees and other insects that carry pollen from the stamens to the stigma. However, in bad and rainy weather, insects do not cope with their work and the amount of harvest decreases.

As a general rule, experienced growers prefer cross-pollination, which produces sweeter and more delicious fruits. You can get some evidence of bees or graft on a young tree. Vaccination involves a combination of a rootstock and a scion of a different variety. With it, you can get the desired harvest.

Spartacus trees ripen successfully due to the high content of phosphorus and potassium, as well as other micro- and macroelements. It is very important to feed these fruit trees properly. Granular fertilizers do a good job with the deficiency of elements necessary for growth and fruiting.

It is worth applying top dressing in March, May, July and September. Do not plant grass around the Spartak apple tree: it grows vigorously and takes all the nutrients that the gardener puts in the soil for the tree. Weed should be removed around the trunk at a distance of 70 cm.

This parameter is rated as high.

Pests: apple larva, fruit fly, mites and aphids.

Diseases: leaf spot, apple scab, rust, powdery mildew and late blight.

Resistance to scab and other diseases is average. You cannot do without preventive treatment with fungicides.

To deal with pests, they use special products available in supermarkets. Insecticidal soap and garlic infusion help a lot. Adding baking soda, eggshells, and vinegar to the soil helps keep pests away.

It is important to carry out preventive treatment of seedlings of the described variety on time. When it rains, there is no point in spraying them; exceptionally dry weather is suitable for the procedure. Fungicides and insecticides are sprayed in early spring before the buds have opened. After ten days, the procedure is repeated more than once. Processing is carried out before harvesting.