Content
Breeders work day after day to obtain new crops for cultivation in every climate region. The Darunok apple variety was specially bred for the Republic of Belarus. It has an impressive yield, frost resistance and excellent immunity to traditional diseases of fruit crops.
Breeding history
The Darunok variety is relatively new - it was first mentioned in the Belarusian Institute of Fruit Growing in 2003. The authors of the project are G. Kovalenko, Z. Kozlovskaya and G. Marudo. The apple tree was included in the State Register of the Republic of Belarus only after lengthy tests in 2011.
Description of the Darunok apple variety with a photo
The Darunok variety was specially bred for cultivation in the climate of Belarus, so it tolerates moderate winters quite easily, and is also able to survive for some time without precipitation. The powerful root system of an adult tree allows you to easily withstand short-term drying out of the soil.
Darunok apple fruits have a small layer of waxy bloom
Depending on the rootstock used, the timing of the first harvests may vary. On dwarf and undersized rootstocks, fruits appear in the 2-3 year of the tree's life. On average, 3-4 years pass from the moment of planting a one-year-old seedling to the first harvest, depending on the care and growing conditions.
Fruit and tree appearance
The apple tree has a medium-sized main bole, rarely reaches a height of more than 3-4 m.The branches of an adult Darunka form a spherical crown with a diameter of up to 6 m.The variety belongs to trees of medium growth, which means that the height of the apple tree increases by no more than 20 per year. -30 cm.
The most significant factor when choosing this variety for a summer cottage or garden plot is the appearance of the fruit. Darunok means “gift” in Belarusian - the reason for this name becomes clear. Fruits are very large, reaching 180-200 g. Their shape is slightly asymmetrical, barely noticeable ribs are present on the surface. The pulp is greenish. The dense red skin has a strong waxy coating.
Life span
The active growing season of any apple tree can vary due to many factors. Regardless of the variety, most trees live up to 30-40 years, keeping the period of active fruiting up to 25 years. When Darunka is grown on dwarf or undersized rootstocks, its lifespan can drop to 15-20 years. Most of the data is presented only in theory, since the variety was licensed less than 10 years ago and, as a result, not a single tree, provided it is properly cared for, has completed its active growing season.
Taste
When choosing a variety of apple trees for their summer cottage, many gardeners first of all think about the taste of future fruits. Darunok has a balanced composition. For every 100 g of pulp, there are:
- sugar - 11.75%;
- RSV - 12.8%;
- acids - 0.7%.
Moderate sugar content makes Darunok apples a balanced flavor
According to the data of Kaluga University, the sugar-acid index of Darunok apples is 16.1. A sufficient amount of carbohydrates makes the fruit taste bright and not cloying. According to tasting studies conducted by Belarusian scientists, the average Darunka score is 4.1 on a 5-point scale.
Growing regions
Given the initial efforts of scientists to develop an ideal cultivar for cultivation in the continental climate of Belarus, it is clear that it can be easily grown in almost all regions of central Russia and Ukraine. The only exceptions are the regions located north of St. Petersburg.
The apple tree is quite easy to cultivate in more severe climates. With proper care of the tree, it bears fruit abundantly in the Urals and western Siberia, as well as in the Far Eastern region.
Yield
During the tests of Belarusian breeders, the Darunok variety amazed with abundant harvests - it was possible to harvest up to 50-70 tons of fruits from one hectare. Of course, in his garden, a rare person will be able to recreate such ideal conditions. According to statistics, the average yield of an apple tree is 25-30 tons per hectare.
Frost resistant
Darunok has enhanced frost resistance compared to its predecessors. In continental winter conditions, the apple tree of this variety can easily withstand short temperature drops of up to -30 degrees. Longer cold weather requires additional insulation of the trunk and branches from the gardener.
The apple tree of this variety easily withstands short-term frosts.
A feature of the variety is its resistance to return cold even after the beginning of flowering. Late spring frosts and near-zero temperatures do not damage the buds. Budding temporarily stops and resumes immediately after stabilization of weather conditions.
Disease and pest resistance
At the time of selection, scientists at the genetic level laid a gene in the apple tree that makes it completely resistant to scab and other ailments. Despite this, experienced gardeners strongly recommend a number of preventive measures to prevent fungal and infectious diseases.
