What time is Antonovka removed? Antonovka vulgaris: description of the variety, tips for growing apple trees

The Antonovka apple variety is zoned for middle zone and Siberia, combines productivity with ease of care. This is one of the most popular varieties of apples among domestic gardeners, which allows you to get good harvest. Today, several varieties of this variety are known, which differ in taste characteristics, the beginning of fruiting, yield indicators and agricultural technology features.

History of appearance

Antonovka characterized by rapid growth and by three to five years it reaches a height of 2-2.5 meters. The gardener can receive the first fruits by the fifth or sixth year after planting, and the apple tree usually reaches its maximum fruiting rates in the tenth year of life.

Antonovka is a late autumn variety, harvesting occurs in September and early October. This unpretentious and high-yielding variety , which comes into fruiting late. About 200 kilograms of delicious apples can be harvested from ten-year-old trees. Until the age of twenty, the yield is stable, but subsequently there may be pronounced seasonality.

Such advantages of Antonovka include the following:

• Easy to care for.
• Excellent yield.
• Resistance to cold, disease and insect pests.
• The harvested crop has a delicate taste.

Among the shortcomings, gardeners note only late onset of fruiting, and the summer resident will receive his first harvest no earlier than six to seven years after planting the seedlings. IN northern regions required additional insulation for the winter and intensive feeding in the spring.

The gardener needs Harvest the entire crop before the first frost. Subsequently, the collected apples will be able to ripen directly during storage. The full ripening of Antonovka can be determined by the appearance of a yellowish tint on the peel.

Antonovka's shelf life is 3-4 months. Collateral long-term storage there will be apples providing fruit with appropriate conditions. The harvested crop must be stored in a cool, dark room with temperatures of 10-15 degrees. Humidity indicator - no more than 70%.

Antonovka and numerous hybrids based on this variety are distinguished by excellent productivity, ease of care, and the harvested crop has an excellent delicate taste. Due to the ease of caring for apples of this variety, they can be recommended to beginning gardeners.

By providing the plantings with high-quality cross-pollination, regular watering, fertilization and other simple care, will be available at personal plot magnificent harvest.

The summer resident only needs to remember about the mandatory presence in the immediate vicinity of fruit tree other pollinating varieties, which will be the key to obtaining tasty and healthy fruits in your garden plot.

A rich harvest of apples will delight any gardener. But at the same time, with joy, the question arises: how can all this wealth be kept fresh until spring? Which varieties are best stored, how to determine their degree of ripeness, what methods of laying apples exist - read about all this in our article.

Every gardener knows that growing a crop is only half the battle; you also need to be able to preserve it. Experienced gardeners have mastered the wisdom of “apple longevity” long ago; they have experimentally developed the maximum effective ways storing apples to preserve their benefits, aroma and freshness.

Choice the right varieties, harvesting according to all rules, proper sorting, stacking, optimal temperature and humidity are the main components of long-term storage.

Choosing the right varieties

Whether apples will be stored for a long time without deteriorating in taste depends on their variety. Varieties have such a concept as keeping quality, that is, the ability to retain nutritional and nutritional properties for a certain, fairly long time.

Late (winter) varieties of apples, which are harvested starting in mid-October, are characterized by excellent keeping quality. Today the most famous and popular are the following winter varieties:

1. Aurora- a variety resistant to low temperatures and fungal diseases. The fruits are large, o round shape with a diffuse, wide blush, they are distinguished by their pronounced aroma and juiciness. Harvesting begins in early October. This variety keeps well until spring, even in the refrigerator.
2. Jonathan- one of the most famous winter varieties. The fruits are small and different pleasant aroma and wine-sweet taste, subject to optimal conditions storage does not lose nutritional quality until mid-May.
3. Golden Delicious- American variety, medium-sized fruits, golden in color, juicy, valued for their excellent taste and aroma. Apples of this variety ripen by the end of September and are stored well until mid-April.
4. Calville snowy- Ukrainian variety of folk selection. The fruits are medium-sized, greenish-white. It stores well in the basement, without losing its taste and aroma until mid-April.
5. Renet Simirenko- most common late variety Russian selection. The fruits are large, round in shape, have a pronounced aroma and sweet and sour taste. Apples of this variety are favorable conditions can be stored until summer.
6. King David- American late variety, characterized by high yield. The medium-sized fruits have a flat-round shape, a dark red blush covers almost their entire surface. This apple variety has a spicy aroma, juiciness and excellent taste.

