Apple "Candy": description of the variety, planting and care

Apple tree is a culture that has become a regular of domestic gardens in the southern latitudes, and in a more severe climate.Such popularity of the plant has become an excellent motivator for breeders, thanks to which a large number of new varieties were born. Among this list it is worthwhile to single out the “Candy” apple tree, whose characteristics gave rise to its widespread cultivation.

In Russia, you can find many unique fruit crops that have no analogues in their characteristics. As a vivid example confirming a similar trend, the variety “Candy” should be noted. Even its name speaks of the unusual qualities of the fruit. The hybrid was born in one of the scientific laboratories in Michurinsk in the twentieth century. Maternal cultures, acting as parent plants, were made by two rather popular apple varieties - Korobovka and Papirovka.

At the state level, plant breeding began to be actively engaged after fifty years, however, the short shelf life of the fruit and, as a consequence, the inability to transport the harvested crop caused the culture to not be zoned. That is why the hybrid is not recommended for industrial cultivation.

The fruit variety is cultivated not only in Russia, an apple tree can be found in homestead plots and in the gardens of Belarus and Ukraine. As for the northern latitudes belonging to the regions of dangerous farming, due to the characteristics and frost resistance of the variety, the tree successfully grows and gives good yields in this part of the country. In some sources you can find a number of other names of the apple tree, for example, “Ranet summer”, gardeners quite often call the culture “Candy”.

Thanks to the work of breeders, not so long ago a more advanced variety of apple “Candy” was obtained, which received a similar name with the prefix “2”. The plant, in fact, is the same apple tree, but with some difference concerning the keeping quality of fruits and the difference in the height of the tree.

"Candy" refers to tall fruit crops, the peak of growth and development of trees falls on the first three years of the apple tree life. During this period, the plant can add at least one meter in growth for each season. Apple trees that are older than three years old are no longer actively growing, so the average height of the crown of an adult hybrid is about five meters.

However, the dimensions of the plant will directly depend on the stock on which the apple tree of this species is cultivated. Recently gardeners prefer to see miniature cultures in their gardens, therefore, “Candy” is cultivated on a dwarf rootstock. As a rule, the height of such apples is within two meters, as for the period of fruiting of dwarf trees, they enter this phase already at the age of two.

Experienced gardeners recommend with particular care to approach the issue of growing small apple trees, since the crops will be more demanding in terms of subsequent care after rooting in the garden. This is due to the peculiarities of the formation of the root system, which will also be small. As a result, the trees will necessarily need to be strengthened with a reliable support, to carry out regular watering and the introduction of fertilizing.

The variety “Candy” is characterized by a spreading crown, the branches of an apple tree develop at a minimum angle from the trunk upwards. Works on pruning are obligatory, since they determine the appearance of the culture and the formation of an oval-shaped crown. In addition, caring for an apple will avoid the development of branches too close to each other, since such a formation will cause some ailments.The beneficial effect of pruning on fruit weight and yield is noted.

Apple shoots are powerful and very flexible, due to which the tree can withstand a large amount of fruit without the risk of branch breakage. As a rule, the plant is distinguished by a large amount of green mass, foliage has a dark green color and a size greater than the average values.

The flowering of apple trees in spring occurs with white inflorescences with a slight pink shade. According to the fruit ripening period, “Candy” refers to summer fruit crops. But the climatic conditions in which the variety is grown can affect the harvest season. Typically, the period of such work falls in July or August.

Like most summer fruit crops, hybrid fruits are suitable for consumption at the stage of technical ripeness. This means that apples that have already developed to an average value in size and weight can be picked, without waiting until the skin of the fruit turns to the desired color. As practice shows, technically ripe apples of the “Candy” variety are already endowed with high taste characteristics, they are juicy and fragrant.

Apple varieties of this variety become ready for fruiting at the age of 4-5 years old, the hybrid is only partially self-pollinating, in light of which the pollinating plants growing nearby will be needed. As such apple trees, it is necessary to select varieties that will have similar flowering periods. According to more experienced gardeners, who have been growing a hybrid in their garden for several years, the beehives located near the crop will have a positive effect on crop yields.

The hybrid is remarkable for its yield. Usually with the right agricultural technology, “Candy” at the age of five pleases gardeners with a crop of at least fifty kilograms. Cultures whose age has already stepped over a ten-year mark make it possible to gather about 100 kilograms of apples from one tree.

A very important feature of the variety is winter hardiness, the apple tree retains its viability even at a temperature of -28 degrees, in addition, the plant quickly recovers after heavy frosts, blossoms and bears fruit. Among the properties of the culture can also be noted the plant immunity to a large number of ailments that affect fruit trees. However, scab infects a variety quite often, which is especially important when it is too humid and rainy summer. For the purpose of prophylaxis, the plants are treated with preparations containing copper.

The fruits of culture have a rounded shape, marked by their slight ribbing. Almost the entire crop ripens in size and appearance. The weight of one apple does not exceed 100 grams, however, fruits grown on a dwarf rootstock can weigh twice as much. The peel of apples is notable for a slight wax coating, besides, fruits are distinguished by their visual appeal. The main color is saturated yellow, with a large amount of sunlight on apples formed a bright crimson blush.

