Apple variety Autumn joy
Apple-tree Autumn joy is the result of breeding work of S.I. Isaev. - a scientist from VNIIS them. I.V. Michurin. To breed this early autumn variety, two hybrids were crossed - the mother "Welsey" and the daughter "Cinnamon striped". Subsequently, the resulting seedlings were grown in Spartan conditions (on low-nutrient soils at low temperatures), which developed their high resistance to cold weather and most common diseases. Let's consider in a little more detail the description of the quality parameters of this variety.
Apple variety Autumn joy
general characteristics
The tree belongs to tall crops, has a rich, dense and rounded crown, which requires annual formation.
Otherwise, the hybrid can grow up to 12 meters in height. The bark of the trunk and bearing branches is a rich brown hue. Leaves are elongated-conical, wrinkled, fleecy, dark green, with waviness along the edge. The leaf petioles are thin and long.
The fruits are concentrated on young shoots. The apples are rounded with a slight taper towards the top. The main color is golden green, integumentary, with a pronounced bright crimson blush. There are also characteristic blurred dots and strokes.
Each fruit weighs on average up to 130 g. Fruit stalks are strong, extending beyond a wide and shallow funnel. The pulp is medium density, creamy white, very tender and juicy in taste.
Taste qualities
Apples have an unusual spicy aroma and a pleasant sour-sweet taste. They are very juicy and crunchy. They perform well as an ingredient in fruit salads. They are also used to make juice, compote or jam.
Yield
The fruiting level is high. The apple tree is capable of bringing up to 70-90 kg of harvest per year. At the same time, the indicators grow with age: from about 15-20 years old, it stably gives up to 150-160 kg.
Pollinators
Pollinating trees are not required for this species. The ovaries are quite well formed from insect pollination.
Winter hardiness
The autumn joy apple variety shows the high resistance of the hybrid to frost.
Its unpretentiousness to climatic conditions, environment and soil has caused its extraordinary popularity among gardeners, whose backyard plots do not have the best natural characteristics for growing fruit crops.
Disease resistance
The maximum resistance is observed to the disease of scab, to other diseases, infections and pests - a fairly good immunity.
Growing regions
Initial zoning - the central region of Russia, recommended - regions with harsh climatic conditions. The variety has become widespread in Moscow, Vladimir, Tver, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga, Tula, Bryansk and other regions of Russia.
Landing
Good harvest when placed correctly
Despite the unpretentiousness and undemanding composition of the soil, it is better not to place young seedlings on swampy, saline, acidified, too sandy or dense clay soils.
Timing
Planting young seedlings can be started in the fall - until the first frosts come (until the end of October), or in the spring - after the topsoil has warmed up enough (until the end of April).
Technology
The landing site is prepared in advance.
The apple tree belongs to tall plants, so the pit should be quite large - up to 60 cm deep and up to 1 m in diameter.
At the bottom, it is necessary to pour a layer of organic fertilizers (rotted dry manure, compost, biohumus), they are sprinkled with earth about 10 cm. A small mound is formed, a seedling is placed vertically on it and the roots are carefully straightened (a day before planting, they can be placed in a container with water so that they are saturated with moisture).
Then the soil is poured to the root collar of the tree, an earthen roller is formed around the circumference and watered very abundantly.
In dry and hot climatic conditions, the planting pit is also filled with water, they wait for several days when it is absorbed into the ground, and then planting is carried out.
The distance between the seedlings should be at least 4-5 m. It is advisable to plant the plants in well-lit places.
Care
Agrotechnical measures for the apple tree Autumn joy are quite simple and practically do not differ from the content of other fruit crops in the garden.
Watering is regular and moderate, and in hot southern climates it is very plentiful.
Top dressing - by applying organic fertilizers under the root. For adult plants - once in early spring, for young plants - twice a season.
Pruning and shaping - annually, from a very early age. Without this, growth will be uncontrollable, which will make it difficult to harvest future crops. When planting, the bearing branches of the seedling are shortened by about 1/3 of the length, in subsequent years - by 1/4.
It is also necessary to sanitize the removal of dry, diseased branches and thinning the heavily thickened crown.
Regular pruning allows maximum access to sunlight.
Pest control - prophylactic and medicinal. Use whitewashing of the trunk, spraying the crown with an aqueous solution of chemicals.
Bordeaux liquid helps from green aphids, enterobacterin from apple moth, actellic from hawthorn.
Harvesting and storage
The period of fruit formation begins 4-5 years after the planting of seedlings. Fruiting is regular, annual and very abundant.
Harvesting of the finished crop begins in September. Ripe apples tend to fall off the branches, so you should pick them as quickly as possible, without stretching this process for a long time.
It is better to store in a dry and cool place (refrigerator, cellar). Fruits in such conditions do not lose their taste for two months.
Apples are excellent for preservation (preparation of juices, compotes, preserves, jams and other products), as well as for fresh consumption.
Gardeners reviews
Autumn joy is really capable of making any gardener happy with undemanding care and the quality of their fruits. This culture can be safely planted in your home garden and be sure that it will not let you down.
Many speak positively about the variety. They note its unpretentiousness and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Also, some people just like the look of golden and delicious apples.