It is very difficult to describe all the variety of varieties in one article. You can find out more information by consulting with specialists involved in growing apples in your region.

How to properly harvest

You should carefully prepare for picking apples: select tools, clean containers and storage, plan the order of work. In this case, it is very important to determine whether the apples are ripe - under-ripe and over-ripe ones will not lie.

Defining maturity

You can determine when it’s time to remove apples from the branch visually, by looking at the carrion. If among the fallen fruits tasty large apples with characteristic varietal characteristics have already appeared, then the rest are ready for picking.

Ideal maturity can also be determined by the following criteria:

• press on the apple, if the dent disappears, the harvest is not yet ripe;
• if the peel bursts when pressed, the apples are considered overripe and are not suitable for storage;
• Ideal full maturity is indicated by non-leveling, sagging skin.

Maturity can be determined “scientifically”, using a special chemical method. To do this, dissolve 4 grams of potassium iodide and 1 gram of iodine in a liter of distilled water. The apple is cut in half and dipped into the solution. Maturity in this case is defined as follows:

• if after two minutes the edges and middle of the apple turn blue, it means there is a lot of starch in it, which indicates immaturity;
• if blue is observed at the edges and yellow towards the middle, the maturity is ideal;
• the presence of only yellow color means the apple is overripe.

Experienced gardeners believe that it is better for the apples to be unripe than to be overripe and begin to rot.

Correctly picking apples from trees

To harvest winter apples, choose a warm, clear, dry day. It is better to do this in the afternoon, when the air is warm enough and the fruits are perfectly dry.

The fruits are picked very carefully so as not to damage them. Take the apple with all fingers, pressing the stalk with the index finger where it is attached to the fruit branch, and slightly lift the fruit up. Do not unscrew, break off or pull the apple down. In fruits intended for long-term storage, it is under no circumstances necessary to tear off the stem; this significantly reduces the keeping quality of the crop.

When harvesting winter apples, you should not wipe off the matte film, the so-called natural waxy coating, from them. Picked apples should not be thrown away; they must be carefully placed in a container prepared in advance.

Sorting apples

Immediately after harvesting, it should be kept in a cool room for 15-20 days, after which it should be sorted - during this time all signs of possible defects will appear. After this, it is necessary to sort through the apples, selecting for storage fruits with stalks without wormholes or mechanical damage.

Apples different varieties It is recommended to store them in different containers; you should also sort them by size - small, medium and large. After this, the crop is stored for storage using one or more of the methods listed below.

Storing apples

It is better to allocate a separate pantry or cellar for apples. The fact is that these fruits emit a lot of ethylene during storage - a gas that promotes the rapid ripening of other vegetables. An increased ethylene content in the cellar causes root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets, celery) to sprout rapidly and spoil faster. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended to store apples together with these vegetables.

Before planting apples, the room should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The walls are whitened with a solution of freshly slaked lime and copper sulfate in proportion: 10 liters of water, 150 g of vitriol, 1.5 kg of lime. The floors are sprayed with a solution iron sulfate(450-500 g) per 10 liters of water.

Late apples, depending on the variety and temperature and humidity indicators, can retain their nutritional value for 4-7 months. Ideal conditions for storage in this case the following are considered: air temperature from 0 to +3...4 degrees, relative humidity at 85-90%. If the humidity is lower, the apples will wilt quickly.

For winter storage Any container is suitable, the main requirements for which are cleanliness and strength. These can be wicker baskets, wooden, cardboard or plastic boxes, which should be thoroughly cleaned before use.

You can store apples in winter in various ways.

Easy installation

The apples are laid with the stalks up in one, two or three layers, without shifting anything. You can stack a lot of apples in this way, but this method is considered the most “short-lived”; the stacks should be checked regularly to prevent possible areas of rotting from spreading.

Wrapping in paper

Each individual apple is wrapped in paper napkins or plain white paper and placed in a prepared container with the stems facing up. If all the fruits are healthy, then apples can be stored in this way for quite a long time.

