Apple tree "Antey": best care tips

Red-sided apples of the winter variety "Antey" are distinguished by a pleasant taste, weight and excellent keeping quality. In a dry cellar with good ventilation, they can last six months. In this case, the skin does not lose elasticity, and the flesh remains as juicy as if the fruit had just been removed from the tree. What other characteristics a variety has, how to acquire it and successfully grow it on your own plot - we'll tell about it later in the article.

Breeding history

Winter apple tree "Antey" is a gift from the specialists of the Belarusian Research Institute to domestic gardeners. Breeders dreamed of creating large-fruited apple with increased resistance to cold climatic conditions.

The progenitors of the variety are Apple cuttings “Newtosh” and “Babushkino”.The hybrid that grew from them was later crossed with the Belarusian Raspberry. In the process of hybridization, the apple tree was tested in severe winters and lack of elementary care. Botanists deliberately deprived of all this apple tree, to test its true vitality.

As a result of painstaking work and long improvements, a new variety was developed, the main advantages of which include frost resistance, stable yield, excellent taste and commodity qualities of fruits, superfluidity.

More than 20 years ago, the apple tree "Antey" for such a positive description of the variety was added to the State Register of tree and handicraft varieties of Belarus as particularly valuable and productive.

Characteristic variety

The hybrid has incorporated the best parental qualities, due to which it adequately competes in the fruit market among winter varieties.

Consider what is special in the apple tree "Antey", why the description, photos and reviews about it encourage gardeners to get such a seedling.

Tree description

Externally, "Antey" is a medium-growth tree, the maximum height of which reaches 2.5 meters. Its branches form a rounded pyramid with distinct tiers.

Young shoots grow intensively, but do not thicken the crown, which greatly facilitates the care of the apple tree. The foliage on the tree is large, dark green, egg-shaped.

The edges of the sheet plate are notched, the tip is pointed, the surface is densely covered with streaks. Scapes on the leaves are long, which visually creates the effect of a strongly leafy crown.

Experts qualify the variety for skoroplodnymi, as the two-year-old seedlings "Antey" begin to blossom and bear fruit. But many gardeners do not allow this, allowing the tree to get stronger.

The first inflorescences open in mid-May. Often, flowers appear on kolchatka. A characteristic feature of an apple tree is the annual regular planting of fruit buds.

Among the worthy qualities of "Anthea" - unpretentious care, easy adaptation to cold.

Fruit Description

The value of the fruits of the hybrid lies in their excellent taste characteristics, large size, delicious color and unsurpassed keeping quality. In the market "Antey" can be recognized by size.

In the eyes immediately catch the red side of a large fruit. On average, one apple weighs in the range of 200-250 g. Fruits have the shape of a blunt cone with smooth edges. Almost always a deep funnel grows brown on the fruit near an oblique stalk.

To the best of ripening, the green background of the fruit is thickly covered with a purple-red blush, evenly filling the entire surface. A bluish sheen gives it a typical wax coating for winter varieties.

Inside the fruit "Anthea" have a slightly greenish tint.The pulp is dense and juicy, the kernels are large. Among the chemical components of apples, dry fibers (13%), pectin (12%), sugars (10%), carbohydrates (9%), titrated acid (0.7%), proteins (0.4%) prevail.

Ascorbic acid and P-active substances are also available. The taste of fruit is sweet and sour, have a delicate pleasant aroma. Tasters rated them on a five-point scale by 4.3 points.

Pollination

Despite the abundant flowering, the hybrid is self-productive, so it is desirable to place it on a plot with other autumn varieties. Breeders as the best pollinators recommend "Anise", "Pepin saffron", "Welsey", "Autumn striped".

Poor pollination is noted in the vicinity of winter varieties. Also next to the "Antey" will be ineffective "White filling" or other summer apple trees.

Gestation period

Harvesting with apples can be throughout September. By this period, the fruits are filled with blush and reach their consumer maturity. In the cold summer season, ripeness is slightly delayed until the second decade of October. In addition, apples during storage do not require additional processing or any other tricks.2 months after laying in the storage the fruits become even sweeter.

Yield

Due to the fact that fruit buds are formed on the "Anthea" with enviable regularity, regardless of weather conditions, the variety is characterized by abundant fruiting. The tree enters this phase already on the 2-3rd year of life.

