Characteristics and description of the Imrus apple tree, cultivation, planting and care
The apple variety Imrus is distinguished by winter hardiness, regular fruiting and excellent taste of the fruit. To get the maximum yield, you need to know about the nuances of planting and caring for the Imrus apple tree. Such care and agricultural technology will allow you to get a long-term healthy plant.
The history of breeding the variety Imrus
This varietal species was bred in 1977 by crossing Antonovka ordinary and its hybrid varietal subspecies. In 2000, the resulting plant, after passing the state tests, was recommended for planting in various Russian regions.
External data
Before planting an apple tree, you need to pay attention to its description. This is due to the fact that the advisability of planting a crop will depend on the overall characteristics of the site, the climate.
Tree growth
This tree is distinguished by average growth rates. Basically, its height reaches 3 meters.
Crown size
The crown has a spreading structure. In most cases, it is rounded. The crown density is average, while its dimensions are quite compact, since when branching from the trunk, the skeletal branches form an acute angle.
Annual growth
The annual sprout of the apple tree is 0.1 meters per year due to the vertical arrangement of the branches. Because of this, the tree requires formative pruning, the deviation of the branches in a horizontal direction. Such tree care is mandatory, since in its absence and active growth, the apple tree begins to bear less fruit.
Flowers and leaves
The leaf plates are characterized by an ovoid shape, elongated in length. The tip of the leaf is pointed, twisted upward. The leaf surface has a wrinkled structure, gloss. The edges of the leaves are ribbed and jagged.
Imrus blooms in small flattened whitish-pinkish flowers. Flowers are collected in 5-6 pieces, form corymbose inflorescences.
Tasting qualities of apples
The fruits are characterized by a flattened shape. Their size is medium, the skin has an oily sheen, fine structure. Fruit color - green or lightened yellow.The pulp is colored in a creamy shade, its structure is fine-grained.
Apples have an attractive sweet aroma, juicy sweet and sour pulp. The fruits contain a huge amount of ascorbic acid, sugar, pectin.
Characteristics of the variety
The Imrus variety is quite popular among Russian gardeners, since it has a lot of advantages:
- increased immunity to the following pathologies: powdery mildew, scab;
- increased level of productivity: an average of 30 kilograms from 1 apple tree;
- regular fruit formation;
- long shelf life of the harvested crop.
Among the disadvantages of the resulting product, the thin skin of apples is distinguished.
Yield
The quality and quantity of the harvest directly depends on the climatic regional characteristics, ensuring proper care. According to statistics, this variety is considered fruitful: at the age of 4-6 years, the tree is capable of producing an average of 20 kilograms of apples.
Winter hardiness
Frost resistance is considered another varietal feature. Such trees are unpretentious, resistant to temperature extremes. They adapt perfectly to early drops in temperature.
Scab and fire blight immunity
Imrus is characterized by increased immunity to scab. But it is worth considering that if proper care and planting rules are not followed, the tree may suffer from a bacterial burn. This disease develops in high humidity conditions. To protect the tree, it is necessary to remove the damaged area of the bark, treat the indicated area with a disinfectant.
In which areas can you grow?
Imrus can be grown in various regions of the country. The best option is considered to be the cultivation of such a plant in the suburbs. With proper care, the tree begins to bear fruit here early.
Imrus grows well and develops even on poor soils of the Leningrad Region. Such indicators are achieved due to the unpretentiousness of the plant, its resistance to cold weather. Since the variety is genetically resistant to scab, it is ideal for cultivation in Belarus.
Fruiting varieties
To achieve good fruiting, you need to know the nuances of pollination, flowering and fruit ovary of this variety. Subject to all the rules, the tree will delight the gardener with a bountiful harvest.
Pollination
Imrus is an almost self-fertile variety, which, with self-pollination, is capable of setting only 15% of the fruits. For pollination of the crop, other apple trees should be planted on the site. However, no specific pollinator varieties are identified.
Bloom
The variety is characterized by medium early flowering. This process usually begins in early or mid-May.
The beginning of fruiting
The fruiting period for this variety begins in the 3-4th year of development. In the first year of its growth, the tree gives a small harvest - no more than 10 apples. The yield is growing every year. The fruits begin to form in early September.
Ripening apples
The ripening period of the fruit may change depending on climatic conditions and the provision of the necessary care. Most often, apples begin to ripen en masse in September. The process continues until early October.
Terms of storage and use of fruits
Imrus apples are stored for a very long time, which makes it possible to transport them over long distances. The consumer period is set until March. At the same time, it is required to store the crop in dark places. Apples are best kept cool.
Subspecies and variants
Imrus has several subspecies. Among them are the columnar, dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees.
Columnar
Such trees are distinguished by the fact that they grow upward, without side branches. Tree height: approximately 3 meters.During the fruiting period, the trunk is hung with a lot of fruit. Such a plant is unpretentious in care, it has an interesting appearance.
Dwarf
Such plants are distinguished by early fruiting, low structure. Moreover, the trees are unpretentious to care for. Such a variety is obtained with a stock to a common planting material.
Semi-dwarf
The trunk length of such apple trees does not exceed 2 meters. Such trees give a bountiful harvest, but differ in capriciousness, the need for careful care.
How to grow a tree?
To grow a healthy tree, you need to know the nuances of planting and the necessary care. The first step is to choose the right place. It should be sunny on the site, while moisture should not stagnate in the soil.
Landing time and technology
Planting should be done in the fall. The best option is considered to be planting from mid-September to mid-October.
Preparation of seedlings
Saplings are required to choose those on the trunk and branches of which there are no traces of pathologies and pests. It is best if the seedling was grown in the conditions of the region where the planting is planned. If the plant has undergone long-term transportation, its root system must be soaked in water before planting.
Well size and depth
When forming a hole, it is required to calculate the site so that Imrus is located at a distance from other trees. Do not bury the tree too deeply; the width of the hole should correspond to the radius of the root system.
What kind of soil is right?
The best option for growing such a tree is to plant it in loamy or sandy loam soil. In this case, the earth should be loose, oxygen-permeable.
Agrotechnics
After planting the plant, you need to monitor the condition of the seedling. All old or wilting branches should be pruned. If lesions form on the surface of the trunk, they must be healed with a pitch.
A year after planting, it is required to cut off all flowers in order for the plant to take root better. When a crop appears, it must be normalized: remove half of the apples measuring 1 centimeter.
Watering
In the first year of plant development, you need to monitor the water balance in the soil. You need to water the tree regularly, avoiding land drought.
From the second year of development, it is required to moisturize the tree only during periods of high temperatures, or when fruits and buds are forming. Watering is organized twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. 1 bucket is required for 1 tree.
Crown pruning
If you regularly prune the crown, the yield of the apple tree will increase. The procedure is carried out in early spring. It should be done before bud break.
Prevention of diseases and insects
In order for the plant to actively grow and develop, it must be regularly examined for the presence of pathologies and pests. If traces appear, the tree should be treated immediately. Regular shaping and sanitary pruning of the crown is a good prevention of diseases and pests.
Mulching
If the apple tree was planted in harsh regions, the soil must be mulched around the trunk. So the plant will be able to painlessly survive the cold and give a crop in time.
