An apple tree that pleases with its fruits in a harsh winter - is this not the dream of any gardener? Do such varieties actually exist and what are they called? Of course, there are such varieties of apple trees. Their owners like them not only for their ability to give fruits even in winter, but also for their excellent resistance to many diseases. One of these varieties is the Gloucester apple tree, a description of which you will learn from this article.
Grade description
The plant was obtained in Germany by crossing the varieties "Richard Delicious" and "Glockenapfel". The apple tree of this variety is reckoned with strong-growing late winter varieties. The owner of a high rounded crown, the Gloucester apple tree tolerates frosts up to -20 degrees, and also has good resistance to powdery mildew. Fruiting a tree of this variety, grafted on a medium-sized rootstock, begins on the 4th year after planting, the yield on the 10th year reaches 75 kg from one tree. On dwarf rootstocks, the formation of full-fledged fruits occurs somewhat earlier - in the 3rd year, while up to 5 kg of large apples can be collected from one tree.
The fruits of the apple tree "Gloucester" forms large, their weight can reach 200 g. In shape, the fruits are round-conical, bright red with small yellow specks. The pulp of apples of this variety is dense, crisp, moderately juicy, sweet and sour taste. They begin to sing apples by the beginning of October, and they reach consumer maturity after the new year. Fruits are stored up to 4 months, easy to tolerate transportation.
A feature of the variety is that the tree forms one fruit in inflorescence, so there is no need to remove the extra ovaries that overload the plant. Thanks to this, the Gloucester apple tree, the photo of which you can see in this article, annually brings large yields.
Care Features
For the normal development of a tree at a young age, it is important to carry out forming pruning annually, leaving only those branches on the tree that do not interfere with the growth of others, and are also located at an angle of 45-60 degrees relative to the trunk. In subsequent years, when the skeleton of the tree is already formed, it is recommended to carry out sanitary pruning, as well as gradually replace the old branches with new ones.
Apple tree "Gloucester" needs watering only during periods of prolonged drought. It is worth noting that the variety responds well to fertilizing with organic fertilizer. To ensure nutrition, it is necessary to annually add 3 buckets of humus or rotted manure to each tree trunk. To meet the need for trace elements, foliar top dressing with a micronutrient solution for apple trees can be carried out.
The bark on the trunk of the apple tree "Gloucester" is particularly sensitive to sunlight, therefore, to prevent burns, boles are protected with whitewash. It is especially important to do this before the onset of winter.
Harvest Tips
Since this variety is characterized by strong and continuous growth, fruiting can be postponed to a later date. To make the tree bear fruit earlier, gardeners resort to some tricks:
- Bending the branches down helps to stop their growth and provokes the plant to form rings on them, on which the main crop is located.
- Processing the tree with special agents that inhibit the growth of shoots also has a positive effect on the tree, forcing it to enter fruiting earlier.
- Summer pruning, as well as top dressing without nitrogen-containing substances, helps to increase productivity.
- Gardeners note that the apple “Gloucester” better sets fruit in the presence of pollinators - other varieties of apples, for example, “Idared” and “Jonathan”.
Are the fruits of the Gloucester apples useful?
Apples of this variety contain a lot of substances useful to the human body. They include iron, ascorbic acid, vitamins and minerals. All this allows us to say that it is useful to include “gloucester” apples in the diet of people who have had heart attacks, suffer from anemia and a breakdown. In addition, such apples will be useful for those who want to lose weight, because their calorie content is very low, and the fiber contained in the fruits can cleanse the intestines of various toxins.