Characteristics and description of the apple variety Pepin saffron, features of cultivation and care

The Pepin saffron variety will delight you with its excellent taste. Juicy sweet apples are considered a great dessert in any form. Due to the peculiarities of breeding, the tree is widespread in different regions of the country. The Pepin saffron apple tree is planted by private gardeners and farms.

Description of the variety

The Pepin saffron variety began its history more than a century ago. He is considered the best breeding work of I. V. Michurin. The new species was obtained by crossing Reneth of Orleans, Pepinka Litovskaya with Kitayka.

Features of the external features of the apple tree determine the order of planting care, the zones for its cultivation:

1. The trees are not tall. The maximum barrel height is 3 m.
2. The crown is spreading, round. The branches are drooping. They lean to the ground as the fruit ripens.
3. The bark on the shoots changes color depending on the age of the plant - from light green to gray.
4. The foliage is green-gray. The leaves are long with pubescence.

The winter-hardy variety is unpretentious in care. Its harvests are plentiful and annual.

Characteristics of the apple tree Pepin saffron

The characteristics of the Pepin variety determine the best location, allow you to choose the optimal care option.

Where grows

Pepin saffron variety - frost-resistant. The geography of its distribution covers many regions of the country:

1. Rostov region.
2. Voronezh.
3. Krasnodar region.
4. Moscow region.
5. Central District.
6. Ural.
7. Siberia.

The versatility of the variety allows you to grow an apple tree at low and high temperatures.

Fruiting

The timing of the onset of the first fruiting after planting depends on the form of cultivation of the Pepin saffron variety. A tree grafted onto a dwarf rootstock will bear fruit 4 years after rooting. Common apple trees yield in 5-6 years. The abundance of the crop increases with the age of the plant. Up to 80 kg of fruit are usually harvested from a young tree. After 10 years, the figure rises to 220 kg.

Fruit

The fruits of the Pepin variety are distinguished by excellent taste:

1. Medium fruit. The weight of one is up to 100 g.
2. The apples are round, slightly conical in shape.
3. The main color is green-yellow. Ripe fruits develop a bright red blush on the sides.
4. The tender but firm flesh is especially juicy.
5. A barely noticeable sourness and spice are added to the sweet taste.
6. The aroma of apples is wine.
7. Each fruit is rich in useful and nutritious substances, vitamins.

Fresh apples are a great dessert. They are used for sweet preservation - jam, compotes, jam. An excellent snack is obtained from soaked fruits.

Pollinating varieties

For a long time it was believed that the Pepin Saffron variety does not need additional pollinators. In practice, many gardeners have noted the need for additional pollinator varieties. Pollination is best handled by:

1. Antonovka.
2. Slav.
3. Welsey.

Thanks to these varieties, the quality and quantity of the crop are improved.

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Winter hardiness and disease resistance

The apple tree Pepin has a high level of frost resistance. It tolerates temperatures as low as -25 degrees. Saplings need additional protection from the cold. Before the onset of winter, they are covered with a special material, the ground around the trunk is mulched with sawdust or peat. In severe frosts, mature trees should also be insulated. They are wrapped with a covering film. The roots are covered with mulch.

The variety is highly resistant to fungal diseases and insect pests. It is important to carry out prevention:

1. Regular cleaning of the territory from debris, rotten fruits, dry branches, fallen leaves.
2. Digging under a tree
3. Sanitary pruning of branches. Affected, dry shoots must be removed immediately.
4. The use of special chemicals for the timely treatment of the apple tree. Best suited "Nitrafen", "Karbofos" and others.

Advantages and disadvantages

The many virtues of the variety have made Pepin Saffron a popular planting in many garden plots:

1. Fruiting occurs early.
2. Ripe fruits do not fall to the ground.
3. Apples look presentable.
4. Fruits tolerate transportation well over long distances.
5. High level of frost resistance.
6. The harvest is annual and abundant.
7. The likelihood of being affected by diseases and pests is insignificant.
8. Self-fertility.

The variety has specific features. Considering them, you can avoid problems when caring for the variety:

1. With poor care, the fruits become smaller.
2. Pepin is very picky about the composition of the soil at the planting site.

Planting rules for seedlings

To plant Pepin, you need a high-quality seedling, a suitable territory, a set of garden tools.

Optimal timing

The recommended planting period is spring. If you root the plant in the fall, then it should be carefully insulated before the onset of cold weather.

Seat selection

Pepin prefers a well-lit area. With a lack of light, the fruits of the tree are crushed. Swampy areas should be avoided. Plant a seedling on a hill. The groundwater level should not exceed 2 m.

