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Gardeners take many factors into account when choosing apple varieties for a plot: the ripening time and taste of apples, the height of the tree and the rules for caring for it, the frost resistance of apple trees and various other indicators. The Uslada apple variety was looked after for their gardens by many summer residents due to its excellent characteristics.
This variety has proven itself well in the central regions of Russia, as it winters well and matures in areas with rainy summers.
Description of the variety
The height of the tree does not exceed 3.5-4 meters. In young apple trees, the outline of the crown is closer to a round shape, and during the growth of the tree, the crown acquires an oval-elongated shape.
Fruits weighing 105-135 grams ripen in a round, slightly oval shape. With proper care, an apple gains weight up to 170 grams. Apples have a smooth and not very thick skin. The color of the fruit has a greenish-yellow color with a characteristic deep crimson shade in the form of a "blush". The reddish tint can cover the entire surface of the apple or form wide stripes of a washed-out red tone (as shown).
Apple pulp is most often white, but sometimes fruits with pale pinkish pulp are found. Apples of the Uslada variety belong to dessert ones and are distinguished by a rich sour-sweet taste. Raspberry notes can be distinguished in the aroma of ripe fruits.
Apples Uslada should be attributed to universal varieties - the fruits are tasty fresh, excellently used for conservation, winter harvesting and are well stored. A distinctive feature of the variety - the characteristics of the apple are especially suitable for baby and diet food.
Advantages of the variety:
- excellent winter hardiness;
- early maturity - the apple tree begins to bear fruit after 4-5 years;
- bountiful annual harvest;
- elegant and appetizing appearance of apples;
- scab resistance.
Some summer residents consider the lack of uniformity of apples as a disadvantage.
Moreover, the Uslada variety is considered a semi-dwarf tree and does not cause trouble with pruning branches.
Recommendations for growing an apple tree and care
Probably all summer residents and gardeners will agree that the Uslada apple tree does not claim special care and is grateful for periodic attention.
Planting an apple tree
It is better to allocate spring time for planting seedlings of Uslada. At the end of April, the soil practically thawed. If the opportunity to plant Uslada appeared only in the fall, then it is advisable to take up seedlings in September-early October. In this case, the apple tree can still take root and take root until the cold season.
When planting Uslada, it is important to choose the right pollinator tree.
Next to the Uslada apple tree, trees of the same group should be placed, with a suitable flowering period.
For cross-pollination of Uslada, the varieties President, Bogatyr, Grushovka are optimal.
Delight apple trees do not grow luxuriously spreading. However, when laying a garden, it is necessary to provide for a distance between individual apple trees of at least 4-5 meters. This measure will provide each tree with good lighting and ventilation. Preparatory work is carried out before landing.
- It is recommended to choose a place for planting a seedling Uslada in advance. A hole is dug a week before planting to a depth of about 70 cm.
- Humus, mineral fertilizers (superphosphate, a mixture of potash and nitrogen fertilizers) are poured onto the bottom of the pit. Be sure to pour some soil on top and mix everything gently.
- After a week, the apple tree is placed in a hole, spreading the roots, and covered with soil. Water abundantly so that the earth in the pit is compacted. After 7-8 days, it is recommended to repeat the abundant watering.
The best option is to drive in two / three pegs along the edges of the pit and fix the seedling between them with ropes (as in the photo).
Chernozem, of course, is a universal soil for apple trees. But Delight takes root well and bears fruit in various lands. A generous harvest is ensured with conscientious care, timely watering, periodic loosening of the soil and fertilization.
Watering and feeding trees
Autumn feeding of the Uslada apple tree is carried out to preserve and ensure fertility. It is best to use organic fertilizers during this period - manure or dung. If a compost pit is equipped at the dacha, then composting can be carried out at the rate of 8 kg per square meter.
In the spring, during bud setting and during the flowering period of Delight, it is useful to fertilize the soil with a mineral composition. Complex fertilizers are applied when watering apple trees.
For proper watering, water must be poured into a special ditch (15-20 cm deep), shaped around the apple tree in the form of a circle.
When carrying out irrigation work, it is important to take into account the relief of the site. On level ground, furrows are usually leveled by loosening the soil. If the garden is laid out on a slope, then it is advisable to form a roller around the apple tree trunk or equip a hole. Such measures will help to retain moisture during artificial irrigation and during rains.
Water rates are determined by the age of the apple tree.
During dry periods, trees are naturally watered more often. This is especially important during flowering and setting of apples. As a result of a lack of moisture, part of the ovary may fall off, and the apples will not pick up juice and will be small.
Pruning apple trees
A distinctive feature of the Uslada variety is that when the crown thickens, apples begin to ripen in different sizes. To avoid such a problem, it is recommended for this variety to be sure to prune unnecessary branches.
Spring is the best time to prune your apple tree. The sap flow has not yet begun and you can see the branches that are superfluous.
When pruning, the crown is thinned out - branches that interfere with each other and thicken the tree in the summer are removed. The tops are necessarily cut off. These are strong fatty shoots that take sap from the tree. They thicken the crown and never bear fruit. Pruning aged apple trees Delight still has a rejuvenating value.
When pruning branches, the places of the cuts must be covered with garden varnish, which accelerates the healing of the branch, prevents the penetration of fungal diseases and stops the flow of juice from the cut.
Harvesting
The apple variety Uslada belongs to the autumn varieties. But you can start harvesting from the end of August or the beginning of September. As a rule, Delicacy cuttings hold fruit well, so there is no need to be afraid that the apples will crumble. Ripe apples are well stored, but it is advisable to eat them within a month.
If you pick the fruit a little unripe, then the apples can lie until mid-winter. True, subject to storage conditions:
- it is advisable to put apples in well-ventilated containers;
- it is better to store boxes in a dark room, at an air temperature of +2 ˚ C to + 5 C.
Careful care and timely thinning of the crown contribute to an increase in the yield of the Uslada variety. And then about 80 kg of apples can be harvested from one adult tree.
Diseases and pests of the apple tree
The Uslada apple tree is distinguished by its amazing resistance to scab, as well as to various pests and fungal diseases.
Gardeners do not use any special measures to protect the Uslada apple tree. But as a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat the apple tree with Bordeaux liquid in early spring. Spraying should be done before the buds dissolve.
Due to its unpretentiousness and endurance, such an apple tree can decorate the site of even a novice gardener.