Interlayering (overspilling)

Most the best way winter storage. The best material in this case there will be well washed and dried sand with the addition of ash in a ratio of 1:10. Sand and ash are poured onto the bottom of the prepared container in a layer of 3-4 centimeters, then the apples are laid out so that they do not touch each other. Cover it with sand again. This way you can lay 3-4 layers.

Instead of sand and ash, you can use other materials: sawdust, leaves or shavings of trees (not coniferous), onion peel, sunflower husk, peat or moss.

Storage in the ground

If there is no cellar on your personal plot, you can store your apple harvest in the ground. To do this, dig a trench 50-60 cm deep and 30-40 cm wide in advance. The bottom of the trench is covered with coniferous spruce branches or juniper branches - this will protect the bookmark from rodents. Apples are packed in plastic bags of 4-5 kg ​​each and placed on the bottom, then covered with earth on top. To protect against severe frosts, you can sprinkle dry leaves on top.

Treatment with carbon dioxide or ultraviolet light

The apple harvest is perfectly stored in the cellar in plastic bags, into which water is pumped through a small hole using a siphon to carbonate carbon dioxide. The hole is then quickly sealed.

Some summer residents treat apples laid in one layer with a bactericidal ultraviolet lamp within 30-40 minutes. The lamp is hung at a distance of 1.5 meters, the apples are turned over once for uniform processing. This method allows you to destroy most harmful fungi and bacteria that cause the development of rot.

By storing your apple harvest, you can enjoy the fragrant apples all winter long. healthy fruit and be sure that your body will not be harmed by the chemicals that are often present in fruits sold in supermarkets in winter.

Preface

Even experienced gardener With extensive experience in growing fruit trees, it is not always possible to accurately determine when to collect apples for storage, since each variety has its own characteristics. And there are no uniform criteria for determining the optimal degree of their maturity, and much depends on the natural and weather conditions of the area. Therefore, when collecting apples intended for storage, you can only approximately determine the most suitable moment for this, which is determined by a number of general characteristics.

Long-term storage - how to choose the “right” apples

Not all apples are suitable for storage, especially long-term storage. This depends largely, of course, on the degree of maturity of the fruit, which is discussed in the next chapter, and, first of all, on the apple tree varieties themselves.

Summer apple varieties are not suitable for storage

And they, as you know, are divided into 3 types, the names of which are brief descriptions, including assessment of suitability for storage, are as follows:

• Summer varieties. Most apples are fully ripe in August. Then it is possible to eat already ripe fruits. Apples of these varieties are not suitable for storage. Their huge harvest always processed by all known methods.
• Autumn. The period of full ripening occurs in September. Suitable for storage, but not for long - 2-3 months. Moreover, only those fruits that are harvested slightly unripe will be stored. They will acquire taste and aroma as they sit. From mid-winter, stored apples usually begin to spoil.
• Winter. The ripening period occurs in October, but due to lower temperatures and shorter daylight hours, the fruits may not have time to ripen. They will remain excessively hard and sour, making them unsuitable for consumption, but they can be stored well. After two months of storage, they acquire the aroma and taste characteristic of the variety. If so, then they may even last until next summer. In the southern regions, where they ripen earlier and completely, when these varieties need to be stored, they are collected very unripe, so that they are still hard and sour.

As can be seen from the above description, only late varieties of apples are suitable for storage: autumn and winter. And they all gather in the fall. Some of the most popular and most widely grown fall and winter varieties are listed below. A short description will also be attached to them.

So, late varieties of apples are harvested in September-October. And in general, the main thing when collecting them is to have time to remove all the fruits before the onset of frost, and no later than 30 days before the arrival of stable frosts. Delay in harvesting can seriously harm the tree. Him:

• frost resistance will decrease;
• the activity of spring development and growth will decrease;
• the frequency of fruiting will increase.

At the same time, late varieties should be collected immature. Only then will they last long. And the harvested fruits will reach consumer maturity after a few weeks or 2–3 months of storage. Ripe and especially overripe apples will not last long and will rot. But those that are very unripe will also be of little use. They will lie for a long time, but will not gain color, aroma, juiciness and taste, and even begin to wrinkle.