The Darunok apple tree remains susceptible to common pests. The most dangerous for her are the apple moth, goose, beetle and kidney weevil. At the first signs of infection, the plant is treated with complex insecticidal preparations.
Flowering period and ripening period
Despite its resistance to early spring frosts, the Darunok apple tree is in no hurry to bloom. The first buds appear in the second and third decade of May. The fruits are characterized by a long ripening period. Ripe apples are harvested at the end of September. It is important to do this before the first autumn frosts, which can spoil the taste of the fruit.
Darunok apple pollinators
This variety is self-pollinated. In the conditions of monoplanting of apple trees, Darunok does not need additional varieties to improve fruiting. At the same time, they can act as pollinators for species, provided that they have the same flowering time.
Transportation and keeping quality
The Darunok variety is a winter variety, which means that its consumer maturity comes towards the end of November. Like other similar species, it has excellent maturation parameters. Subject to simple requirements, the freshness of apples is maintained until the first spring months.
Darunok fruits retain their consumer properties for 5-6 months
The dense structure and strong rind provide excellent opportunities for transporting ripe fruits to storage or sale. Even when transported in bags or in bulk, the skin is not injured. Considering the later period of consumer maturity, Darunok apples will definitely survive the journey in a couple of weeks, even to a distant city.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pointing to the advantages and disadvantages of the Darunok variety, it should be understood that it was bred specifically for a specific cultivation area. The main advantages are as follows:
- high winter hardiness in a continental climate;
- large fruits with a balanced taste;
- endurance for transportation;
- long shelf life;
- self-pollination;
- scab immunity;
- early fruiting.
When compared with the more yielding southern varieties, low fruiting and insufficient sweetness could be distinguished. But if grown in the local climate, the Darunok variety does not have any significant disadvantages.
Landing
The most important step in getting a healthy mature tree is when rooting in open ground. If some rules are not followed, you can destroy the apple tree or significantly delay its fruiting. Planting Darunka begins with the selection of a seedling. It is best to give preference to a one-year-old plant - older specimens take root with difficulty.
The grafting site of the apple tree should protrude above ground level
The planting of Darunok apple trees is carried out in the spring after warming up the soil. Six months before this, it is necessary to dig large planting holes, measuring 1x1x1 m.A mullein bucket is laid on the bottom of each, after which it is sprinkled with loose earth so that its edge touches the lower parts of the roots. The Darunka seedling is placed in the center of the planting pit so that its root collar protrudes 1-2 cm above the ground level, after which it is covered with soil and trampled. The apple tree is watered abundantly to activate the root system.
Growing
The most important period in the life of an apple tree is the first year after planting in open ground. During this period, it is necessary to ensure the most frequent watering for accelerated vegetation. It is important that the trunks do not dry out. For this purpose, they are periodically loosened and mulched with a thin layer of sawdust.
In the first year after planting, Darunok's apple trees do not need additional bait - a mullein in the planting pits will be enough. In the future, trees of this variety are fed with complex fertilizers 2 times - after the snow melts and the harvest.
Care
For proper vegetation of the Darunok apple variety, sanitary and formative pruning is necessary. In the first case, after the snow melts, it is necessary to inspect the plant, removing dead branches and thinning. The formation is aimed at creating a lush spherical crown.
Every gardener should remember that any large tree has an extensive root system. The trunks need constant weed removal, otherwise there is a possibility that they will not receive enough moisture during irrigation.
Collection and storage
At the end of September, they start harvesting Darunka fruits. Given that the apple tree belongs to the late varieties, it is necessary to approach the collection of fruits with special care. It is worth avoiding sharp throws of the fruit into the basket, so as not to damage the skin and not leave a dent. To increase the shelf life, Darunok is harvested together with the stalk.
Harunok apples are harvested together with the stalk
For storing apples, you can use ordinary wooden pallets, and special containers, in which separate indentations are provided for each fruit.After full consumer maturity in late autumn, each apple is wrapped in paper to maximize shelf life. Storage should be done in a cold room - a suburban cellar or unheated basement is best.
Conclusion
The Darunok apple variety is ideal for growing in a continental climate. The tree, which is undemanding to care for, easily survives short frosts and pleases the owners with abundant harvests of large tasty fruits that will retain useful substances and presentation until spring.
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