Apple variety Bogatyr
In 1925, the Bogatyr apple tree was bred on the territory of Ukraine. Breeder Chernenko, together with Michurin, developed a variety suitable for growing on black soil or less fertile soils.
Apple variety Bogatyr
general characteristics
The Bogatyr apple variety is frost-resistant. Under standard conditions, it begins to bear fruit in the 4th year.
The yield is gradually increasing: in the 9th year, you can get 60 kg of apples, and after 16 years - 80 kg. The maximum performance is 130 kg per season.
The variety is characterized as self-fertile. But cross-pollination is not excluded - it allows you to improve the quality of the fruit. Suitable pollinators: Melba or Strefling.
Growing region
The largest crop can be harvested in the Moscow region or in the middle lane.
These are ideal climatic conditions for Bogatyr. Due to its high winter hardiness, the variety takes root in the Urals and in Siberia, but here, too, increased tree protection is needed.
Description of the tree
The tree grows up to 5 m (record holder - 6 m). Dwarf rootstocks reduce this figure to 3-4 meters.
Fruiting is carried out on the ringlets. The advantages of the variety include a strong trunk that does not break even in bad weather, and a voluminous crown: there are many leaves on it, and side branches begin to grow from the age of 3.
Due to the close location of the branches in relation to each other, they must be cut off, otherwise the fruits may form at different times or not gain weight.
When grafting an adult apple tree, varieties are chosen that are the same in terms of characteristics and ripening time. Looking for persistent hybrids that bear fruit in mid or late September.
Description of fruits
According to the description, apples of the Bogatyr variety are quite large (200-300 g), their calorie content per 100 g is 45 kcal. BJU: proteins - 0.4, fats - 0.3, carbohydrates - 11.3.
The fruits are flattened on the sides and convex in the central part, their color changes as they ripen: at first they are green, but with the approach of maturity, a red blush appears on the apples. When stored for a long time, the crop turns yellow.
The pulp is firm, grainy and crunchy, and its characteristics do not change even after long-term storage. The taste of apples is sweet and sour.
The composition is balanced: the proportion of dry matter in the fruit is at least 12%, they also contain ascorbic acid and vitamins.
Planting culture
The composition of the soil is important for the variety
The hero is picky about soils: the best option for an apple tree is a loamy soil composition.
You need to choose a spacious, inexhaustible land plot. If it does not differ in fertile soils, additional fertilization is carried out.
A well-lit land plot is selected for planting, lowlands cannot be used - water from the entire garden often stagnates in such an area, and excess moisture leads to the process of rhizome decay.
An important requirement is the level of groundwater.The roots of the tree grow deeply and can be damaged by high groundwater. As a result, nutrients are lost, which greatly slows down growth.
The maximum water height is 2.5 meters.
Disembarkation dates
The grafted seedling must be soaked on the eve of planting: if it is not grafted and not wetted, the planting material will not be able to take root quickly.
Usually planted in spring or autumn. The timing is determined by the weather conditions: the rainy season is not suitable, because the tree will not have time to get stronger and may rot.
- If planting is carried out in the spring, you need to have time to do this before the first buds appear, and also wait for the soil to warm up, otherwise the rhizome will quickly die.
- When planting in autumn, it is important to plant the seedling correctly, otherwise it may not survive the cold, and the entire crop must also be harvested. The most optimal period is a month before the expected frost.
In the spring, planting allows the tree to take root - over the summer, the seedling gets used to weather conditions, temperature changes and regular care. If planting is carried out in the fall, the tree immediately prepares for winter.
Disembarkation scheme
The task of gardeners is to prepare a planting pit: a depth of at least 80 cm and a diameter of 1 m. 2 weeks before the main event, organic fertilizers are introduced into it: compost or manure, diluted in equal parts with water.
If such work is planned in the spring, the hole is prepared before winter.
A week later, the pit is dug up: you need to mix the top layer of soil and settled organic matter. After that, it is left for 7-8 days so that the soil is additionally saturated.
A drainage layer is created from a mixture of sand and gravel. More sand is introduced if the soil composition is too clayey.
The last stage is the installation of a peg, which will serve as an additional support for the seedling.
A peeled seedling with roots is placed (they are neatly leveled). Soil is poured on top, it is carefully rammed.
A soil roller is created around the trunk: it will protect the crop and improve the quality of regular watering. The seedling is watered abundantly (you will need 5 buckets of purified water).
Care features
In the spring
In the spring, you need to feed the tree
Organic fertilizers containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are selected. Such nutritional components allow the tree to start growing rapidly.
Watering works are carried out three times per season. Until summer, more moisture is not required. Liquid is applied under the root or into a small trench created - it protects the topsoil from washing out. Fertilization is applied during the same period.
Pruning is carried out before the formation of ovaries. Remove dry or crooked twigs. With the help of this procedure, crowns are formed - even branches are left on which a crop is formed.
In summer
Summer irrigation depends entirely on the region. If a drought begins, then more water is applied during one watering - it is better not to increase the number of waterings. In addition, foliage is irrigated with purified liquid, but only after sunset, so that burns do not form on the leaves.
During the flowering and fruiting period, organic fertilizer is applied. Compost or slurry is used. Poultry droppings must be diluted with water in order to reduce the concentration of active substances.
According to gardeners, the younger the tree, the more organic matter it needs. The nutrient mixture is introduced at a distance of 10-20 cm from the trunk.
In the summer, the twigs are not pruned. An exception is the epidemic of fungal diseases. The hero is resistant to such diseases, but with improper care, the culture's immunity is weaker and it can get sick. In this case, diseased shoots are cut off, and the cut sites are disinfected.
In autumn
Before harvesting, watering and fertilizing the soil is stopped. The apples are removed, and then sanitary pruning is carried out.
Unlike spring pruning, pruning in spring should protect the crop. Only damaged and diseased branches are removed. The state of the trunk is immediately checked so that the larvae of parasites do not hide in the bark.After that, the tree is insulated for the winter.
The mulching method is used. Before that, the soil is fertilized and watered for the last time in a season. Straw is laid around the trunk - this is the natural protection of the crop. With warming, it can be removed.
Ripening and fruiting
The fruits of the Bogatyr variety ripen at the same time: it is better to pick them at the end of September, then the apples will “pick up” the sweetness and acquire a red blush. You can remove the fruits in October, if the cold snap has not begun.
In order to increase the yield, in the first years the inflorescences are completely removed - this way the tree grows better. The flowering of the variety is no more than a month.
The shelf life is 250 days. The harvest is left in wooden boxes, in a cool place, with a minimum amount of sunlight.
Rootstocks and types
- A hero on a dwarf rootstock has a superficial root system, an apple tree grows up to 4 meters. The first fruits are formed in the 4th year.
- On a semi-dwarf rootstock tree up to 4 meters in height. The rhizome lies deep. It bears fruit for the first time in the 5th year.
- On a columnar rootstock, the root system needs to be formed. Regular pruning is carried out. A stock is selected for small plots of land.
Gardeners reviews
Experienced gardeners speak well of the winter variety Bogatyr. It can withstand temperature extremes and cold winters.
The tree itself looks powerful, the yield is high, the shelf life of the fruits is at least six months. The resulting crop is distinguished by a high tasting score.
Another advantage of the variety is the resistance of the apple tree to various diseases: the hero is not afraid of either scab or powdery mildew.
Timely prevention, which is carried out on all horticultural crops, helps to strengthen the tree's immunity.