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The Golden Delicious apple variety was spread from the USA. At the end of the 19th century, the seedlings were discovered by the farmer A.Kh. Mullins of West Virginia. Golden Delicious is one of the symbols of the state, which is also included in the 15 best varieties in America.
In the Soviet Union, the variety was entered in the State Register in 1965. It is grown in the North Caucasus, Central, Northwest and other regions of the country. In Russia, this variety of apple is known under the names "Golden excellent" and "Apple-pear".
Variety characteristic
Description of Golden Delicious apple tree:
- tree height up to 3 m;
- in young plants, the bark is cone-shaped, when entering the fruiting stage, it is wide, round;
- adult plants have a crown resembling a weeping willow in shape;
- fruiting of an apple tree begins at 2-3 years;
- shoots of medium thickness, slightly curved;
- oval leaves with a widened base and pointed tips;
- rich green leaves;
- flowers are white with a pinkish tinge.
Fruit characteristics:
- rounded slightly conical shape;
- medium sizes;
- weight 130-200 g;
- dry rough skin;
- unripe fruits of a bright green color, as they ripen, acquire a yellow color;
- greenish pulp, sweet, juicy and aromatic, acquires a yellowish tint during storage;
- dessert sweet-sour taste, improves with long-term storage.
The tree is harvested from mid-October. When stored in a cool place, apples are good for consumption until March. In places with dry air, they lose some juiciness.
Fruits from trees are harvested with care. Deformation of apples is possible under mechanical action.
Photo of an apple tree variety Golden Delicious:
Apples endure long transportation. The variety is suitable for growing for sale, eating fresh fruits and processing.
The variety is distinguished by its increased productivity. About 80-120 kg are collected from an adult tree. Fruiting is periodic, depending on care and weather conditions.
The Golden Delicious variety needs a pollinator. The apple tree is self-fertile. The best pollinators are Jonathan, Redgold, Melrose, Freiberg, Prima, Kuban spur, Korah. Trees are planted every 3 m.
Resistance to frost and winter frost is low. In regions with a cold climate, the apple tree often freezes out. Trees need disease treatments.
Planting an apple tree
The Golden Delicious apple tree is planted in a prepared area. Seedlings are purchased in proven centers and nurseries. With proper planting, the life of the tree will be up to 30 years.
Site preparation
A sunny area protected from the wind is allocated under the apple tree. The location should be away from buildings, fences and mature fruit trees.
The apple tree is planted from the southeast or south side. In regions with cold climates, planting is allowed next to the walls of the building. The fence will provide protection from the wind, and the sun's rays are reflected from the walls and warms the soil better.
The apple tree prefers fertile light soil. In such a soil, the roots gain access to oxygen, the tree assimilates nutrients and develops well. The permissible location of groundwater is up to 1.5 m. At a higher level, the winter hardiness of the tree decreases.
Plants with an open root system are suitable for planting. It is best to purchase plants just before starting work.
Work order
The apple tree is planted in the spring at the end of April or in the fall in September.The planting hole is dug a month before the start of work.
Photo of the Golden Delicious apple tree after planting:
The order of planting an apple tree:
- First, they dig a hole 60x60 cm in size and 50 cm deep.
- Add 0.5 kg of ash and a bucket of compost to the soil. A small hill is poured at the bottom of the pit.
- The roots of the tree are straightened and the apple tree is placed on the hill. The root collar is placed 2 cm above the ground.
- A wooden support is driven into the hole.
- The roots of the apple tree are covered with earth, which is well compacted.
- A recess is made around the trunk for watering.
- The apple tree is abundantly watered with 2 buckets of water.
- The seedling is tied to a support.
- When the water is absorbed, the soil is mulched with humus or peat.
In areas with poor soil, the size of the hole under the tree is increased to 1 m. The amount of organic matter is increased to 3 buckets, 50 g of potassium salt and 100 g of superphosphate are additionally introduced.
Variety care
The Golden Delicious apple tree gives a high yield with regular care. The variety is not resistant to drought, therefore, special attention is paid to watering. Several times per season, trees are fed with mineral or organic fertilizers. For the prevention of diseases, spraying with special preparations is performed.
Watering
Every week the seedling is watered with warm water. One month after planting, one watering every 3 weeks is sufficient.
For watering the tree, furrows are made around the crown circumference 10 cm deep. In the evening, the apple tree is watered by sprinkling. The soil should be soaked to a depth of 70 cm.
The first introduction of moisture is performed before bud break. Trees under 5 years old are watered weekly. An adult apple tree is watered after flowering during the formation of ovaries, then 2 weeks before harvesting. In drought, trees require additional watering.
Top dressing
At the end of April, the Golden Delicious apple tree is fed with organic matter containing nitrogen. 3 buckets of humus are introduced into the soil. Of the minerals, urea can be used in an amount of 0.5 kg.
Before flowering, trees are fed with superphosphate and potassium sulfate. 40 g of potassium sulfate and 50 g of superphosphate are measured into a 10-liter bucket of water. Substances are dissolved in water and poured on the apple tree under the root.
The last processing is carried out after harvesting. Under the tree, 250 g of potash and phosphorus fertilizers are applied.
Pruning
Correct pruning promotes crown formation and stimulates the fruiting of the apple tree. Processing is carried out in spring and autumn.
In the spring, dry and frozen shoots are eliminated. The remaining branches are shortened, leaving 2/3 of the length. Be sure to cut out the shoots growing inside the tree. When several branches are intertwined, the youngest of them are left.
In the fall, dry and broken branches of the apple tree are also cut off, healthy shoots are shortened. A cloudy day is chosen for processing. Sections are treated with garden pitch.
Disease protection
According to the description, the Golden Delicious apple tree is affected by scab, a fungal disease that penetrates the bark of trees. As a result, yellow spots appear on the leaves and fruits, which darken and crack.
In the fall, the soil is dug under the apple tree, and the crown is sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate. Before the growing season and after its completion, trees are treated with Zircon to protect them from scab.
The resistance of the Golden Delicious apple tree to powdery mildew is assessed as medium. The disease has the appearance of a whitish bloom that affects shoots, buds and leaves. Their withering away gradually occurs.
For preventive purposes, trees are sprayed from powdery mildew with Horus or Tiovit Jet preparations. Apple tree treatments are allowed to be carried out in 10-14 days. No more than 4 sprays are carried out per season.
To combat diseases, the affected parts of the trees are eliminated, fallen leaves are burned in the fall.Crown pruning, watering rationing, and regular feeding helps to protect plantings from diseases.
During the growing season of the apple tree from insects, biological products are used that do not harm plants and humans: Bitoxibacillin, Fitoverm, Lepidocid.
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Conclusion
The Golden Delicious apple tree is a common variety that is grown in the southern regions. The variety is in demand in the USA and Europe, it is distinguished by tasty fruits that have universal application. The tree is looked after by watering and fertilizing. The variety is susceptible to diseases, therefore, during the season, they follow the rules of agricultural technology and carry out several preventive treatments.
