Characteristics and description of the Topaz apple variety, cultivation and yield
Winter varieties of apple trees are very popular among gardeners, since they make it possible to preserve the fruits for a long period and in the cold season to replenish the supply of vitamins in the body. Apple-tree Topaz variety is unpretentious in care, fruitful, shows increased resistance to common diseases. Apples are distinguished by an unusual tart, but at the same time very pleasant taste with hardly noticeable pungency.
Description of the variety
The Topaz apple tree appeared as a result of crossing Rubin and Wanda, quite famous and loved by many gardeners. Jaroslav Tupi, who was an employee of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Academy of Sciences in the Czech Republic, worked on its creation. In 1984, Topaz was first introduced not only to amateurs, but also to professionals. In Europe, this variety has gained wide popularity: juices are squeezed out of its fruits and excellent mashed potatoes are cooked.
The description of this variety indicates that the tree grows medium-sized, with a dense and spreading crown. The crown is round in shape or is a pyramid expanding at the top. She needs compulsory molding and sanitary pruning, prone to overgrowth. The branches are directed downward.
The foliage in the lower part has a strong pubescence, painted in a rich emerald color. Topaz leaves shape - oblong, with a rounded base. Flowers are similar in shape to saucers, medium in size, have a snow-white color.
Apples are most often formed on ringlets. In a southern climate, fruits are also formed on last year's increments. The mass of one apple reaches 200 grams, its shape is rounded, slightly flattened. At the stage of technical ripeness, the main color of the fruit is greenish-cream, and the integumentary color is with bright red-orange spots, which occupy almost half of the area of the whole apple.
The pulp of the Topaz apple tree has a pleasant sweet and sour taste, quite spicy. The aroma is tart and strong. The peel on apples is of medium hardness, slightly rough to the touch, slightly oily. The fruits have a universal purpose and can be eaten both fresh and used for making jam, compote, urinating.
Tasters note that they are characterized by an excellent dessert taste, estimated at 4.8 points.
Specifications
The characteristics of the Topaz apple variety give an idea of the main advantages and disadvantages of the variety.It should be noted that this tree can be grown not only on a medium-sized rootstock, but also on a dwarf one. Topaz is a good pollinator for other apple trees. The plant itself is partially self-fertile, but when another pollinator variety is planted next to it, the yield increases significantly.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of the Topaz apple tree are the following:
- excellent taste of ripe fruits;
- the suitability of the harvested crop for long distance transportation;
- suitability for bookmarking for long-term storage;
- the possibility of using apples of this variety in dietary nutrition due to its composition;
- increased resistance to scab;
- medium resistance to powdery mildew.
There were no particular shortcomings in the Topaz apple tree, although reviews of gardeners indicate that when growing trees in cold climatic conditions, the fruits are sour.
Size of an adult tree, annual growth
An adult Topaz apple tree is medium-sized. Its height ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 meters. Young saplings move very intensively into growth, but an adult tree already gives a moderate increase.
Productivity and frequency of fruiting
A young Topaz apple tree bears fruit annually and gives a bountiful harvest. Up to 12 kg of high quality fruits are harvested from one plant. Yields decrease with age. The apple tree can start bearing fruit in a year. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to strictly follow the care recommendations and take into account the peculiarities of agricultural technology.
Winter hardiness and disease resistance
The Topaz apple tree has excellent winter hardiness. However, when planted in low-lying areas or in areas with high humidity, young trees may freeze slightly. Topaz has excellent scab resistance and medium powdery mildew resistance.
Features of ripening and fruiting
The Topaz variety of winter apples will delight the first harvest only when the tree reaches six years of age. The apple tree blooms at the end of May. The description of the variety suggests that this species belongs to the winter, because the harvest is carried out closer to the end of September or the beginning of October. In any case, they do it a week earlier than the famous variety Golden Delicious.
After picking apples and storing them for storage, they ripen in November, and the fruits are able to maintain their marketability and taste for six months. If the recommended storage conditions are observed, the crop can be saved even longer than the specified period.
Grow-friendly regions
The Topaz variety of winter apples is suitable for cultivation throughout the territory of the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine. Also excellent for cultivation in climatic conditions of central Russia and the Moscow region. Cultivation in colder regions is not excluded, however, as evidenced by the reviews of experienced gardeners, the taste of the fruits there is significantly deteriorating.
The Topaz winter apple tree has excellent drought tolerance, which makes it suitable for cultivation in hot southern climates. Excessive moisture is detrimental to the tree, but its lack does not have a negative effect on the yield, taste and marketability. They remain at a high level.