Late varieties should be harvested unripe

Obviously, timely harvesting of apples of autumn and winter varieties is the key not only to their long-term storage, but also to proper ripening, during which the fruit’s flesh becomes juicy and loose, color appears, and aroma and taste are acquired. Therefore, in order to correctly determine when fruits intended for storage are guided by the following indicators of fruits:

• age - you need to know at least approximately how much time has passed since the beginning of flowering, and take into account the air temperature for the entire given period;
• size;
• coloring (base and cover);
• seed color;
• pulp density;
• starch content in the pulp.

However, according to these criteria, only a specialist can determine the collection time. All amateur gardeners will need to take into account the following features to determine when the fruits are ripe:

• most of the apples on the tree have acquired the color characteristic of their variety;
• they are already well separated from their stalks;
• the seeds have acquired a characteristic brown color;
• At the same time, the fruits are still sour and hard.

In addition, if in windless, calm weather there is a small number of fallen fruits under the apple tree that have no visible signs of disease or damage, this is also an additional signal that it is time to start harvesting. We also recommend that you carefully study the descriptions of the apples that are grown on the site. For all varieties they indicate the time and period of ripening, and for many they also indicate the color when removed from the tree for storage.

Having determined the collection date, you still need to correctly select the appropriate day for it. It should not be rainy and warm, since apples should be removed from the tree dry, otherwise the risk of their premature rotting increases significantly.

Glory to the winners (Glory to the Peremozhets). It is considered a late summer variety. However, it is in the southern regions that its fruits ripen in the summer: for example, in the Kuban - in the first half of August, and to the north - only at the end of August. Even further north, in the Oryol region and areas similar in climate, this variety ripens only in early September. That's why they consider it autumn there. In the Oryol region, fruits can be stored until December and longer, and in the indicated southern regions - 2 weeks. It begins to bear fruit from the 4th–5th year of cultivation, and later in the north. Moreover, in the first years this variety bears fruit regularly (annually), and then – at regular intervals. Productivity is high or average, depending on the area of ​​growth.

The fruits are round and oblong-round in shape or somewhat slightly conical in the upper part, beautiful, smooth or with a barely noticeable one edge, medium and large. The pulp has an excellent sour-sweet taste, white with a slight creamy tint, tender, aromatic, very juicy. The main color of the fruit at the time of picking should be light greenish, but with a continuous, blurred, elegant red blush that covers the entire apple. Prematurely harvested fruits will not have this blush. Gardeners usually do not attach importance to this, as they are in a hurry to harvest (apples quickly overripe).

Cinnamon Striped. Early autumn variety, bears fruit from 8–9 years, yield is moderate. The fruits are turnip-shaped, highly flattened, of average or below average size. The pulp of apples is yellowish in color, often slightly pinkish under the skin, dense but tender, with a pleasant sour-sweet dessert taste and the aroma and spice of cinnamon. In the conditions of the Oryol region, the usual collection period is the 3rd ten days of August, and in the north - the beginning of September. The main color of the fruit at the time of harvest should be greenish. Turns yellow during storage. For fruits collected and stored on sunny side there is an integumentary coloration - a reddish, faint blush and sharply defined dark red specks and stripes over the entire surface. Apples can be stored for 2–3 months.

Early autumn variety

Zhigulevskoe. This is a late-autumn variety; it begins to bear fruit in 5–6 years. It is famous for its high yield, which will be annual at a young age and then periodic. In old apple trees it is sharply periodic. The fruits are round and flat-rounded, sometimes with wide ribs, but one-dimensional and large in size, with an average weight of up to 160–200 g (maximum up to 350 g). The pulp of the fruit is cream-colored, tender, coarse-grained, with a pleasant sour-sweet taste that everyone likes. The main color of the apples is yellowish, and the top color is a high-intensity, diffuse red-striped blush, which is sometimes spread over almost the entire surface of the apple. The collection period is in the first ten days of September, and if it was a dry, hot summer - at the end of August. Ripen in storage by the 3rd decade of September. They are stored for 70–90 days.

Antonovka vulgare. Belongs to early winter varieties. Bears fruit from 7–8 years of cultivation. The abundance of fruiting is regular - every year. Fruits are round, slightly flattened and flattened-round (many slightly conical), medium or higher average size weighing 100–200 g. The pulp is juicy, white with a yellowish tint, sweet and sour.

