Varietal characteristics of the Granny Smith apple tree
Granny Smith apples are one of the most famous varieties. It was created in 1868 by an elderly Australian woman who was fond of breeding work. Anna Maria Smith crossed two types of apple trees - wild from France and common from Australia. The result is a fruit with excellent characteristics, thanks to which it has gained great popularity.
Varietal characteristics of the Granny Smith apple tree
Variety characteristic
The Granny Smith apple tree belongs to the winter varieties, its fruits ripen by the end of September - early October, but in some regions this may happen a little later. Where warm weather does not last long, the harvest may ripen closer to winter, and the taste and useful properties of the fruit will not be at the highest level.
Description of the tree
According to the description, the tree belongs to the genus of semi-dwarfs, its height is 2.5-3.5 m. The crown of Granny Smith apple trees is spreading and dense, it must be cut and shaped. The variety is considered to be medium yielding, although yields can be high if conditions are favorable.
Basically, its peak falls on the period starting from the 5th year, as the tree was planted. Then up to 15-20 kg of the crop can be harvested from the apple tree. Fruiting period is 8-10 years.
Young trees grow quite quickly, but when they enter the fruiting period, the rate decreases. They can be "naughty" when the weather changes. This is usually expressed in the size, appearance and taste of the fruit.
For example, a too cold winter can result in deformed fruits that have a yellowish color instead of the standard bright green. Under the influence of the summer heat, apples dry and shrink.
Description of fruits
These apples are difficult to confuse with other varieties: they have a bright green saturated color and brownish blotches. The peel of the fruit is quite dense, protects the pulp well from damage, so the variety tolerates storage and long-term transportation well.
The apple pulp is juicy and tender, with a sour taste, unlike the other popular and sweet variety Golden.
In general, the fruits are quite large: the weight of one apple is on average 250-300 g. Its shape is oval or round.
Benefit and harm
While one such fruit weighs a lot, it also contains a fifth of the daily fiber for humans. The benefits of eating apples of this variety are simply enormous: they have a positive effect on eyesight, hair, nails and skin, cleanse the blood, and reduce the risk of developing bronchial asthma.
It is difficult to overestimate their effect on the digestive system, the condition of the gums and teeth, as well as cleansing the intestines and removing heavy metals.
Regular consumption of Granny Smith apples is beneficial for such categories of people:
- having skin diseases, incl. eczema;
- suffering from rheumatism, anemia and gout;
- those who need to purify their blood as a result of vascular hardening and low blood pressure;
- adhering to a diet, due to the low calorie content of the fruit;
- little children.
Granny Smith apples should not be consumed without knowing the measures: in large quantities, they can harm the enamel of the teeth, can complicate the situation with the existing gastritis or peptic ulcer. The hydrocyanic acid contained in the seeds of the fruit is considered a poison and should not enter the body.
Composition
87% of the fruits consist of water, they have a huge amount of vitamins, especially P and B6. The calorie content of 100 g of apple is only 47 kcal. Description of BJU in fruits: proteins - 0.4 g, fats - 0.4 g, carbohydrates - 9.7 g. The glycemic index is 30 units.
Disease and frost resistance
The Granny Smith variety, although it has an average level of winter hardiness, does not easily tolerate long periods of low temperatures. A temperate climate is considered optimal for an apple tree, when winter does not last long, and summer, on the contrary, is quite long, but not hot.
The disease resistance of the variety is also average when it comes to diseases such as powdery mildew, monilliosis, scab. Wood is less resistant to powdery mildew and rust.
Landing
Apples grow tasty and juicy
The first important step to get a great harvest is proper rooting of the apple trees. First of all, you need to choose the time and place of landing. The following conditions must also be met:
- 2-year-old seedlings are taken for planting;
- 2 months are counted from frost (in the fall - before them, in the spring - after), so that the apple tree has time to strengthen its roots;
- pits for planting are prepared in advance - about a month before the planned work. This is done so that the soil can settle without harming the roots of a newly planted tree. The pit is dug in the following dimensions: diameter - 1 m, depth - 60–80 cm;
- the distance from one pit to another must be done taking into account the growing crown. The Granny Smith variety perfectly coexists with other winter varieties, while planting raspberry bushes or other berries nearby is not worth it;
- lime is added to the overly acidic earth. You will also need organic and mineral fertilizers;
- immediately before planting, the soil in the pit is moistened, and the roots are straightened and the tree is lowered to the planting site. It should be dripped in to the vaccination site, and then it is imperative to water it with about 5 buckets of water;
- the seedling is tied to a support so that a strong wind does not knock it down. Before the cold weather, it must be insulated (in particular the roots) - for this, manure is used, which is poured around the trunk.
Care
It is simply impossible to get an enviable harvest from a tree that is not properly cared for. Therefore, gardeners need to regularly prune, water and treat diseases and pests.
The Granny Smith apple variety needs to be pruned. weak branches delay the fruiting process and overload the crown of the tree. Apple trees of 2 years of age are subjected to this procedure at the very beginning of spring - before the buds swell.
Watering is necessary for the tree not only in the first time after planting, but also when it has already taken root. It is especially important not to neglect this in the heat, it should be done regularly.
During the growth and ripening of fruits, watering should be carried out less often so that the apples do not crack. Mulching the soil is also necessary for the tree. If it is not rich in nutrients chernozem, then fertilizers should certainly be applied to it. They can be:
- superphosphate;
- compost;
- rotted manure;
- potassium sulfate.
A caring gardener is sure to pay attention to any changes in the appearance of the trees. He may be alerted by such harbingers of the disease as yellowish spots, unexpectedly dull leaves and other signs.
Harvesting and storage
Handle the fruit very carefully during harvest. Despite the dense skin, this fruit is prone to rot as a result of mechanical damage.Therefore, when picking apples of the Granny Smith variety, you cannot pick them as necessary - you need to scroll the fruit around its axis, trying to keep the stalk on the apple.
This is necessary for storing the fetus. If it is not expected, then the presence of a stalk is optional. The removed Granny Smith apple is carefully placed in the basket without hitting it on the others.
The resistance of this variety to rot and mold is provided by the waxy bloom that covers the fruits. Therefore, it is not worth washing it; this can be done immediately before eating the fruit, during washing. The fruit picker is not the best assistant when working with this variety of apples, because it can damage the skin of the fruit.
Apples are placed in boxes in one layer; they must be stored in a clean, dry room at a temperature of about 2 ° C.
The popularity of this variety is ensured not only by its ability for long-term storage and excellent yielding characteristics, but also by its excellent taste. This fruit is successfully used in cooking: it is baked and added to the famous charlotte.