Champion is a high-yielding apple variety of Czech selection

Description of the tree and fruit

A weak tree has a crown of medium density and oval shape. Resistance to medium-level powdery mildew, and quite high against scab. Consumers like the most colorful apples, and to get that result, you need to keep an eye on the garden. The price of apples is quite high, and the variety itself is high-yielding. Description of fruits and trees, customer reviews make it possible to draw up a complete picture of what the fruits will be in your garden.

The apple tree blooms very profusely, and bears fruits of medium size, almost uniform, round-oval and greenish-yellow in color. Most of the fruit has an orange-red blurred blush. The dense and elastic skin is quite thin. Light creamy pulp, medium density, but has a very good aroma and a high level of juiciness. The sweet and sour taste of apples cannot be compared to other varieties. The fruits ripen in September, in its second half.
The peculiar taste of apples has gained popularity with most consumers. First, seedlings are planted, and after a while the trees begin to bear fruit, giving a bountiful harvest every year. Well-colored, tasty and healthy fruits can be grown if the number of ovaries and flowers is normalized. Spraying the leaves can be used to avoid color problems that may occur in some years.

The size of the tree is small, and the best location for it is considered to be a place where the sun's rays constantly fall. The main apple color is yellow, with a dense red blush. The blush is most pronounced on the sunny side. Apples range in size from medium to large. Their shape is correct, aligned, round or oval.

Growing specifics

To grow a good harvest, the tree must be properly looked after. After planting the seedlings, the trees grow quite quickly, and after the period of fruit growth begins, the growth slows down significantly. Even with abundant fruiting, tree growth is weakened and the growth rate must be stimulated. The description of preventive procedures is as follows - pruning is used for such stimulation. The Champion variety requires a reduction in crown volume, which can ensure good quality apples. Fruits can be harvested from young shoots, but they require at least minimal strength. For harvesting, branches should prevail on the crown, no older than three years. All shoots one year old that do not have a generative bud must be removed during the pruning process.

Such shoots must be removed as they complete the flower bud and grow very poorly. The growth in one year from such shoots is up to 20 centimeters. You cannot get a high-quality harvest from them. Below is a photo of the fetus.

Good reviews about the crop are left only in the case of proper care for it, as well as the care of the garden and trees. The most fruitful seedlings with annual shoots are considered to be those that end with a bud, and their length is 25-30 centimeters.Even if all the shoots meet the established requirements, they should not be left, and only those that are the most fruitful are left, do not overload the crown and do not cause depression in the tree.

During pruning, shoots are systematically left in the crown, unnecessary ones are removed, such shoots are those that are too old or too thick. Also useless can be called such branches that grow at an acute angle.

The knots should be left as young shoots will grow from them. The tree is pruned so as to provide an optimal supply of light to the crown. Access to light makes the fruits well colored, even those that grow in the lower part of the crown. When pruning, embossing is used, the same as when forming other varieties. The winter cultivar Champion requires a complete package of growth and grooming techniques that are used when pruning and gardening.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the variety are very good taste, attractive appearance, quick fruiting and high yield.

You can verify the color qualities of apples with a photo. Commercial cultivation is characterized by the fact that apples must be sold almost immediately, and refrigerated chambers are used for storage. High early maturity greatly increases the likelihood of harvesting already in the third year after planting young trees.

The fruits grow steadily, allowing you to enjoy large harvests. A five or six-year-old apple tree, sprouted from seedlings, yields from 17 to 25 kg annually, which is quite a lot, given the small size of the tree. The main negative characteristic of the tree is its weak resistance to winter.

In cold climates, trees, and especially seedlings, require additional protection. Thus, they must be wrapped for the winter, the average resistance to powdery mildew still allows you to protect the crop from such a negative influence of pathogenic bacteria. To protect the tree from disease, pruning must be carried out.

Disadvantages, despite the resistance of the apple tree to pests, and especially such as the apple moth, are still associated with diseases. The defeat of bitter pitting or fire blight can significantly reduce the amount of fruitful harvest, reduce the number of healthy fruits that have good taste.

Video "How to grow an apple tree"

In the video, an experienced gardener gives advice on growing and caring for an apple tree.