Description and characteristics of Idared apples, history and subtleties of cultivation
It is no secret to anyone that the Idared apple tree has many advantages that attract novice and experienced gardeners. Thanks to its advantages, the variety quickly spread in its homeland in the United States and around the world. The apple tree is cultivated in private gardens, on an industrial scale.
Breeding history Idared
The history of breeding the variety goes back almost a hundred years. The apple tree was bred back in 1935 by American breeders. The varieties used were Jonathan, Wagner. Due to its increased taste and excellent fruiting, the variety quickly gained popularity in all parts of the world.
Pros and cons of the variety
Idared has many positive qualities. Among the advantages:
- intensive growth;
- the beginning of fruiting just 3 years after planting;
- yield;
- marketable, taste qualities;
- good immunity.
The variety has no disadvantages. The only thing that gardeners note is a tendency to thickening, diseases.
External characteristics
Acquaintance with the characteristics will allow you to determine the planting site, the location of the Idared variety in relation to other fruit crops in the garden.
Barrel height
The Idared variety is classified as a tall fruit tree. An adult plant easily reaches five meters in height.
Crown width
The crown is thick, wide. The diameter ranges from 5-7 m. You will have to apply regular pruning, which will avoid thickening.
Root system size
The roots do not grow too vigorously. Usually the diameter of the root system does not exceed 5-6 m.
Description of the species
A closer look at the Idared apple tree will allow the study of the main characteristics of the variety. The tree does not differ much from other fruit crops, but it is better to take some time to study the characteristics.
Frost resistance
The peculiarity of the Idared apple tree is that the roots are located too close to the surface of the soil, which often becomes the cause of freezing.
To avoid the death of the plant, you will have to use a shelter.
Resistance to infections
The resistance to diseases of fruit crops is average - the Idared apple tree is often affected by scab and powdery mildew. One way to avoid a dangerous infection is to use chemicals.
Pollinators
Despite the ability of the variety to self-pollinate, it is better to plant pollinating varieties nearby. Suitable for these purposes are:
- Rosavka;
- Wagner;
- Delicious.
Ruby Dooks, Gloucester are often planted near Idared.
Ripening and harvesting
Fruiting begins just a few years after planting. Ripening dates are in September. In cold regions, the fruits ripen almost until mid-October.
Tree life
The life span of the Idared apple tree is at least twenty years. With proper care and timely feeding, the tree will bear fruit much longer - up to 30 years.
Taste qualities of apples
The fruits are sweet, although there is no pronounced apple flavor. The pulp is crispy and juicy. The presentation is excellent - apples have a thin skin, bright blush.
Planting seedlings
Even beginners will not have any particular difficulties with planting an Idared apple tree. The main requirement is to comply with the rules of agricultural technology.
Timing
The recommended planting time for the variety is the beginning of autumn. If winter has come too early, it is better to postpone the process to spring. The main thing is to be in time before the juice starts moving.
Landing technology
The tree is planted in nutritious soil, Idared apple and light loam will like it. Prepare a mixture of compost, peat, sand before planting. The diameter of the hole is up to 80 cm. The depth is 50-65 cm. Make sure that the roots sit comfortably in the hole, gently cover with the mixture.Be sure to water the young tree, put the mulch mixture.
Scheme on different rootstocks
The distance between the seedlings is up to 5 m. The row spacing is much narrower - up to 3 m. If the plant is planted on a columnar or dwarf rootstock, reduce the recommended distance by half.
Vaccinations
The peculiarity of the Idared apple tree is that the variety easily takes root on any rootstock. It is recommended to use different techniques for vaccinations, this will not affect the result.
Agrotechnics
Caring for Idared is no different from growing other fruit crops in the garden. The main requirements are to observe regular watering, chemical treatments, and loosening.
Watering
A prerequisite for proper care is regular summer watering. Use only sun-dried water. One adult Idared tree will need up to 3 buckets of liquid.
Fertilizer
The introduction of nutritional compositions is another prerequisite for caring for the Idared apple tree. It is recommended to focus on complex feeding. Many gardeners successfully use organic matter - mullein infusion.
Pruning and shaping the crown
It is recommended to carry out annual pruning, otherwise the tree will grow rapidly, numerous side shoots will climb. It is better to postpone the process until autumn, in the spring just inspect the plant, cut out branches damaged by winds or frost.
Preventive treatment against insects and diseases
Disease propensity is the main reason to apply regular treatments against infection. It is recommended to focus on copper-containing compositions. The frequency of irrigation of the tree is at least three times per season.Chemicals can be used against pests, but folk sparing remedies can be prepared, especially before harvesting.
Preparing a tree for wintering
Low frost resistance requires annual shelter of the apple tree. Idared must be wrapped with spruce branches, straw, burlap. Be sure to cover the root trunk with a thick layer of mulch (peat, compost) or spread the spruce branches. In winter, carry out a high hilling with snow - a snowdrift will serve as an excellent protection against frost.
Varieties of varieties
Due to the taste and presentation of Idared fruits, they are often used for breeding new varieties.Each species has a number of advantages, which are best studied in advance to know what to expect from the tree.
Dwarf
It has one feature - it completely preserves the qualities of the mother plant. The tree has several advantages:
- ease of harvesting;
- acceleration of fruiting;
- excellent fruit taste;
- compactness.
The height of the tree does not exceed 3 m. The roots are shallow, no more than 30 cm from the soil surface, so regular abundant watering is required.
Technical
The duration of fruiting (almost 40 years) is a distinctive feature of the technical variety. This characteristic is not reflected in the number of apples and taste. Trees are more resistant to frost than the parent plant.
Columnar
Trees forming apples right on the trunk. The raspberry shade of apples, which densely cover the main shoot, attracts attention. The height of an adult plant is up to 2 m. The width is no more than half a meter. Thanks to the developed root system, the columnar variety does not cause any particular difficulties in care, the tree receives the necessary elements and moisture from the soil.
Idared is one of the apple trees that will surely please even the most demanding gardeners. The tree will not cause difficulties in care, it is distinguished by longevity. You should not pay attention to the shortcomings - proper agricultural technology will prevent diseases and freezing.
