Apples "Aydared": description of the variety, the properties of the fruit and especially the cultivation
Nowadays, store shelves are full of a wide assortment of apples loved by many.This is one of the most common fruits in the CIS countries and Europe. Moreover, due to climatic conditions, apples are ideal for growing in marked areas. Domestic gardeners are engaged in their breeding, not only for themselves but also for sale. Many of them prefer the already Russified variety “Idared”, famous for its unpretentiousness in cultivation.
Variety description
Probably everyone is familiar with the sweet taste of crumbly apple “Idared” in Russia. And the variety itself is one of the favorite among domestic gardeners. Firstly, it is considered winter, which speaks of its endurance to winter temperatures and their sudden changes. Secondly, it gives a consistently good yield, allowing to engage in cultivation even on an industrial scale. At the same time, harvested apples can keep a fresh look for a long time, making it a suitable option for transportation.
In itself, a tree resembling a pyramid is mostly medium-sized (3 to 4 meters), which simplifies harvesting. Thick fruiting is characteristic of the entire length of the branches. The older the tree, the higher the yield. The apple tree gives the first harvest in the fifth year after planting; in the seventh year of growth, it is possible to harvest about 25 kilograms of apples; after 5 years, the figure rises to 90 kilograms from one tree.
Apples are green-red in color, which is darker in some places and lighter in places, have a rounded shape. The weight of one apple ranges from 150 to 180 grams. The fruit does not have a pronounced aroma, but has a very sweet taste with a slight sourness.
Need to know that "Idared" is not a self-pollinating variety, therefore, for the highest yields, it needs the presence of suitable pollinators in the neighborhood. It is important that the pollinator and pollinated tree match the flowering time.
To prevent novice gardeners from getting into a mess, it is recommended to plant other varieties of apple trees, such as Red, not far from the Idared variety.
Since “Aydared” is a hybrid that came to us from America, high temperatures are also familiar to it, therefore the plant has sufficient drought resistance. Giving a variety of some universal temperature endurance, breeders significantly strengthened its immunity.
The apple tree and its fruits are resistant to spotting, powdery mildew and scab. Vulnerable plant is in the flowering period. At this time, even a slight frost can cause crop loss. Flowering begins in April-May, and you can prepare for harvesting in September. Fruits are not showered from the branches, which eliminates the appearance of defects from the fall, which often become the cause of decay. Freshly harvested apples are stored in the refrigerator for a long time.
Properties of apples
While maintaining a fresh look and taste for a long time, the apple does not lose its benefits. Their use in cooking is very wide: due to the low calorie content, rich taste and flavor, apples are a good option for preparing various desserts. And if we talk about the benefits of apples in their raw form, then nutritionists and endocrinologists argue that green varieties with pronounced sourness are much more useful than red varieties of apples. Red apples, unlike green ones, contain a greater amount of carbohydrates (sugar), so their excessive use is undesirable for people who are prone to diabetes or suffering from them. In addition, green apples contain a greater amount of vitamin C, which is responsible for immunity.
But green apples are inferior to red in taste, where the acidity is not pronounced, but significantly “diluted” with a pleasantly sweet taste. Due to the taste qualities of red apples, they, according to traders, are more in demand on the market. And “Idared”, like a red-green apple, besides everyone's favorite sweet-sour taste, also has a soft, juicy, friable structure.
But for people suffering from diabetes, you still need a love for green and red apples "Idared" to coordinate with the doctor, because the fruit contains 10.5% sugar per 100 g of product. In the presence of this disease, it is more expedient to use pure green apples (for example, "Granny Smith") as they contain much less carbohydrates.
And if diabetes does not threaten you, then the sweet-sour “Idared” apples, which are pleasant to taste, due to their low calorie content, will be indispensable for any diet. Eating them with the skin, due to the high content of fiber in it, has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestine. In addition, the titratable acid (0.6 mg) that is in their composition plays a significant role in the process of metabolism. And the presence of ascorbic acid (11.5 mg per 100 g of the product) will have a beneficial effect on the teeth, gums and immune system.
Where are they taking to Russia?
“Idared”, who came from America, cannot be called new. Developed in America in the 30s of the 20th century, it is still grown everywhere in Europe, from where it came to us through Ukraine in the second half of the last century. The “Idared” apples that Russians love, are found throughout Russia today, however, the Kuban, the North Caucasus, and the Volgograd region, where southern climatic conditions (or those close to them) contribute to this, are cultivating in industrial quantities. The freezing of newly appeared inflorescences is completely excluded.
