Content
The Firebird apple variety is especially popular with gardeners in the West Siberian region of the country. This is due to stable yields in difficult climatic conditions, increased resistance to diseases and unpretentious care. This species belongs to the category of semi-crops, that is, it combines the qualities of the wild Siberian apple tree and cultivated species. This feature explains the increased viability of the variety and stable fruiting in adverse conditions.
The firebird is a summer type of culture
Breeding history
Work on raising the Firebird apple tree was carried out by employees of the Siberian Institute of Horticulture. M.A. Lisavenko. This type of culture was obtained in 1963 on the basis of varieties such as Autumn Joy of Altai and Gornoaltaiskoe.
The main characteristics of the Firebird have been thoroughly studied for 14 years at the Barnaulskaya production farm. The results obtained became the basis for registering the official standard for this apple tree species. And only in 1998, the Firebird was included in the State Register.
Characteristics of the apple tree Firebird
This variety has strengths and weaknesses, so when choosing it, you need to study them. This will allow every gardener to understand how valuable this species is, and what difficulties may be encountered when growing it.
Fruit and tree appearance
The firebird forms a medium-sized compact tree, the branches of which are fixed at an acute angle. Its height is 3 m, which it reaches at the age of 7 years, and its diameter does not exceed 2.5 m. The crown of this apple tree is semicircular, not prone to thickening.
The branches are quite thick, but they are rarely located on the trunk. The Firebird apple tree bears fruit on ringlets of a simple and complex type. The color of the bark of the trunk and main branches is gray-brown. The shoots are of medium thickness, there is an edge on the surface.
Leaves are rounded, wrinkled, green, shiny. Plates shortly pointed, curved downward, with pubescence on the reverse side. There is waviness along the edge. The petioles of this variety are of medium length. Stipules are small, lanceolate.
The fruits of the variety are one-dimensional, small. There is a large smooth ribbing on the surface. The average weight of apples is 35-50 g. The main color is yellow. Integumentary bright red, blurred over the entire surface. The skin is smooth with a rich bluish bloom. The peduncle is of medium length, pubescent. The pulp is juicy, has a fine-grained consistency, medium density, creamy shade. Apples of the Firebird variety have a large number of subcutaneous dots of green color, which are clearly visible.
Life span
The productive age of the Firebird apple tree is 15 years. The lifespan directly depends on the care. Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, this indicator can be extended for 5 years, and if ignored, it can be shortened for the same period.
Taste
The taste of apples of the Firebird variety is sweet and sour, pleasant. The fruits contain a large amount of P-active components, vitamin C. Also, tannins and fruit sugars are present in apples. But the concentration of pectin, titratable acids is quite insignificant.
Fruits of this variety at an early stage of development are formed only on the lower branches.
Apple tree The firebird of universal use, so the fruits can be eaten fresh, used for processing. When exposed to heat, the pulp retains its structure. The variety is best suited for jam, juice.
Growing regions
Apple tree Firebird is recommended for cultivation in the Altai Territory. And also in such areas of the West Siberian region:
- Kemerovo;
- Tomsk;
- Novosibirsk;
- Omsk;
- Tyumen.
In addition, the variety can also be grown in the middle lane. The Firebird apple tree shows good productivity in the conditions of short summers, sudden temperature changes and cool springs, therefore, it is not suitable for cultivation in the southern regions.
Yield
Fruiting of the Firebird apple tree occurs annually with enviable stability. The yield of a tree up to 10 years old is about 20.1 kg, and with each subsequent year this figure increases and reaches 45 kg by the age of 15.
Frost resistant
Apple tree Firebird has an average level of frost resistance. But when the temperature drops to -40 degrees, the crust freezes slightly. These signs become visible. In this case, the tree does not die, but the restoration process takes 1 year.
