Auxis - a whimsical apple tree with delicious fruits

Description and characteristics

The Auxis apple variety is considered to be autumn-winter, as the fruit ripens and the harvest takes place in mid-September, and the consumer season begins only in December. This variety was bred at the Lithuanian Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Economy by crossing the Macintosh variety with the equally famous Grafenstein red variety. Apple trees are perfectly adapted to low temperatures and feel comfortable in the northwestern as well as northern regions.

The apple tree of this variety is of medium height (4–6 m), the crown is compact, round, medium thickened. The tree begins to bloom in the second half of May. The buds are pinkish in color, as they bloom, they become white with a slight pinkish tinge. The variety is characterized by a mixed type of fruiting (fruits are formed on all branches). These apple trees are not self-fertile - for cross-pollination they need other varieties with the same flowering period as theirs.

The Auxis variety is well adapted to low temperatures, tolerates severe frosts and long winters without any problems. Another advantage of the apple tree is its high resistance to fungal diseases, in particular to scab. The early fruiting of the apple tree, as well as the yield, depends on the growing conditions: in a comfortable climate, the apple tree begins to bear fruit in the 4th year of life; in harsh conditions, fruiting begins at the age of 5–6.

The variety is considered a high-yielding variety, but it is characterized by irregular fruiting. No, the tree does not need a year's respite, like many apple trees, just the amount of harvest from year to year may differ - if one year was very productive, then the next year there will be much less fruit. Also, the yield largely depends on the growing conditions and care (top dressing, pruning of branches). It is very good if an apple tree of another variety grows next to the tree, which can pollinate it.

The description of the fruits, perhaps, should begin with the fact that they are very beautiful and bright. In removable maturity, apples are slightly greenish with a slight blurred blush, but by the time of full ripening (after 1.5–2 months) their main color becomes light yellow, and an intense bright crimson blush spreads over the entire surface.

Apples of this variety are of medium size (100–180 g), have a regular rounded shape, slightly flattened in height, without ribbing. The peel is smooth, dense, rusty at the stalk, covered with a waxy bloom. Large subcutaneous dots are visible under the skin. Apples retain their presentation for a long time, are perfectly transported, but quickly crumble from the apple tree, so you should harvest on time.

Taste qualities of fruits

Not only gardeners, but also ordinary people have heard about the unique taste of Auxis apples. These fruits have a delicious dense, but very juicy cream-colored pulp with a pleasant fine grain.At the beginning of the tasting, a sweet dessert taste is felt, which is gradually saturated with sour notes, and in the aftertaste it ends with a slight sourness. This unusual consistency of flavors is the real highlight of the variety, for which consumers love it so much. Ripe apples exude an amazing apple aroma, which, in combination with a pleasant dessert taste, has earned a fairly high tasting rating - 4.5 points.

Care features

An apple tree of this variety does not need any special care, but the main activities, including regular feeding and pruning, are necessary for good fruiting. In extreme heat, the tree needs to be watered, since it does not accept drying out of the soil. As for feeding the seedling, fertilization should not be applied in the first year. This year, all care consists in loosening the soil around the trunk, removing weeds and watering abundantly.

A young apple tree is watered at the rate of 1 bucket of water / 1 year of the tree's life. You need to water not under the trunk, but along the perimeter of the crown. In the first year, the tree is often watered as the soil dries up. In the future, three times of watering will be enough for the entire growing season: the first time in early summer (provided that the soil is dry), the second - during the ripening of apples, and the third - in late autumn.

The variety is quite picky about dressing, the yield of the crop depends to some extent on this. It is advisable to apply fertilizers according to the following scheme: in the fall (they are embedded in the ground during digging), superphosphate, potassium, compost are used, and in the spring - nitrogen. Divide the nitrogen mixture in half: apply 2/3 in early spring, before bud break, the remainder at the end of flowering.

In the first 3 years, while the apple tree is small, fertilizers are embedded to a depth of 15–20 cm, in subsequent years - to a depth of 40–45 cm along the crown perimeter no closer than 1 m around the trunk.

The most crucial stage in the care is the formation of the crown. Since the variety is prone to irregular fruiting, pruning to rejuvenate the branches can increase the number of ovaries. Spring pruning in late March - early April limits the growth of old branches, which leads to an increase in the number of flower buds. This procedure reduces the frequency of fruiting and improves the quality of the fruit.

In addition, correct pruning allows you to protect the apple tree from many diseases and pest infestations. "Correct" pruning means the complete elimination of all diseased and damaged branches, as well as those that create darkening and interfere with the normal ripening of the fruit. Edge trimming is used for branches that are no more than 3 years old; older branches are recommended to be removed completely. Rejuvenating pruning can be carried out not only in the spring, but also in the fall after the foliage has fallen.

In autumn, it is recommended to process the trunks with lime (whitewash) - this measure will protect the tree from overwintering insects and rodents.

As already mentioned, the variety is highly frost-resistant, but when grown in cold climates, it is recommended to mulch the tree for the winter.

As mulch, you can use dry foliage, coniferous needles, and also spread compost or humus on the surface of the trunks. Organics perfectly give off heat, which will help the apple tree survive severe frosts.

Video "Apple-tree variety Auxis"

The video will tell you about the peculiarities of the Auxis apples and demonstrate how the fruiting of this apple tree takes place.