There is a positive experience of growing apple trees in the Moscow region, where certain measures are required to be taken to prevent the young trees from freezing, especially seedlings. For example, careful shelter trunk for the winter. The north the region, the more difficult the cultivation.
Features of growing
As noted above, the south of the region, the easier it is to grow Idared variety apples. Assessing the climate of the region and the availability of free time (in the north-western regions of the country may need measures aimed at protecting the plant from frost), you can determine where to plant the seedling. Idared apples need a sunny, ventilated side where there is no draft. Soil should be loose, dry, not swampytherefore a drainage system will be required.
It is better to plant apple trees in spring, but, as a rule, nurseries offer the widest assortment in autumn. This is not a problem, since the sapling purchased in the fall will last well until spring, being in a dark basement, in a bucket with a liquid solution of clay and mullein. The main thing is to get a quality seedling. It is better to buy annual or biennial plants (the older the sapling, the more difficult it will take root). When buying, pay attention to the roots: in young plants, the root system does not have thick roots with knots, and the bark should be smooth, free of defects.
To drain the drainage system, it is better to prepare the hole for the seedling in the fall. It should be about a meter deep, and in width - from 0.5 to 0.8 m. If the soil is scarce, the dimensions of the pit increase so that you can install not only drainage, but also enrich it with black earth.
In order to avoid problems with growing apple trees, it is recommended to treat its root system before planting with a disinfectant and growth-stimulating solution (for example, “Root”).
In order for gusty winds not to break a newly planted sapling, it must be tied to a strong stick stuck in its hole. We tie it up not with a hard rope, but with some soft material in order to avoid damage to the bark.
So that the water from abundant watering does not flow, you need to make a hole near the barrel. After the plant is well rooted (one year after planting), you can think about the formation of a pyramidal tree, which will contribute to the direction of energy not on growth, but on yield. To do this, we cut the top of the trunk to a height of 1 m, branches can be cut to 20 centimeters.It is necessary to perform the procedure in early spring, long before the appearance of the kidneys. Forming a crown, it is necessary to thin it out so that future apples are not shaded in some places, but receive sunlight from all sides.
There is an opinion that “Idared” is not whimsical, but nevertheless, it is not necessary to neglect the rules of preparation for planting, since this is the key to rapid rooting and growth. The plant does not need frequent watering, but at the “engraftment” stage it is worth paying due attention to this. Water as necessary: in the hot summer or, if you notice that the tree is beginning to wither. It is important not to overflow, as the roots do not tolerate swampy soil. To determine its water balance, it is enough to loosen the ground slightly.
The plant does not need a top dressing, but at the time of flowering or apple formation it is possible to enrich the soil with special fertilizers that are available in stores today. In order to prevent diseases, it is recommended to produce the traditional tree sanitization in spring and autumn, removing dry branches, bark and bleaching the stem with lime (it is desirable to dissolve the copper sulfate powder in it destroying pests). With the advent of the first leaves it is recommended to spray the tree with pesticides that prevent the invasion of harmful insects.
Gardeners reviews
Reviews about the variety are ambiguous: some scold him for the required considerable amount of treatments and hassle associated with the onset of unexpected cold weather, while others, on the contrary, speak of ease and simplicity of care. The sweet-sour taste of apples is not to everyone's liking, but judging by the opinions of gardeners, no one is left without a crop. With regard to disease, then, according to most, the tree really has a good immunity. Difficulties may arise from soil damage or nearby affected plants, which may require prophylaxis or treatment.
In comparison with other varieties, "Idared" is characterized by:
- consistently high yield;
- endurance to high and low temperatures;
- long shelf life of apples and their low calorie.
If we talk about the shortcomings, the views of gardeners agree on one thing: poor resistance to frost below 20 degrees. Protracted rains can cause various fungal diseases.
The above disadvantages will require you to take certain measures to preserve the seedling or prevent disease. If the winter is too frosty, then it is desirable to wrap the tree trunk properly with a warm cotton wool. Little snowy winters will also require some warmth from you. In the rainy summer, it will be necessary to irrigate the tree with antifungal solutions more often.
But be that as it may, from natural disasters, firstly, no one is insured, and secondly, it is rather an exception than a rule. In this regard, if you are a novice gardener living in the central or southern strip of Russia, then it is quite possible to begin the experience of growing apples with an unpretentious variety “Aydared”.
In the next video, see the peculiarities of fruiting of the Idared apple variety.