Antonovka vulgare

The usual collection period is from mid-September to the first ten days of October. The color of the fruit at the time of harvest should be greenish-yellow. Turns yellow during storage. Neither harvested nor stored apples have an integumentary blush, or it is blurred and occupies a smaller part of the surface of the fruit. The shelf life of apples is up to 90 days. If treated with antioxidants, then 1 month longer. The fruits ripen after about a month of storage. Ripe apples emit a very strong, unusually attractive aroma. .

Jonathan (Winter red, Oslamovskoe, Khoroshavka winter). Late winter variety. Fruits from 5 years. Productivity is high. The fruits are round-conical or rounded, slightly flattened, of medium or above-average size, weighing 100–150 g. The pulp is greenish-white at harvest. After ripening it becomes creamy, aromatic, very juicy, but dense, with an excellent dessert taste. The main color of apples is greenish-yellow, on top of which there is a cover - almost over the entire surface there is an intense blurred or striped blush, the color of which is dark red. The usual harvest time is mid-September. Storage duration is until April-May.

Bogatyr. Winter variety. It begins to bear fruit at 6–7 years of age. Fruiting is annual and abundant. The fruits are flattened-round, medium and large. The pulp is dense, white, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The usual collection period is from mid-September to the first ten days of October. The storage duration reaches 257 days. The color of the fruits when picked should be light green. Turns yellow during storage. Apples collected and stored on the sunny side have a blurred blush of bright red color with noticeable stripes and streaks.

Golden Delicious. Winter variety. It begins to bear fruit at 2–3 years of age. Moreover, in the first years this variety bears fruit regularly, and then - depending on the weather, cultivation technology and care. Productivity is high. The fruits are turned, round-conical, medium-sized and slightly larger (in Kuban they weigh 140–170 g).

The usual collection period is the end of September. The color of the fruits when picked should be golden-light green. Turns yellow during storage. Fruits collected and stored sometimes have a blurry reddish blush on the sunny side. When harvested, the pulp should be greenish, dense, sweet and very juicy. During storage, the pulp becomes creamy or light yellow, more tender and spicy, and acquires a dessert taste. Apples are stored until April, and in rooms with too low humidity they wilt, almost without losing their juiciness.

When to Harvest Apples

With the arrival of autumn, the issue of harvesting becomes acute. It is not always possible for a gardener, especially an inexperienced beginner, to accurately determine when the apples are ripe. It is assumed that the autumn harvest of apples is stored. But not all apples are suitable for storage. Overripe ones will not lie down. Unripe ones do not contain sufficient quantity sugars

I have several varieties with for different periods ripeness. With summer varieties, everything is quite simple, since usually these apples are eaten right away, and what is not processed goes into processing. But with the autumn harvest, you need to be a little more courteous so that the apples are preserved as long as possible and have excellent taste.

How do you know when it's time to pick apples from a branch?

I determine this by eye and by carrion. If beautiful, large apples have already appeared among the fallen apples, then they are ready for picking.

You can additionally check for other signs:

1. You need to press on the apple. The dent has disappeared - the apple is not ready for picking.
2. When pressed, the skin burst- the harvest is overripe. Make jam before it's too late!
3. Sagging, not leveling the skin indicates the apple is fully ripe. Feel free to start harvesting.

4. External signs And taste qualities - the size of the fruit is medium, without wormholes, with a brightly colored skin: red, yellow-scarlet, yellow-green. The fruits should be juicy, with a sweet and sour taste. The exception is varieties with a sweet taste. Bones ripe apple Brown.

The pulp is bright: white or cream, soft.

5. The most scientific, chemical method determining fruit maturity. Take 1 liter of distilled water and dissolve 4 g of potassium iodide and 1 g of iodine in it. Cut the apple into 2 parts and lower it into the solution.

• If after 2 minutes the apple turns blue around the edges and in the middle, this indicates a large amount of starch, which is abundant in an unripe apple.
• The edges are blue, and yellow towards the middle indicates good ripeness of the apples.
• The absence of blue and the presence of only yellow color indicates that the apple is overripe.

There are also special kits for determining the chemical maturity of fruits. The contents of the kit are diluted with water and applied to the cut of an apple, after which the result is compared with the pictures in the table included in the kit.