Disease and pest resistance
Due to the fact that the Firebird apple tree is obtained on the basis of the wild Siberian, it exhibits high resistance to diseases and pests. But, in order to exclude the likelihood of damage if the growing conditions do not match, it is necessary to carry out preventive tree treatments.
Flowering period and ripening period
This variety begins to bear fruit fully 5 years after planting. In terms of fruit ripening, the Firebird is a summer species. The tree blooms annually in late spring and early summer, when the temperature is confidently kept at around +15 degrees. The duration of the period is 6-10 days.
The removable maturity of the Firebird begins in the 20th of August, so the harvest can be carried out within the next 2 weeks.
Pollinators
This apple variety is self-fertile. Therefore, when landing, you need to take this into account. For a stable fruit set, he needs the following pollinating varieties:
- Gift for gardeners;
- Altai ruddy;
- Cherished.
Transportation and keeping quality
Since the Firebird is a summer variety, apples are not suitable for long-term storage. The maximum shelf life of fruits is 1 month at a temperature not higher than +15 degrees. In the future, the pulp becomes dry and friable, and also loses its taste.
The harvest of this variety can be transported only at the stage of technical maturity, so as not to spoil the presentation of the apples.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Apple Firebird has clear advantages and disadvantages compared to other varieties of culture. Therefore, when choosing this variety, you need to pay attention to them.
Some gardeners point out that the Firebird is good for making wine.
Main advantages:
- good taste of fruits;
- high resistance to scab, pests;
- simultaneous giving of apples;
- stable yield;
- attractive fruit appearance;
- resistance to adverse climatic conditions.
Disadvantages:
- average frost resistance, as for semi-crops;
- short storage period for apples;
- small fruit size;
- rapid overripening on the tree.
Landing
In order for the Firebird apple tree to fully develop in the future, it is necessary to properly plant. This should be done in the spring, after the temperature rises above + 5- + 7 degrees and the soil thaws. The tree should be placed on the southern or eastern side of the site, protected from drafts. In this case, the groundwater level must be at least 2.0 m.
In the spring, 2 weeks before planting, you need to dig a hole 80 cm deep and 60 cm wide.Fill it with a mixture of turf, humus and peat, taking the components in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. And also additionally add 200 g of wood ash, 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulphide, mix thoroughly.
Landing Algorithm:
- Make a hill in the center of the landing pit.
- Spread the roots of the seedling, cut off damaged areas if necessary.
- Put it on a dais, place a support next to it at a distance of 20-30 cm from the root.
- Sprinkle with earth so that the root collar is 2-3 cm above the soil level.
- Compact the soil from above at the base of the seedling.
- Water abundantly.
- Tie the seedling to the support with twine.
Growing and care
To grow an apple tree, you need to provide the tree with comprehensive care. It includes regular watering as needed throughout the first year after planting. This should be done 2 times a week. Then it is necessary to loosen the soil in the root circle in order to improve air access to the roots.
Also, in a particularly hot period, mulch from humus or cut grass should be used. Such a measure will prevent overheating of the roots and retain moisture in the soil.
In the future, every spring it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of the tree. To do this, dissolve 700 g of urea, 50 g of copper sulfate.
Timely spraying of the crown helps to avoid many problems.
Top dressing of seedlings should be started from the age of three. To do this, in the spring, add 35 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium sulfate, 35 g of ammonium nitrate to the root circle, with further embedding in the top soil layer. With abundant fruiting, organic matter must be used. With the arrival of spring, it is necessary to prune broken and damaged shoots annually.
Collection and storage
It is necessary to harvest the Firebird during the technical maturity of apples, since when fully ripe they begin to fall off. It is necessary to put the fruits in wooden boxes, shifting them with straw. For long-term storage, the temperature should be +15 degrees.
Conclusion
The Firebird apple variety is ideal for regions with harsh climatic conditions, as it easily tolerates temperature changes and at the same time shows stable fruiting. At the same time, the culture does not require specific care, so any novice gardener can grow this tree on the site.