For hybrid varieties, these terms are considered quite normal. But gardeners often tear off the first inflorescences so that the plant is not depleted. At the next flowering, no more than a dozen buds are left, after which they no longer intervene in the fruit formation process.

Three-year saplings already delight their owners with fragrant fruits. From one tree is quite realistic to remove up to 50 kg of the crop. Thanks to these qualities, "Antey" ranked as commercial varieties.

Transportability and storage

Fruits of a hybrid are covered with a firm elastic skin that simplifies transportation, and the dense pulp is almost not damaged at the same time.Like all winter apples, they must be carefully removed from the branches and in no case should the trunk be braked so that they fall to the ground.

For harvesting, you can stock up on purchased special tools or make them at home by tying the cut-off bottom from a plastic bottle to a long stick. This primitive method allows the fruit to keep whole.

For transportation, it is better to put the fruit in wooden or plastic boxes. If you are already very worried about the harvest, you can shift the fruit with straw or pack it separately into paper. But this is not necessary, since “Antey” is characterized by good transportability.

After harvesting, the apple crates are sent to the storage in the cellar. It is important that there is dry, because in the damp any fruit will not be able to lie for a long time. In no case can not wipe the skin with alcohol or other disinfectants.

This is fraught with the fact that the fetus will lose its natural protection, which is a wax coating.It is he who protects the apple from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

Winter hardiness

Genetic characteristics of the progenitors and the conditions of hybridization have already determined the high rates of winter hardiness of the variety. The hybrid can develop even in regions where the thermometer drops to 30 degrees every winter.

Cold and dampness is also not an obstacle for “Antey”. Therefore, the tree will bear fruit in any climatic latitudes. In addition, the apple tree is normally experiencing spring frosts, and the timing of its flowering excludes the possibility of destroying the buds.

Disease and Pest Resistance

The weak side of the variety can be called the average immunity to scab and powdery mildew. The tree quickly undergoes attacks by malicious insects, which requires timely preventive sprinkling.

In addition, in the soil where there is little calcium, the tree is often exposed to subcutaneous blotch infection. Recognize the disease can be on the sudden rotting of the fruit.

Application

Many cultivate a variety for profit, since it does not require a lot of expenses, is easy to maintain and pays for all the resources invested in it in a hundredfold amount. In the household, Antey is often used to provide the family with fresh fruit in the winter.

Moreover, the apples are well and in favorable conditions may, without losing presentability and taste, persist until May. Some housewives send them for processing and home canning. Breeders in the description of the variety mention the universality of its fruits.

Rules for planting apple seedlings

Separate rules for the apple "Antey" during planting and care does not exist. They are the same as for other varieties. It is important to comply with them.Since the acquisition of a healthy sapling is only half of the successful cultivation of fruit crops, the rest depends on the rooting process and conditions created for development. We will understand all the nuances in order.

Optimal timing

In order to correctly plan the planting, focus on the age of the seedlings. Experts recommend too young saplings before the age of two to root in the spring, and all other specimens, except the old, in the fall.

According to scientists, spring planting is recommended for more delicate crops, summer and autumn varieties of fruit trees, which need time to adapt to winter conditions. It is believed that during the warm season, seedlings will strengthen the root system and increase the first increments, which will allow you to winter.

The only drawback of spring planting is the risk to dry out in the hot summer. Consequently, the tree needs frequent watering, and when planting it is necessary to pour water until it goes into the ground.

Planting needs to start when the ground is warm enough,and the daytime temperature will rise to a stable 14-15 degrees. The optimal dates for spring are considered the last 2 decades of April.

Winter varieties of apple trees easily adapt to new conditions during autumn plantings. The main thing in this case is to have time to take root for several weeks before the first frost. The tree needs at least a short period to master.

However, it does not need regular soil moistening, it does not threaten the drying of the roots. During the period of tranquility in wet soil, the apple tree will grow many root processes and with the onset of heat it will move into intensive growth. Given the characteristics of the temperate climate zone, the second half of October is the best period for planting apple trees.

Location selection

For the further development of the apple tree "Antey" lighting, location of groundwater and soil conditions is important. Proceeding from this, when choosing a site, stop on a chernozem area with a neutral pH reaction, where there are no marshy and rocky areas, spring does not gather melt snow and do not stand puddles.

