Content
Apple trees are grown in the Russian Federation almost everywhere, even in the northern regions. The cold, humid climate requires that the varieties planted here have certain characteristics. The apple variety Severnaya Zorka is frost-resistant, suitable for growing in the north-western regions, unpretentious, can do with standard agricultural technology and care.
Breeding history
The breeding of the variety took place in the first half of the 20th century, an application for admission to the State Register was filed in 1944, and was included in 2001 and zoned for the North-West region. The originator of the apple tree "Severnaya Zorka" - Federal Agrarian Scientific Center of the North-East named after N.V. Rudnitsky. The parental forms for breeding a new variety were the varieties "Kitayka red" and "Kandil-kitaika". A related variety for "Severnaya Zorka" is "Melba".
Description of the North Dawn apple tree with photo
The tree can reach up to 4 m in height, the fruits are in the shape of a ball, the pulp is tasty, sweet, juicy. The main advantages of the species are winter hardiness and good immunity against fungi and scab.
The taste of apples is sweet, with a barely noticeable sourness.
Fruit and tree appearance
Apple tree of medium vigor, moderate height. The crown is round, dense. The fruits of the "Severnaya Zorka" are of classical shape: conical-rounded, slightly ribbed, with a light green skin. There is a blurry pink blush on one side of the fruit. The mass of apples is on average 80 g, but there are also larger ones. The variety belongs to the early ripening species, apple trees bear fruit early - from the fourth year of life. The fruits are formed on the ringlets.
Life span
With good care, apple trees live for at least 25 years, often more than 40. You can rejuvenate the plant by strong pruning, then it will live and begin to bear fruit longer.
Taste
The apple pulp of "Severnaya Zorka" is white, juicy, fine-grained, with an average density. The taste is harmonious, sweet and sour.
Growing regions
The variety was bred for the Northwest regions. These are the Vologda, Yaroslavl, Novgorod, Pskov, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Tver and Kostroma regions. These regions have a cold climate, so cold resistance is one of the main characteristics for fruit trees.
Yield
On average, about 80-90 kg of fruit can be harvested from one adult tree of the "Severnaya Zorka" variety. In terms of 1 sq. m. apple yield is 13 kg. Fruiting is stable, there is no periodicity.
Frost resistant
Winter hardiness at "Severnaya Zorka" is high, the tree can withstand severe frosts (up to -25 ˚С). This makes it possible to plant an apple tree of this variety in the northern regions, without fear that it will freeze out in winter. The tree tolerates frequent thaws, temperature drops during the day and at night, snowless winters, uneven precipitation, changing wind directions, i.e. all weather "whims" typical for the North-West of the Russian Federation.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety has good disease resistance, including scab. Pests also rarely infest trees of this variety.
Flowering period and ripening period
Apple trees of this variety bloom in May. "Severnaya Zorka" refers to mid-season varieties. The collection of fruits takes place from the beginning of September.
Pollinators
Next to the trees of the "Severnaya Zorka" variety, you need to plant seedlings of other types, for example, "Antonovka ordinary", "Pepin saffron", "Pepin Orlovsky", "Mekintosh", "Taezhny", "Cinnamon striped", "Saffron-Chinese", "Moscow Late".
Transportation and keeping quality
The apples of the "Severnaya Zorka" variety have a dense skin, they are resistant to mechanical damage during transportation, and do not deform. The harvested fruits are stored for 1-1.5 months. Not suitable for longer storage.
Ripe apples "Severnaya Zorka" can be stored for a short time
Advantages and disadvantages
The Zorka apple variety is valued by gardeners for its frost resistance and disease resistance. The plant is not too tall, so it is easy to care for it. The fruits have an attractive appearance, dense skin and juicy pulp, sweet-sour taste, uniform in size. Because of this, they can be grown for sale, especially since they withstand transportation and are well stored.
The disadvantage of North Dawn apple trees is the thickening of the crown, which is why the trees need obligatory thinning pruning. Unkempt trees quickly reduce yields.
Landing rules
The seedling of this apple tree must be 1 or 2 years old, have 2 or 3 skeletal branches. If a tree with open roots, before planting, you need to cut off the dried ends, lower the root system in a growth stimulator solution for 1 day.
Planting can be carried out in spring and autumn, but preferably at the end of the year. The place where the North Dawn apple tree will grow must be open and sunny, partial shade is permissible. The site should not be blown by winds. The culture grows best on fertile loams and sandy loams, other soils need to be changed - clay soil should be added to sands, coarse sand or peat - to clay, lime - to peat.
The planting pit for the North Dawn apple tree should not be less than 50 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth. If the volume of the root system is larger, a larger pit must be prepared. If you need to plant several trees, they are placed at a distance of 2.5-3 m.
Planting sequence:
- Place drainage at the bottom of the planting pit.
- Place a seedling in the center, spread its roots.
- Fill the voids with a mixture of excavated earth and humus, taken in equal volumes (add 2 kg of ash to the soil mixture).
- Water the seedling when the water settles, compact the soil around it and lay a layer of mulch.
In order for the apple tree to grow even, you need to put a support near it, to which you need to tie its trunk.
Growing and care
Agricultural technology of the variety includes standard techniques for caring for apple trees. This is watering, feeding, pruning and treatment from diseases and pests.
Until the seedling takes root, which is 1-1.5 months, it needs to be watered often, about 1 time per week, pouring 1 bucket of water under the plant. After that, the apple tree should be watered only in the heat, if it rains, irrigation is not required.
Both young and adult apple trees "Severnaya Zorka" need feeding. The first time after planting fertilizers are necessary for the tree in the third year of life. Before that, he has enough nutrients that were introduced earlier. Then fertilizers are applied every year - in April and after flowering, when the ovary begins to grow.
At the end of the season, after harvesting, the apple tree needs to be fertilized again - to add organic matter to the trunk circle. If the autumn is dry, it is necessary to carry out water-charging irrigation; in wet weather, it is not necessary to water.
In the first winter, young apple trees especially need shelter.
Can be carried out in the first spring after planting: shorten the central conductor and side shoots that have grown over the summer. Then every year you need to remove the damaged branches that have frozen over the winter.
Do not forget about preventive treatments for fungal diseases and pests. Spraying from the fungus should be carried out in the spring at a temperature of 5 ° C before bud break, from harmful insects - after flowering. You need to use fungicides and insecticides.
For the winter, young trees need to be covered: lay a mulching layer on the trunks. The trunk and branches of newly planted seedlings can be covered with agrofibre to prevent frost damage.
Collection and storage
Apples ripen in September. At this time, they need to be plucked from the branches, without waiting for them to fall by themselves. It can be stored in the refrigerator and cellars at temperatures up to 10 ˚С and humidity up to 70%. Fruits can be packed in small boxes or baskets. Apples of "Severnaya Zorka" are used mainly for fresh consumption, but you can make juice from them, make jam, jams and other sweet preparations.
Conclusion
The apple variety Severnaya Zorka is recommended for cultivation in the regions of the North-West region. Its main advantages are frost resistance, disease resistance, uniform size and presentation of fruits, as well as their excellent taste.
