Description of apple variety Gift for gardeners

Appearance

The apple tree has an average height (up to 3 meters) and a rather compact, rounded crown of medium density. During the period of active fruiting, the tree is completely hung with not very large, but numerous fruits, which are attached literally to all parts of the branches. This external description is typical for an adult apple tree aged 5–10 years.

The color of the trunk and main branches is brown with a reddish tint. Young shoots are slightly pubescent and have a lighter color. The leaf plates of the apple tree are large, oval at the petiole, pointed towards the apex. The color of the leaves is intensely green above and grayish with small villi below. Petioles are of medium length with a pair of lanceolate stipules.

Fruits are small (60-100 g), round, slightly flattened. The peel of apples is smooth, thin, with a slight bloom, in full ripeness it has a yellow-greenish color with smoothly passing strokes of bright blush. The peduncles are thin, short or of medium length. Apple pulp is slightly greenish, fine-grained in consistency, very juicy, has a sweet taste (sugar content 13.3%), with a pronounced apple aroma.

Breeding history

The variety "Gift for gardeners" was bred many decades ago, in 1959, by a group of breeders of the Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M.A. Lisavenko. To obtain a hybrid, two well-known varieties “Melba” and “Laletino” were used. Both hybrids have high rates of resistance to cold and disease, thanks to which it was possible to obtain a very stable, unpretentious and productive variety, which is really a real gift for gardeners.

Spreading

In 1998, the variety was successfully zoned in the West Siberian region of the country, since it was originally developed specifically for the territories of Siberia. Apples soon became very popular and spread widely to many regions with harsh climates.

Today, the variety is widely grown in the gardens of the Altai Territory and adjacent territories, however, subject to planting conditions, it takes root well in all regions and on any soil. Difficulties with cultivation can arise only in the southern regions, since the apple tree does not tolerate drought well.

Yield

The apple tree described above is a self-fertile variety that is capable of self-pollination, and does not need to be adjacent to other apple trees. This means that, despite the weather, climatic and other conditions, such apple trees give consistently high yields every year.

During the period of active fruiting, the apple tree begins at 3-4 years of age, but during this period it is too early to count on a full harvest, since the tree is still growing. Stable fruiting is achieved by about 6–8 years, and from that time on, the apple yield has remained approximately the same every year - 30 kg per tree.

Planting and leaving

As already mentioned, the apple tree of the “Gift for gardeners” variety is unpretentious, but its planting and further care have some peculiarities. First you need to know the timing of the planting of young seedlings.

In accordance with the physiological processes of the plant, planting is best done in the fall, between September 15-25.

When planting, you need to pay attention to such points as the choice of location and, in fact, the choice of the seedling itself.

When choosing a seedling, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• purchase it about a week before disembarkation, but not earlier;

• it is advisable to acquire a tree in an area with the same climate as in the region in which it will be planted;

• for planting, you should choose a young seedling (no more than a year old), then it will sooner adapt and take root.

It is better to choose a place for growing an apple tree that is calm, not shaded, accessible to sunlight for more than half a day. The location of trees in the lowlands, where groundwater is close to the surface, as well as on slopes, would not be the best option.

The apple tree grows best in fertile loamy soil with good drainage properties. If the soil in your garden is far from these characteristics, then it is necessary to improve its properties: apply fertilizers, add drainage material.

The landing itself takes place in the following sequence:

• a landing pit is dug with a depth of 70–80 cm and a width of 1 m;

• fertilizers are placed on the bottom of the pit: humus, preferably horse (1 bucket), ash (1 glass), superphosphate (1 spoon);

• if the soil is heavy, then sand, peat or any other drainage material is added first;

• all components are mixed with the soil;

• the seedling is placed vertically in the hole, the roots are straightened;

• then the tree is covered with dry earth, when the hole is filled to half, the earth is compacted, after which the hole is filled up to the top;

• a shallow groove is made around the trunk for irrigation - water the seedling immediately after planting with 1-2 buckets of water.

Apple tree care is simple and does not take much time. For the entire year following planting, it is necessary to remove weeds on time, loosen the near-stem circles, and water as needed. In the fall, you can begin to form the crown, cutting off the ends of all branches and new shoots. In the spring, it is necessary to remove the flowers that have appeared - it is very important to prevent fruiting in the first three years, as this can lead to a halt in the development of the tree.

An adult apple tree is less demanding to care for. All she needs is:

• winter protection against rodents (the trunk must be wrapped with any covering material);

• regular pruning of dead branches;

• formation of the crown and subsequent healing of the sections;

• mulching of near-stem circles for the winter with humus or compost.

Also, the list of caring activities includes two spring treatments for pests. The first is carried out in early spring during the formation of buds, and the second a little later - before the blooming of the buds.

Disease and pest control

This apple variety is quite resistant to many diseases, but sometimes it is affected by fungi:

• scab (black-brown spots on leaves and fruits);
• powdery mildew (white, mildew-like plaque on the leaves);
• bacterial burn (darkening and drying of leaves, sometimes bark);
• tinder fungus (growths on the bark of a tree).

Fighting tinder fungus involves complete mechanical removal (cutting) of the fungus, disinfection of the cut site, and subsequent wound healing. The cut site is disinfected with a solution of copper sulfate, after which it is painted over with oil paint. If this is not done, then soon the mushroom will grow again.

The apple tree is affected by scab or powdery mildew when the air and soil are humid. This often happens after prolonged rains, and if measures are not taken in time, the disease can spread to the entire tree. The best remedy for these diseases is preventive measures:

• timely formation of the crown;
• the introduction of ash, potash fertilizers into the soil;
• spraying with medicinal solutions (Bordeaux liquid, copper oxychloride).

Very often this variety is attacked by pests: various insects, caterpillars. The fight against them consists in spraying with insecticides, however, experienced gardeners recommend a universal and proven remedy for this - a solution of urea at the rate of 6-8 liters per tree.

Video "About apple varieties for Siberia"

This video is dedicated to the most winter-hardy apple varieties (“Zhebrovskoye”, “Doctor Kunovsky”, “Gift to gardeners”, etc.), which are recommended for cultivation in Siberia.