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The Geneva Earley apple variety has established itself as a high-yielding and early ripening variety. It was bred relatively recently, but has already managed to win the love of many residents of Russia. Due to their early ripening and pleasant sweet and sour taste, apples are snapped up, and they are eaten by autumn.
The bright color of the Geneva Earley apples attracts birds, often this causes damage to the fruit while still on the tree.
Breeding history
The Geneva Earley apple variety was bred by breeders at the American test station "Geneva" in 1964. It was obtained in the course of work on the pollination of Cuban varieties. For this, special foreign species were selected, characterized by large red fruits, and local ones, which are adapted to a cool climate and early ripening. As a result of crossing the varieties Quinti and Julired, 176 seedlings were obtained, among which the sample NY 444 was selected, which was later renamed Geneva Early. Geneva Earley received mass distribution in America in 1982.
In Russia, the variety was registered only in 2017. The originator was announced to be LLC "Sady Belogorya".
Description of Geneva apple tree with photo
The Geneva Earley apple tree is usually characterized as medium-sized. But a lot depends on the rootstock, so it can sometimes be described as vigorous. The crop is produced mainly on simple and complex ringlets. In warm regions, fruiting of the variety can occur on last year's increments.
Mainly, only the upper parts of the apple are red, this suggests that the sun fell on these areas.
The Geneva Earley variety is characterized as a table variety. The high content of pectin in apples makes it possible not only to eat them fresh, but also to prepare delicious jelly, various types of mousses and marmalade. Thanks to their spicy notes, they make a delicious aromatic wine or cider. In addition, drying, juices, compotes and preserves are made from the fruits of the Geneva Earley variety.
Fruit and tree appearance
The height of the tree is from 3.5 to 5 m. The crown is dense, round, wide-pyramidal in shape. The branches grow compactly, departing from the trunk at an angle close to a straight line. They are drooping, often crooked. Their number depends on the height of the tree: there are many branches on high branches, and less on low branches. The height can be determined independently by annual circumcision. Shoots are covered with a low dense edge, of medium thickness.
The foliage is dark green. The shape of the leaf is oblong, with a wavy-serrate edge, pointed towards the end. Its base is arcuate, its apex is sharp. On the reverse side, the leaves are heavily pubescent. Inflorescences are white-pink, five-leafed, saucer-shaped. Flowering occurs early. The petals are slightly wavy at the edges.
The mass of apples ranges from 150 to 170 g (however, according to the State Register, it is 90 g), they are 8 cm in diameter. The color is yellow-green, with a pink blush. Conical-rounded in shape, sometimes round-flat ones come across. The skin is smooth and shiny, with a slight white waxy coating. The subcutaneous points are small, hardly noticeable. The funnel is medium in size, not too deep, without rusty deposits. The pulp is light, juicy and aromatic. In the photo below, you can clearly see a description of the Geneva Earley apples:
On a branch, apples are arranged in a bunch of 4-5 pieces
Life span
For 1 year, the growth of branches is 1.5-2 cm. With proper and timely pruning of the crown, a mature tree will reach about 4 m. Stable care will provide an annual harvest for 15-20 years in advance.
Taste
The pulp is juicy, crispy, semi-oily. The consistency is medium-dense, interspersed with small grains. Her tasting indicators are from 4.1 to 4.7 (out of a possible 5). The aroma of apples is pronounced, the taste is rich, sweet and sour, well balanced, with wine spicy hints.
Growing regions
The cultivation of the Geneva Earley apple tree is recommended in the Central Black Earth region, namely: in the Oryol, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tambov, Kursk, Belgorod regions.
The profitability of planting the Geneva Early apple tree is confirmed not only by a photo of the fruit or a description of the variety by the originator, but also by real reviews. Consumers claim that the warmer and milder the climate, the more comfortable the tree will be, the sweeter and larger the fruit will grow.
Yield
The culture is characterized by high early maturity: the first crop can be harvested even in the year of planting. But it will be more useful for the tree if the flowers are plucked. Thus, all forces will go into the growth and strengthening of the seedling and its rhizomes.
Fruiting is annual, regular. The first harvest is about 5 kg. One tree up to 10 years old gives about 50 kg per season, an adult - up to 130 kg. The yield per hectare is on average 152 centners. A description of the harvest of apples of the Geneva Earley variety from 1 adult tree is shown clearly in the photo below:
Red peel indicates a large amount of vitamin C in apples.
Frost resistant
The variety Geneva Earley is one of the best among the early ripening varieties in terms of winter hardiness. The tree can withstand negative temperatures up to - 29 aboutC. In addition, the culture tolerates hot, dry summers. But in this case, the yield and the size of the fruit will decrease.
