Content
Apple Orlik is a reliable and proven variety, adapted to the difficult Russian conditions. The variety has a high yield and frost resistance. Subject to the rules of planting and care, the life of a tree is up to 50 years.
Description of the variety
The Orlik variety was obtained at the Oryol Experimental Station in 1959. Domestic scientists T.A.Trofimova and E.N.Sedov were engaged in its breeding. The next 10 years were required to improve the variety, which made it possible to increase the yield and frost resistance.
The appearance of the tree
Orlik belongs to winter ripening varieties. The apple tree grows small, the crown is round and compact. The branches are at right angles to the trunk, their ends are slightly raised.
You can evaluate the appearance of the Orlik variety by the photo:
The bark of the apple tree has a yellowish tint, it is smooth to the touch. Shoots are straight, brown in color. The buds are medium, in the form of a cone, strongly pressed against the shoots.
The leaves of the Orlik apple tree are distinguished by a rich green color and an oval shape. They are quite large and wrinkled. The edges of the leaves are coarse, and the tips are slightly pointed.
A characteristic feature of the Orlik variety is the rich pink color of the buds, while the blossoming flowers are distinguished by a pinkish tint.
Features of the fruit
Orlik apples correspond to the following variety description:
- conical shape;
- medium sizes;
- the mass of apples is from 100 to 120 g;
- waxy coating on the peel;
- when harvested, apples are greenish-yellow;
- the harvested crop gradually changes color to light yellow with a red blush;
- dense and juicy cream-colored pulp;
- sweet and sour harmonious taste.
The chemical composition of the fruit has the following characteristics:
- sugar content - up to 11%;
- titratable acid - 0.36%;
- pectin substances - 12.7%;
- ascorbic acid - 9 mg for every 100 g;
- P-active substances - 170 mg for every 100 g.
Variety yield
Ripening of Orlik apples begins in the second half of September. If stored in a cool and dry place, the shelf life can be extended to early March.
Fruiting begins in the fourth or fifth year after planting. The harvest depends on the age of the tree:
- 7-9 years old - from 15 to 55 kg of apples;
- 10-14 years old - from 55 to 80 kg;
- 15-20 years old - from 80 to 120 kg.
Gardeners note the excellent dessert properties of the Orlik variety. Apples can be transported long distances. The fruits are used for the preparation of juices and baby food.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Orlik apple variety has gained wide popularity due to a number of advantages:
- rapid maturation;
- resistance to winter frost;
- high yield, which increases annually;
- dessert taste of fruits;
- good keeping quality of apples;
- compact trees that can be planted even in a small area;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- unpretentiousness.
Among the disadvantages of the variety, the following should be noted:
- when ripe, the fruits crumble;
- apples are small;
- fruiting may occur irregularly.
Selection of seedlings
You can buy Orlik apple seedlings in the garden center or nursery. You can order them in online stores, but there is a high probability of getting low-quality planting material.
When buying, you need to pay attention to several nuances:
- the root system must be strong and solid, without sagging and damage;
- lack of traces of mold and rot;
- seedling height - 1.5 m;
- the presence of a healthy root collar;
- number of branches - 5 or more;
- no damage to the bark.
Landing order
Planting work begins with the preparation of the pit. At this stage, fertilizers are required. The seedling is also prepared before planting, after which they begin to work.
Preparation of seedlings
Apple tree seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. Previously, the tree is left in a bucket of water for a day. After planting, the Orlik apple tree needs to be constantly watered.
When planted in the spring, the tree has time to take root, and the roots and branches become stronger. Work is carried out in late April or early May, when the ground is well warmed up.
Autumn planting is carried out in October, so that the root system has time to adapt to new conditions before frost. You need to plant an apple tree at least two weeks before the onset of cold snaps.
Choosing a landing site
For the apple tree, choose a well-lit place that is protected from the wind. Groundwater should be located at a depth of 2 m.
The apple tree prefers black soil. Planting is not carried out on rocky and wetland areas.
The Orlik variety has a small crown, so it can be planted with other trees. Leave 1.5 - 2 m between the apple trees.
Disembarkation procedure
To plant an apple tree, you need to follow a certain sequence of actions:
- A month before the work, a pit is prepared with a depth of 0.7 m and a diameter of 1 m.
- A peg is placed in the center of the hole.
- Humus, peat and compost are added to the soil, after which the pit is filled with the resulting mixture.
- The landing site is covered with foil.
- A month later, they start directly planting an apple tree. The seedling is placed in a hole and the roots are straightened. Root collar (the place where the green color of the bark changes to brown).
- The plant must be covered with soil and tamped.
- The apple tree is watered and tied to a peg.
Care rules
Proper care will allow the apple tree to develop and produce a good harvest. The Orlik variety requires standard care: watering, fertilizing and regular pruning.
Watering the apple tree
The apple tree must be watered regularly. For this, special channels are made between the rows with trees. Watering the tree can be done in a fan-like manner, when water flows evenly in small drops.
The volume of water depends on the age of the apple tree:
- 1 year - two buckets per square meter;
- 2 years - 4 buckets;
- 3 years - 5 years - 8 buckets;
- over 5 years old - up to 10 buckets.
In the spring, you need to water the apple tree before budding. Trees under 5 years old are watered every week. The second watering is done after flowering. In hot weather, apple trees are watered more often.
The last watering is performed 2 weeks before picking apples. If the autumn is dry, then additional moisture is added.
Fertilization
In the spring, the shoots need feeding in the form of rotted manure or minerals containing nitrogen (nitrophoska or ammonium nitrate).
During the fruiting period, when watering, add 150 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium chloride. From mid-August, they begin to prepare the apple tree for winter by feeding it with humus. Fertilizers are applied to a depth of 0.5 m.
Apple tree pruning
Pruning of the Orlik variety is carried out in order to eliminate dead and damaged branches. It is necessary to prune the tree in the spring for crown formation and in the fall to remove weak branches.
Spring pruning is done in March. In young trees, the top and side branches should be cut off by 0.8 m.
In autumn, work is performed after the foliage has fallen. It is best to wait for cold weather and snow. The thickened crown must be thinned out.
Be sure to make sure that the apple tree grows in one trunk.If there are branches, they must be eliminated. Otherwise, splitting will occur and the tree will die.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
The Orlik apple variety is very popular among gardeners. The plant is resistant to winter frosts and diseases, and its fruits are distinguished by good taste and long-term storage. To get a good harvest, the apple tree is regularly looked after: applying moisture and fertilizers, as well as pruning branches.
