The apple-tree Veteran is very popular among gardeners living in the Central Black Earth region due to its high productivity, resistance to climatic conditions and diseases.
Description
This medium-sized tree with a spherical crown belongs to the winter varieties of apple trees. The branches are quite thick, covered, like the trunk, with brownish bark. Short-pointed elongated leaves have an ovoid shape and a wrinkled, dull surface. The edges of each are slightly wrapped up. Stipules are almost undeveloped. The flowers are medium-sized, with light pink oblong petals and stigmas, which are much lower than the anthers in height.
High early maturity and productivity are typical for such a variety as the Veteran apple tree.
She begins to bear fruit already in her fifth year. A tree that is 8–9 years old produces a yield of up to 60 kg, and at an older age it can produce 80 kg of apples.
Fruits having a conical shape in the upper part are not very large, covered with glossy skin with a whitish bloom. Their color is mostly yellow, with orange-pink specks and stripes. The peduncle is of medium length with a thickening at the end. The yellow juicy pulp of apples has a very pleasant, slightly sour taste.
Growing conditions
Despite the fact that the Veteran apple tree belongs to frost-resistant varieties, it is not recommended to plant trees where stagnation of cold air is possible. It is best to choose a place open, well-lit by the sun, where moisture accumulation after heavy rains is excluded. Close groundwater can adversely affect plant development and productivity. Soils are preferably loamy or sandy loam.
Care
By the winter, the trunk and lower branches of the apple tree should be protected from damage caused by small rodents. The plant is rescued from insect pests by spraying it with special preparations.
The first 3 years after planting a tree requires the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers. In order to increase fruit set, micronutrient fertilizers are introduced, where boron is contained. Such top dressing is performed once before flowering or during it.
Veteran apple tree needs periodic anti-aging and shaping pruning. In this case, vertical shoots are removed, and long side shoots are shortened. The lower branches are left, allowing them to fill the entire space allotted to the tree. Therefore, the lower tier is always longer than the middle and upper.
The trunk of the apple tree must be protected by winter so that it is not damaged by small rodents. Against insect pests, spraying with special drugs is used.
In summer, it is necessary to maintain a certain soil moisture, producing timely watering. During the day, under the bright rays of the sun, you can not water the plants in order to prevent burns. This procedure is best performed in the evening, using the sprinkling method. Such watering contributes to a better development of the crown and cleans the trunk of pests. Veteran apple tree requires only one watering of at least 20 liters of water.
The description of the process of loosening the soil around the tree is worth exploring separately. If there is a large amount of rainfall during the season, it is necessary to provide air access to the roots. To do this, punctures are very carefully made in the soil with a crowbar with a depth of up to 40 cm at the level of the side branches. You can do this with a pitchfork, if you do not turn them to the sides.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Fruits of a variety such as the Veteran apple tree are distinguished by a high degree of preservation. Photos of apples taken during the harvest and in the winter are practically the same. They retain not only an attractive appearance until spring, but also remain the same in taste. Fast ripening and high yield are another advantage of these apple trees.
The disadvantages include low scab resistance, as well as premature leaf fall in the dry period.