Apple-tree Champion is considered a true leader in terms of harvest. Tree branches break not so much on the number of fruits, but on their size, because this variety belongs to one of the largest. Often this tree can be found in amateur gardens, but the Champion apple tree, the description of which you will definitely find in this article, has received the most distribution in commercial gardening. Apples of this variety are supplied to almost all European countries by Poland, but the plant was bred in the Czech Republic in the early 70s of the 20th century. For more than 4 decades, the popularity of apples of this variety has not decreased at all. What features does the Champion apple tree have?
Grade Features
The variety is very unstable to a strong decrease in temperatures in the winter, therefore those gardeners who were engaged in growing the Champion in the Moscow Region advise to wrap the trunk and crown of the tree well for the winter. This fact means that Champion apple tree, which has positive feedback on high yields, belongs to varieties with winter hardiness below the average, which need additional care in the winter.
However, not everything is so bad, because the apple tree of this variety is practically not affected by the scab, from which almost all domestic apple varieties suffer. Another indisputable advantage of the Champion variety is its good growth and fruiting, even on heavy lands, unsuitable for growing apple trees of other varieties.
Description of Champion apple tree
Champion apple-tree species is referred to by the specialists as a dwarf species. The crown is very compact, the branches in it are evenly distributed, without accumulations in one section of the trunk. The shape of the crown is ovoid or oval. Skeletal branches depart from the trunk mainly at an acute angle (50-70 degrees), the branches on them are not strong, which greatly facilitates the care of the crown.
The apple-tree Champion differs from many varieties in that it is able to form ovaries and fruits not only on the sprigs and fruit twigs, but also on the so-called spears. Despite the small size of the tree, the yield of the apple tree is quite high and amounts to about 25 kg per plant. If we consider that the Champion comes into bearing 3-4 years after planting, we can call this variety a fast-growing and very high-yielding, and therefore profitable for commercial cultivation.
Apple Blossom Champion
If several Champion trees are planted in the garden, then the gardener can observe an incredibly beautiful picture every spring: as if by magic, every single tree comes into bloom. The number of flowers on each tree is very large, but only 30% of the fruits are tied. Champion Apple Tree (description above) has partially self-pollinated flowers. For better fruit setting, it is necessary to place plants of other varieties in the immediate vicinity with it: Spartan, Teremok or Pilot.
Flowering of this variety begins in mid spring. The flowers are collected in large corymbose inflorescences. Petals during the period of the bud and after its full opening are white, sometimes with a slight pinkish tinge, the edge is even. Blossoming comes very amicably, also amicably and comes to an end.
Appearance of Champion fruits
Champion apple tree is capable of tying a sufficient number of fruits, which under favorable conditions reach a weight of 250 g. The shape of the apples is round-oval, regular. The peel of the fruit, despite its high density, is very thin and elastic. The peel on the fruits during the period of removal from the tree (late September - early October), which occurs 1-2 weeks before maturity, has a yellow-green color with a faint pink blush. During the onset of full ripeness, the blush is more pronounced, as it acquires red-orange hues. Champion apples flesh is creamy, light, juicy and sweet. When they are cut, a characteristic apple aroma is felt. When stored in a cool place, refrigerator or cellar, the Champion’s fruits do not lose their taste for 5 months.
Apple Tree Champion: Features of planting and care
Since, according to gardeners and breeders, the apple tree of this variety has a low winter hardiness, you need to choose a place for planting it very carefully. Firstly, the site should be protected from the northern cold winds. Secondly, despite the undemanding nature of the soil, it is advisable to avoid wetlands with stagnation of groundwater. Champion Apple-tree, which was planted in the spring period according to the 4 x 1.5 m pattern, is the most resistant to adverse factors in the winter period. When purchasing a seedling in the fall, it is better to try to keep it in a dug form until spring.
The main means of tree care at the initial stage of growth and crown formation is the trimming of thickening branches and shortening of shoots. The growth of a tree of this variety is not too fast, so do not “cut” too much.
As a preventive measure against the development of bitter dimple and bacterial burn, experts recommend that during the growth period of the tree (summer-spring), several times (up to 8 per season) treatment of the crown with a solution of fertilizers containing calcium.