The apple tree is demanding on the composition and quality of the soil. It will grow well in fertile land where good aeration is present.

Site preparation

Prepare for planting in the fall in August. Compost, superphosphate, potassium salt are evenly distributed on the site. The soil is carefully dug up.

If planting is planned in the spring, then the seedling pit is prepared in the fall. A mixture of fertilizers and soil is poured into the depression.

Preparation of seedlings

It is important to choose a quality, healthy Pepin saffron seedling. Before planting, it should be immersed in water for 4 hours. Rinse the roots of the plant in a clay mash.

Planting process and scheme

Recommended planting steps:

1. Prepare a landing pit: depth - 70 cm, diameter - 80 cm.
2. Drive in a pair of wooden stakes on both sides.
3. Lower the seedling into the recess. Spread it out, cover it with soil. Tamp the area around.
4. Tie the handle to the supports with a soft rope.
5. Dig a hole around the trunk for watering.
6. Water the planting abundantly.

With proper planting, the root collar is placed 5-7 cm above the ground.

How to care for an apple tree

Mandatory procedures should be followed: watering, fertilizing, crown formation, disease prevention.

Watering

The variety is recommended for regular irrigation. Every week, 10-15 liters of water are consumed per plant. An adult apple tree is watered 1-2 times a month. The frequency and amount of watering depends on the surrounding weather conditions. At the end of summer, the planting is not moistened. The final watering is carried out after the foliage has fallen. This will increase the tree's resistance to frost.

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Top dressing

The amount and quality of fertilizer affects Pepin's yield. Top dressing is applied by periods:

1. After flowering, the tree is fertilized with bird droppings diluted with water in a ratio of 1:15. For one apple tree - 8 liters.
2. Slurry, dissolved in water, is introduced under the tree trunk after the ovaries fall off.
3. In autumn, cow dung and compost are used.

Pruning

The optimal period for pruning the Pepin variety is spring, autumn. A year after planting, the main trunk is cut into 2 buds. Then the formation of the crown is carried out. Sanitary pruning is mandatory: dry and damaged branches must be removed. In mature trees, the crown is removed. The crown should not be in contact with other landings. For this, the side shoots are shortened.

Pest and disease control

Apple tree Pepin can be affected by scab. It extends to weak trees that are not cared for. It is important to take preventive measures to prevent the development of the disease:

1. Compliance with planting hygiene. Cleaning of rubbish, rotten fruit residues, fallen leaves.
2. Digging up the soil.
3. To process the cuts of branches, a garden pitch is used.
4. In early spring, the soil around the apple tree is treated with fugicides.
5. The plant is treated with a manganese decoction, Bordeaux liquid, and copper sulfate.
6. The affected foliage and branches are removed in time.

Preparing for winter

Despite the frost resistance of the variety, it is recommended to additionally protect the plant from frost:

1. Young cuttings are completely covered with a special material. In adult apple trees, only the trunk is covered. Mulching the soil is carried out using peat, manure.
2. Rodents are especially dangerous for the fruit tree. To scare them away, mechanical traps or scarers are placed in the garden.
3. Upon reaching 5 years of age, the apple trees begin to whiten with a solution of lime or emulsion.

Variety subspecies

The Pepin saffron variety has several varieties.

Cultural winter

The cultural winter subspecies is widespread in the Middle and Central regions of the country, in the Volga region, and is grown in the Moscow region. He is picky about the soil. It is not recommended to plant in soil with high acidity.

Creeping

The creeping form of Pepin saffron is frost-resistant. Its distinctive feature is that the crown spreads along the soil. To do this, you need to work with skeletal branches, bend them to the ground.

Features of growing in the regions

The universal variety Pepin is cultivated in many regions of the country.

Moscow suburbs

The territory of the Moscow region is an excellent option for growing apple trees. Soil composition and climate are favorable for the development of a healthy tree.

Ural and Siberia

The high frost resistance of the variety allows you to plant Saffron Pepin in local garden plots. In severe frosts, additional shelter is needed.

Harvesting and storage

A feature of the Pepin variety is that the crop is harvested before it ripens. In early autumn, the fruits are cut from the branches. Full maturation occurs in 40-60 days. Apples have a long shelf life of about 1 year.

Apple-tree Pepin saffron - the owner of numerous advantages. Sweet fruits contain vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the human body. The universal variety is widely zoned.It is grown by gardeners in the northern, central and southern regions. They appreciated the benefits of the popular apple tree.