Disease and pest resistance
The Geneva Earley variety is immune to most diseases of fruit trees. The most common disease is scab. This fungus infects weakened trees, settles on damaged leaves or branches. Fighting it includes spraying with preparations containing copper. The procedure is carried out both in the fight against the disease, and for prophylactic purposes. Processing is carried out three times: before and after flowering, and after full harvest.
Flowering period and ripening period
Early flowering of the Geneva Earley apple tree. The pollen has good vitality. The flowers of Geneva Early are able to withstand even late spring frosts.
Fruiting is record-breaking early, 7-10 days ahead of the White filling. In the southern regions, the first apples are harvested in mid-July, in latitudes to the north - from the end of July.
Neighborhood with other tall trees will darken the area, which will adversely affect the size and taste of apples
Pollinators
The apple tree of the Geneva Earley variety is not self-fertile, it needs pollinators. Due to the early flowering, only a few are suitable. Recognized as the best: Discovery, Grushevka Moskovskaya, Celeste, Idared, Delikates. In addition to them, there may be a neighborhood with the varieties James Grieve, Golden Delicious, Elstar, Gloucester, Ambassi.
Transportation and keeping quality
In describing the Geneva Earley apple variety, it is important to mention that the fruits do not tolerate transportation and storage well. Shelf life in the basement is 2 weeks, storage in the refrigerator in the fruit and vegetable compartment reaches 3 weeks. Best consumed fresh shortly after harvest.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of the Geneva Earley apple tree is its early fruiting. While other varieties are just beginning to sing, Geneva Earley apples can already be enjoyed.
After the winter cold, you want as much fresh fruit as possible, so the apples do not stale in the refrigerator
Pros:
- annual yield;
- the first collection of fruits occurs in the first 2-3 years;
- bright beautiful peel;
- harvesting is gradual, and can occur up to 4 times in 1 season;
- resistance to diseases and pests, in particular, to powdery mildew;
- tolerates cold and heat well;
- pleasant sweet and sour taste;
- versatility in application.
Minuses:
- the need for proximity to the pollinator;
- poor transportability;
- poor keeping quality.
Planting and leaving
The planting of the Geneva Early apple tree takes place in the spring or fall. The latter is preferable, since the tree will have enough time to acclimatize and gain strength. The optimal time is the beginning of October or the end of March.
The Geneva Earley variety needs fertile black soil. The soil should be loose, fertilized. The place for the seedling should be sunny, in an open area.
Algorithm of actions:
- Dig a hole. The depth should be about 1 m, width up to 80 cm. Place nitrogen-containing fertilizers, wood ash and manure at the bottom of the hole. Let the pit sit for a few weeks.
- Drive a long stake in the middle of the hole. The trunk of a young tree will subsequently be tied to it.
- Dip the roots of a young seedling in a clay solution before planting.
- Place the seedling in the center of the hole, bury it with fertilized soil, tamp it.
- It is good to water the tree, tie it to the trellis.
Caring for the Geneva Early apple tree includes:
Watering | For 1 season, 4 watering will be required: during the growing season, during flowering, ripening, after harvesting. At a time, you will need 10 liters of warm, preferably rainwater. |
Fertilizing the soil | During the growing season, the tree needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers, during flowering and fruiting - with the content of potassium and phosphorus. |
Loosening | Held several times a month, as well as after full harvest. After loosening, add mulch. |
Whitewashing the trunk | Processing is carried out with lime or garden paint. |
Disease prevention | Routine treatment with fungicides and copper-containing preparations is carried out. |
Crown formation | In the fall, dry and damaged branches are pruned. In spring, lower and densely growing shoots should be removed. On the 1st tier, 4 strongest branches should be left, everything else should be cut off. |
Collection and storage
Harvesting from Geneva Early apple trees begins from the 2nd half of July and lasts until the end of August. It takes place in several passes, which is convenient for small farms or private gardeners, but costly for large companies. In total, 2-3 collection procedures are carried out. According to reviews about the Geneva Earley apples, if they are not picked from the trees in time, they will begin to crumble. Due to mechanical damage, fruit cracking, rotting, loss of taste occurs. The fruits are stored only for quick use, no more than 3 weeks.
Sour taste can be beneficial: jam, marshmallow and homemade charlotte will appeal to anyone
Conclusion
The Geneva Earley apple variety is great for kids. The fruits ripen early, they are tasty and sweet. Due to these properties, long-term storage in a basement or refrigerator is meaningless, since the crop is eaten long before the end of the season. Crop maintenance involves a few simple steps, which makes the Geneva Earley tree invaluable.
