Almost all varieties of apple trees, which are classified as the most popular both among amateur gardeners and professionals, are winter-hardy and early-growing. One of such plants is considered to be the Kovalenkovsky apple tree, the description of which contains information about several of its undeniable advantages over others. What are the features of the variety? First things first.
Variety Characteristics
Apple tree "Kovalenkovskoe" as a separate variety was bred in Belarus. By maturity, it can be attributed to late summer or early fall. This depends primarily on the place where the tree grows: in the conditions of the southern regions of Ukraine and Belarus, the fruits ripen in August, and in the Moscow Region and the Yaroslavl Region, harvesting can only begin in mid-September. The variety showed good resistance to scab and other diseases typical of apple trees. The apple tree is early, that is, it begins bearing fruit in the 2-3rd year after planting.
The apple variety “Kovalenkovsky”, among other things, has excellent frost resistance, therefore, its successful cultivation is possible even in Siberia and the Far East. This feature served as the yield of the variety is regular and quite high: annually you can collect up to 30 tons of apples of good quality per hectare of plantings.
Description of the apple tree and its fruits
Apple tree "Kovalenkovsky" does not grow too large, as it belongs to medium-sized varieties. This feature makes it easy to care for the plant at any time. The shape of the crown is round, with a uniform distribution of branches in it. Fruits apple "Kovalenkovskoe" mainly on the ringworm. The fruits of this variety weigh a maximum of 150 g, are painted in a light green color with a bright red blush that covers most of the fruit. The taste of apples is sweet, with a pronounced apple flavor. The pulp of the fruits is white, fine-grained, very juicy. The main advantage of the variety, according to gardeners, is the complete absence of shedding apples from the tree during their ripening.
Apple tree planting “Kovalenkovskoe”
It is better to plant a given apple tree variety in a permanent place in the fall, however, if severe frosts are approaching, there is a danger of freezing of the seedling. In such cases, it is better to postpone planting in the spring, keeping the young tree in a dug form. Apple tree “Kovalenkovskoe” takes root quite quickly, giving a good growth in the very first summer. For the normal development of the crown, it is important to choose the right landing site. What you need to take into account:
- Illumination - the tree should receive maximum light, therefore, on the south side of it there should not be bulky buildings and tall plantings;
- protection from the cold winter wind - despite the high frost resistance of the variety, fruit buds can be dried, which will affect the yield;
- neighborhood - the apple tree does not tolerate closely growing corn and sunflower, as they dry out the soil, which prevents the seedling from developing.
Leaving: we water an apple-tree to fruiting
Since the Kovalenkovskoye apple tree begins to bear fruit very quickly, in the first year it is required to ensure the active growth of branches, which will bring the crop in the future. To do this, it is enough to feed the tree with nitrogen fertilizers with the onset of heat. In April this should be root top dressing, and in May-June - non-root. The composition of the root dressing is as follows: add 2 tbsp. To a large (10 l) bucket of water l urea and, after watering, pour 15 liters of solution into the tree trunk circle of each tree. For foliar feeding, it is better to use organics, for example, "Gumi".
In the first year after planting, the young plant also needs autumn top dressing, which should contain potassium and phosphorus. To prepare a nutrient solution, you must dilute in a bucket of water 2 tbsp. l any phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. The amount of solution for feeding one tree should not exceed 15 liters.