Underground reservoirs ideally should flow at a distance of 2 m from the surface layer.Do not plan on planting in a shady place; in such conditions, an apple tree will “sit” for a long time without growth, and the crop will not impress you at all either in quantity or quality. So that the tree does not suffer from a lack of lighting, choose a place for it, which is illuminated for at least half a day with diffused light.

Apple does not fit:

• elevations where it is always hot;
• lowlands, where cold air settles;
• corners of rooms where the northern winds blow and walk drafts.

Remember that "Antey" has moderate immunization against pathogens. Therefore, you should not test it for strength by adverse conditions. In dampness, a tree is at risk of fungal infections, which will lead to certain death.

Stepwise landing process

A hole for the apple is dug a month before planting, and in the case of spring rooting - in the fall. The size of the recess must correspond to the root system, often it is 70 cm deep and 90 cm wide. Then prepare a special soil mixture from equal portions of peat, humus, compost and the top layer of fertile land.

The bottom of the hole is lined with expanded clay, and the top is covered with a third prepared substrate. From above cover with a film and leave to landing. In the process of rooting, experts advise:

• Before work, inspect the seedling, remove dry and damaged parts.
• Dip the tree roots for 12 hours in a container with water, in which it is desirable to add a growth stimulator.
• After the procedure, treat the roots with a clay mash.
• Put the seedling in the prepared hole and straighten it.
• Cover with soil, properly rammed. It is advisable to shake the trunk several times so that the earth covers the voids between the root processes.
• Pour over the tree and sprinkle with soil.

Plan the landing of "Anthea" in such a way that the distance between the apple trees is 1.5 m, and between the rows of 4 m.

Seasonal care features

During the growing season, an apple tree requires nutrients, a moderate amount of water, crown adjustment, and soil care.

The abundance of irrigation

Young seedlings need to be watered much more often than mature apples. The first watering plan in the spring before blooming buds and then repeat the soil moistening after 2-3 weeks.The second watering for adult plants is done when they fade, as well as during the growth of greenfields. The last water procedure is desirable to hold a few weeks before harvest.

The rate of water poured under each tree depends on its age: 2 buckets are enough for one-year seedlings, 3-4 buckets for two-year-olds, and 6 to 10 buckets for older ones.

The role of mulch

Each watering should end with tillage in pristvolnyh circles. It is important to loosen and clean it from weeds in time. In order not to evaporate moisture and weeds did not grow, experienced owners lay out hay or other mulch under the trees.

It is important to deviate from the trunks of 10-15 cm. Otherwise, microorganisms that appear in the decomposing material will easily penetrate the roots of the tree, which at best will lead to its diseases.

Top dressing

With the beginning of the active growth of the apple watered infusion of chicken manure to build green mass. During the formation of the ovary, the tree will be very helpful in a solution of nitroammofoski, ammonium nitrate (1 tablespoon), calcium chloride (1.5 tablespoons) and superphosphate (150 g).

All ingredients need to be dissolved in a bucket of water. The following feeding is important at the end of the summer.In order to prepare the apple for the winter, it is desirable to fertilize it with autumn mineral complexes or a solution of superphosphate (50 g per 1 l of water).

Preventive treatment

In the case of "Antey" you should not wait for the first signs of disease, it is better to work ahead of the curve. To do this, in early spring, sprinkle the apple with a solution of copper sulfate (50 g per 1 l).

An alternative to it are the drugs: "Albite", "Scor", "Hom", which must be diluted in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers.

Cropping and crown formation

The crown of the hybrid does not require a strong pruning, since it is not prone to intense thickening. However, each spring, before the start of sap flow, it is necessary to remove old and diseased branches from the tree, clean it from competing shoots, leaving it stronger.

Ideally, the lower layer of branches should consist of the growth of the third year, on the apple tree all shoots should receive uniform coverage and not cast a shadow on each other. The cut point is slightly higher than the third eye. When forming the crown, do not forget to rejuvenate its core.

Preparing for the winter

Only young, not yet mature seedlings need shelter for the winter.Their tree trunks are filled with humus or compost mulch, and the trunk and branches are wrapped in a thick cloth. Adult apples will need to be protected from rodents.

To do this, you can hide the trunk behind a fine mesh, roofing felt or spruce branches. Apple trees "Antey" in a few years will thank you for elementary care with a good harvest, from which you can make a profit if you wish.