Description and characteristics of the Zvezdochka apple tree, growing, planting and care
A feature of the Asterisk apple tree is its vigor. Also, the advantage of the variety is its unpretentiousness in care, the taste of the fruits and the duration of their storage. You can get the maximum yield if you follow all the nuances of planting and caring for a tree.
The history of breeding the apple asterisk
This variety was bred thanks to the efforts of breeders of the Michurinsky Research Institute. The plant was obtained after crossing Anis with Pepinka Litovskaya. Thanks to this crossing, the fruits of the plant have excellent commercial qualities. But due to the instability to low temperature indicators, it is required to plant such a variety in areas with moderate climatic conditions, where cold winters are observed.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Among the positive qualities of the variety, the regularity of fruiting, the taste of apples, their shelf life, and resistance to scab are distinguished. Also, Zvezdochka has disadvantages: lack of resistance to frost, a decrease in yield every year. Direct link between yield and regular crown formation.
Tree characteristics
The asterisk has a lot of individual characteristics. They concern not only the external characteristics of the plant, but also its growth characteristics.
External parameters
The description of the variety says that the tree is characterized by an attractive rounded crown. Moreover, the plant is quite tall and requires formative and sanitary pruning.
Tree height
The tree is characterized by active growth. By the age of 20, the plant can grow more than 5 meters in height.
Crown width
At the beginning of growth and development, the plant has a beautiful rounded crown. With active growth, it can change and become spreading, drooping. At the age of 20, the crown diameter reaches 6 meters in width, if the gardener does not carry out formative pruning.
Annual growth
According to statistics, the annual growth of the plant is set at 0.1 meter. This characteristic describes the tree as an actively growing crop.
Sustainability of culture
Before planting the Zvezdochka variety on your site, you need to know about its resistance to various environmental factors. Most often, gardeners pay attention to the tree's resistance to temperature extremes, attacks of pests and diseases.
To frost and drought
The apple tree is distinguished by average winter hardiness. If you do not provide her with the necessary care, when the temperature is set at -25 degrees, the plant begins to freeze over. In arid climates, the tree needs good watering, otherwise the plant will grow slowly and bear poor fruit.
To infections and pests
This variety is highly resistant to scab. But he is capable of being affected by fruit rot, powdery mildew.
This variety is rarely affected by pests. If you follow all the technology of planting and care, the apple tree will grow and develop well.
Features of the crop
The asterisk bears fruit with medium-sized apples, the weight characteristics of which are set in the range of 80-150 grams. The yield is high and regular. Every year, 90-170 kilograms of fruit can be harvested from 1 tree. Under favorable conditions and good care from the plant, 230 kilograms of fruit can be harvested per year.
Pollinating varieties
For a tree to be pollinated, pollinating varieties are required nearby. The best options are:
- Antonovka;
- Zhigulevskoe;
- Memory of the Warrior;
- Bogatyr.
If the star is planted in a grown apple orchard, it is required to check that a third of all plants planted for this variety are a pollinator.
First fruiting period
If the seedlings were planted on a dwarf rootstock, they begin to bear fruit 1-2 years earlier than standard plants, which form apples 5-7 years after planting. If pruned incorrectly, the tree can also begin to bear fruit later.
The timing of flowering and ripening of fruits
Apples begin to be harvested in early September, if the trees were grown in the southern regions. In northern conditions, ripening begins 2-3 weeks later. The harvested crop should ripen within 3-4 weeks.
Yield
The yield indicator of this variety is high. With proper care, the tree produces 70-110 kilograms of fruit.
Taste qualities of apples
Ripe apples have a sweet taste. The pulp has an attractive sweet and sour aroma.
Collection and use of fruits
You can store the harvested crop for 5-6 months. You need to put fruits in wooden boxes, disinfected with antifungal solutions. You need to lay apples in 1 row. Boxes must be placed in a basement or cellar. If you put apples in the refrigerator, they will be stored there for 2 months.
Apples can be transported. At the same time, they should not be transported over long distances, since they begin to darken at the points of impact with each other.
Planting and care technology
To get a healthy plant, you must observe all the nuances of planting and caring for it. This approach will help to get the maximum yield, protect the plant from pests and diseases.
Preparation of seedlings
You need to buy a seedling from trusted sellers. It is desirable that it be grown in the region where planting is planned. There should be no traces of diseases and pests on the branches. Before planting, the root system of the plant should be soaked in water for a day. All broken roots are removed.
Choosing the best place
The apple tree needs to be planted in a lighted area. The soil on the site should be fertile, loose with deep groundwater. South or southwestern places in the garden are best suited for growing.
Dates and scheme of disembarkation
It is best to plant the plant in springtime. The optimal period for this: the last days of April, May.
If the seedling cannot be planted in the spring, it must be planted in the fall, 1.5 months before the onset of cold weather.This time is necessary for the adaptation of the tree.
Agrotechnics
Before planting, the site must be carefully dug up, cleaned of weeds. Next, a hole with a diameter of 0.4 meters is prepared. The pit is filled by 30% with a mixture made of humus, earth, ash, 35 grams of superphosphate. Next, a seedling is placed, the roots are straightened, and covered with soil. The root collar should be 5-6 centimeters above the ground.
After planting, the soil is compacted and watered. Thorough watering is provided to the tree within 1.5 months after planting.
Pruning and shaping the crown
Since this variety actively shoots, they need to be cut off in time. It is best to perform the procedure in early spring. With the onset of late autumn, formative pruning cannot be carried out.
Sanitary pruning is required when traces of diseases and pests appear. To protect the plant, after the procedure, it is required to treat it with a special agent.
Preparing for winter
So that the plant does not freeze over, it tolerates frosts well, it must be prepared in advance for winter. To do this, reduce the frequency of watering. Before the onset of the first frost, it is recommended to cover the trunk circle with mulch. Spruce paws are best for this.
