Among the fruits that ripen in early autumn, the Melba apple variety occupies one of the leading places. Its popularity is due to its high yield and excellent taste. This species reaches removable maturity in August-September. "Melba" - a variety of apples that, under favorable conditions, last 3-4 months. At the same time, its fruits do not lose their commercial qualities. The Melba apple variety was bred by Canadian breeders in 1898. Work on the creation of this species was carried out by employees of the experimental station in Ottawa. It was created by sowing seeds of the variety "Mac" obtained from its free pollination. Over the many decades of its existence, the Melba apple tree has spread throughout the world. This variety is also popular in Russia, where it is included in the State Register of almost all regions of the country.
Description
This apple tree is a mid-layer. It has a rounded crown. The branches are brownish-orange in bark. The apple tree has a mixed type of fruiting, although the bulk of the crop is formed on sprigs. In adulthood, the tree bears fruit periodically. Young, slightly drooping shoots have medium pubescence. Annual seedlings are thick, almost straight. They have a light cherry shiny bark. A characteristic feature of the Melba variety is light green leaves with a yellowish tinge.
With good agricultural technology, timely watering and annual mineral-organic fertilizing, young trees begin to bear fruit already in the 4th-5th year after the planting of 1-2-year-old seedlings. The apple trees that have entered the time of active growth give a consistently high yield annually. Mature trees can bear fruit periodically. To stimulate good yields, anti-aging pruning of the crown is often used. The main disadvantages of this apple tree are its susceptibility to scab disease, insufficient winter hardiness for the northern latitudes and periodic fruiting in adulthood.
The tree blooms in large white-pinkish flowers that have a light purple hue. Petals are rounded, closed. The Melba apple variety is distinguished by very beautiful and rather large, round, conical fruits. They have a slightly flattened shape and have a low ribbing. They have a light green basic color, and bright striped blush adorns them. It often occupies more than half the surface. The flesh of apples is snow-white, very tender and juicy. The fruits have an amazing sweet and sour taste and a very strong candy aroma. The peel of the apple is tender, smooth, covered with a thin layer of wax.
Commodity properties
The fruits contain: various sugars (10.5%), ascorbic acid (13.4 mg / 100g) and other acids (0.78%), pectin (10.1%), P-active substances (297 mg / 100g). These apples are very fresh. Despite the rather good keeping quality of the fruit, the Melba variety is often used for making juices, marmalades, mashed potatoes and compotes. It normally tolerates transportation. The Melba apple variety (photo of a tree and fruit is presented on this page) produces fruits that are some of the most delicious among similar ones.