The taste of apples can be described as honey and candy, in the light of which the variety got its name. Pure sugar in fruit contains about 10%. Due to this composition, apples often act as a source of raw materials for the production of homemade wines or cider, jam and confitures. During the preparation of delicacies, sugar is added in minimal quantities or is not included at all in the composition of the product. As for the chemical composition, it is necessary to note the high content in the fruits of iron and vitamin C.

A positive feature of fruits is their reliable attachment to the branches, which excludes the carrion. Harvesting "Candy" is carried out using a special fruit tree or garden ladder. If you shake the fruit, the crop will not be stored completely.

For the objective characteristics of the culture, it is necessary to distinguish its positive and negative sides. The advantages of plants include the following properties:

• high organoleptic qualities of fruits;
• the presence of anthocyanins and antioxidants in apples;
• regular consumption of fruits charges the human body with energy due to the unique and balanced amount of trace elements and vitamins;
• fruits are recommended for introduction into the diet of baby food, because they are not a product that can cause an allergic reaction;
• the variety can act as a raw material for making beverages or canning;
• sturdy branches of culture perfectly withstand the load even from a large number of fruits;
• The apple tree is immune to many diseases;
• tree is a winter-hardy culture.

Among the minuses of the variety "Candy" you need to highlight the following nuances:

• apple seedlings in the first few years after rooting in the garden need shelter for the winter;
• the culture is susceptible to scab;
• the hybrid is self-infertile;
• adult plants bear fruit on a cyclical basis;
• The apple tree needs pruning and crown formation;
• "Candy" is not intended for cultivation for industrial purposes;
• fruits do not withstand long-term transportation and storage.

A feature of the culture is the need for landing on the site in a place with maximum access of light. Experienced gardeners recommend planting an apple tree in the east, so that the crop receives sunlight in the first half of the day.

Before planting, the soil on the site must be fed with fortified compounds, it should be light, and the acidity should be neutral. A week before the rooting of the seedling, it is necessary to dig up the soil and remove all weeds.

Based on the composition of the soil, you will need an additional introduction of certain useful components:

• for alumina, sand, humus and sawdust will need to be introduced into the soil;
• sandy soil is fertilized with peat, potassium and superphosphate;
• peatlands need lime, manure and superphosphate.

After the land is reclaimed, the landing hole is being prepared. The variety is planted in the garden in spring or autumn. The last option is the most acceptable for this apple tree.

The pit for the seedling should be up to one meter in diameter, the depth is about 50-60 centimeters. At the bottom of the hole, fertilizer is poured, which depends on the type of soil in the garden. The root neck of the apple tree should be located above ground level, its deepening into the ground will cause rotting of the culture roots. After planting, the apple tree is watered abundantly, usually about 2-3 buckets of water are used per seedling.

In the warm autumn months, young seedlings need to be watered no more than once every three days. It is useful to perform mulching wheel circle. An immature apple tree should be protected from sunburns and pests. To do this, the trunk should be wrapped with roofing sheets or rags, whitewash should be discarded.

As the long-term experience of cultivating the variety shows, the apple tree is rather unpretentious in terms of agricultural engineering. Care includes the following mandatory activities:

• pruning and crown formation;
• the introduction of fertilizers;
• protection from diseases and pests;
• loosening the soil;
• watering;
• mulching wheel circle.

Seasonal pruning is carried out in the spring before the flowering phase and after picking the fruit.In the summer months, the formation of the plant should be abandoned, because at this time the most active movement of juices in the tree falls.

Young seedlings are pruned immediately after rooting on the site. Two young buds are kept below, and the tip is removed. Saplings should cut thin shoots and leave stronger ones. Works need to be carried out only by sharp garden stock, so that the cuts and cuts can be restored as quickly as possible. Branches whose growth angle is directed inside the crown, branches that thicken the crown grow, intertwining with each other, are subject to removal. Sanitary pruning subject dry and damaged shoots. After pruning the apple tree, it is very important to treat the cut areas with garden pitch.

Timely and competent introduction of fertilizers will allow the apple tree to produce good fruit yields. The culture needs fertilizing with superphosphate, humus and ash once a year during the spring months before flowering. In the autumn, in order to maintain the culture, the soil is fertilized with phosphorus and potassium. Loosening will be an important step in care, as it will provide good air exchange in the soil. They dig up the soil before the arrival of frost.

Since the plant demonstrates immunity to most diseases, except scab, it is necessary to protect the culture from damage by this ailment. To do this, it is processed - spraying the apple Bordeaux liquid or copper oxychloride to the phase of blooming buds and immediately after it. A positive result in the treatment of the disease give compositions with systemic effects that can not be washed off with water.

In the spring, it is necessary to remove from the trunk of the culture all dead bark and lichens that form on the tree in winter.

Variety "Candy" is characterized by gardeners only from the positive side. The positive evaluation of the hybrid is due to the high organoleptic qualities of the fruits and simple agricultural engineering. In addition, the plant has winter hardiness, which makes it possible to cultivate an apple tree in northern latitudes and use healthy fruits even before the onset of autumn and straight from the tree.

In rare negative responses it is indicated that not all gardeners are willing to constantly carry out the preventive measures required by this variety. Also, apples are not stored for very long, and this is indicated in some reviews.

In the next video you are waiting for the rules of caring for an apple tree.