Description of the columnar apple variety Favorit, advantages and disadvantages
Among all types of fruit trees, the Favorit apple tree is especially popular among summer residents and gardeners, and in large garden farms. The name itself speaks about it. This type of columnar apple was bred by Russian botanists in 2000 in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Federation, and quickly spread throughout the country.
Description of the variety
The variety has been previously described to help gardeners properly care for the tree so that it blooms and bears fruit in a timely manner. The Apple tree Favorite is unpretentious and does not require special care - it is enough to follow the basic agrotechnical rules for growing fruit-bearing trees - to provide a sufficient amount of light, loose soil and timely watering.
The Favorite apple variety belongs to the late-ripening columnar varieties. The fruits are harvested at the end of September and can be stored until spring. The trees have a dense, slightly rounded crown and straight branches. The leaves on them are wide, greenish-yellow, with a pointed twisted top.
Pros and cons of the variety
The advantages of the Favorite apple tree include:
- resistance to low temperatures;
- immunity to a number of fungal diseases and resistance to pests;
- fast ripening of fruits;
- high yield;
- apples with a pleasant dessert taste;
- unpretentiousness.
Perhaps the only drawback attributed to this variety of apples is the shrinking of the fruits with an increase in their number.
The combination of these indicators has made this tree one of the most beloved by domestic gardeners.
Characteristic
All the main characteristics of the Favorit apple variety provide the tree with mostly positive recommendations.
Dimensions of the tree
After planting, the seedlings begin to grow rather slowly, for the formation of an adult tree 4-5 meters high, the Favorite needs from 3 to 5 years. At the same time, the variety begins to bear fruit. In order for the first harvest to please with the abundance and size of the fruits, the tree needs to be looked after. There is nothing difficult in leaving, it is enough that it is planted in a sunny place, and the soil is periodically loosened and watered.
Fruiting
The first fruits that appear on the apple tree 2-3 years after planting will be large, almost uniform red. Apples will ripen regularly, and their number will increase every year.
With proper care and a sufficient amount of light and warmth, fruits will improve their taste characteristics with each new harvest.
On average, their tasting score is 4.7 on a five-point system. The fruits are sour-sweet, the pulp is medium in density, very juicy and tender. Sugar predominates in them, compared to the amount of acid. This allows you to use fresh apples, make preparations in the form of jam and preserves, cook compotes and squeeze juice.
Winter hardiness
The Favorit apple tree is distinguished by its high frost resistance. It is recommended to feed the trees in autumn to give them strength for wintering. In this case, the buds of the Favorite will not freeze over, even if there are no other trees nearby.
Disease resistance
Speaking about the resistance of the variety to fungal diseases and pests, it can be clarified that the Favorite apple tree is immune to scab and powdery mildew. To prevent other diseases, the tree is treated with chemicals.
Important! Chemicals must not be used to protect trees from diseases during the fruiting period, otherwise the apples will absorb some of the chemicals and enter the human body.
Features of ripening and fruiting
These apple varieties begin their ten-day flowering period in April-May. White fluffy flowers bloom in bunches all over the tree. Then the formation and development of the ovary occurs quickly. By September, ripe fruits weighing from 100 to 300 grams are removed. On reddish shiny apples, during storage, until February-March, a waxy bloom appears, which is easily washed off.
Young apple trees of the Favorite bring a harvest every year, which, over time, becomes more abundant. Over time, fruiting becomes periodic, and the fruits are smaller. Fruits contain 29 times more sugar than acids, and ascorbic acid in Favorit apple - 7.0 milligrams per 100 grams of pulp.
Regions for growing varieties
The most favorable climate for growing the Favorit apple tree is in Central Russia. Here the tree has enough warmth, sun and moisture, so the intensity of fruiting, the size and quality of the fruits here give the highest rates.
Despite its good resistance to frost, the cultivation of this columnar variety of fruit-bearing trees in Siberia or in the North, where cold sets in quite early, is problematic. Due to the lack of heat, the size of the fruits decreases, the quality deteriorates, and due to the early onset of frost, the harvest may be completely ruined.
Planting and grooming tips
In order for the Favorite apple tree to take root, some features must be taken into account when planting:
- it is better to plant seedlings in northern latitudes in spring - there is a high probability that trees planted before winter will not withstand the cold;
- in the Middle Lane, an apple tree is planted both in spring and in autumn, the main thing is to choose a tree with a developed intact root system;
- it is better to place seedlings in the ground on loamy or sandy loam soils;
- trees do not like shade and drafts, in such conditions the fruits will not gain enough strength, and the buds will constantly die off.
The key to the development of an apple tree and an increase in fruiting are:
- watering every two weeks during a drought in summer;
- loosening the soil every 10-12 days;
- feeding and fertilizing in the off-season (spring and autumn) - compost, humus, fertilizers with potassium.
From the very planting of seedlings, you need to begin to carry out periodic pruning of shoots. In the first year, all branches are cut by 30-40 centimeters, which interfere with the formation of a strong trunk, then for two years the branches are cut by no more than 25 centimeters. When the tree begins to bear fruit, you will have to periodically thin out the crown and saw off dry branches. This will help new young branches grow.
The Favorit variety apple tree will perfectly take root on a personal plot in the Central Russia. Its fruits will appeal to the most demanding connoisseurs and those who love sweeter juicy apples.