By own experience I can say that it is better for the apples to be somewhat unripe than for them to be overripe and begin to rot.

When should you start picking apples?

How well you determine the ripeness of apples determines how long they will be stored. According to the ripening period, apples are divided into three groups.

Summer varieties
Collecting begins in the second half of August. The fruits already contain a sufficient amount of sugars, but they only last about a month. Therefore, they are more often used for processing and consumption as a vitamin-containing fruit.

Autumn varieties
They begin to collect from the end of August - beginning of September. The shelf life of such apples reaches 4 months. We usually prepare Orlik; these unusual, delicious apples are stored for about 3 months. But the pulp becomes loose over time.

Winter varieties
Everyone knows Antonovka and white filling. Winter varieties are the most shelf-stable. You need to start collecting from the end of September - mid-October. If harvested correctly, they will last until spring (February - March).

Winter apples that are ready to pick are not necessarily ready to eat immediately after being picked from the tree. They must rest, accumulate sugar, and only then do they become tasty. So, for example, Antonovka with a yellowish skin color and bright flesh is ready to be picked, but the person who tastes the apple will grimace - it’s sour! But in winter, the same Antonovka extracted from the basement is finger-licking! The longer these apples sit, the tastier they become.

How to harvest apples?

First you need to choose a clear, warm, dry day, preferably the afternoon. This is especially true for winter varieties that are harvested in late autumn; the air has time to warm up, and the apples must be completely dry.
Summer and autumn varieties can be harvested after rain, but allow the fruits to dry before harvesting.

I always start harvesting from the lower branches, gradually moving to the top. I take the apples carefully, picking them in such a way as not to damage them. Sick, damaged and wormy ones are not suitable for storage. And I try not to use carrion for storage.

Do not tear off the stem of apples intended for storage, this will affect the keeping quality. You need to handle the harvest carefully and carefully. Twisting, tearing and breaking apples from branches will not bring anything good in the future.

On the south side, apples ripen a little earlier, so we start there, and the next day or a couple of days later we harvest from the north side.

How to store apple harvest?

Our family pays special attention to storing apples. Special attention. Even autumn varieties last a little longer if you follow simple, but such useful rules. So, let's prepare the storage space.

It is best to store the crop in wooden boxes. First I treat them with a solution of potassium permanganate, and then dry them well in the sun for several days. Next, I cover the bottom of the boxes with newspapers or thick paper. Do not keep apples in the sun and outdoors. Harvest store immediately.

The air in my basement is very humid, so around the apples I place containers with fluffy lime, which helps absorb excess moisture. I am not a fan of the idea of ​​sprinkling lime on the fruit itself. Therefore, as you wish.

If the air, on the contrary, is too dry, place containers with sand and water it; as the sand dries, the air will be moistened. Remember that storage is affected by temperature regime. Storage temperature should not be higher than +2-5 °C. Freezing is also unacceptable.

There is an opinion that apples should be placed in boxes one at a time. I think this makes sense for summer apples. Winter ones can be poured into boxes by carefully lowering the collection container to the level of the already poured apples, then they will roll out smoothly and evenly, without damage. Don't squeeze the apples in their " winter apartment", let them feel some freedom in the box.

Of course, some fruits may rot or dry out during storage. Remove such apples immediately so that others will not be bothered!

How to pick apples?

Manual method
With all the development of technology and new trends in gardening, the most The best way harvest - manual method. Apples must be collected carefully, carefully placing them in boxes so that the apples do not break or get injured.

Using various devices
Today, the market offers many devices for collecting apples: a loop, a basket on a long stick, or a bag on the same stick, into which apples fall even from the very top branches.

Gardeners with a large harvest stretch the netting to collect fruit so that the apples do not break or come into contact with the soil.

This is especially convenient because at the beginning of summer it can serve as a good covering material.

Apple processing devices

This year we are fully prepared for the harvest. We purchased a juicer a couple of years ago, but had no luck with the juicer. This year we found a fruit dryer and a juicer that not only met all our criteria, but also helped us produce high-quality raw materials.

And here comes the “beast machine”!

Drying result:

We have already eaten our fill of summer apples, we have prepared fall apples for future use and are waiting for the winter reserves to be removed from the branches! How are your apples doing? Don't miss collection time!

Antonovka is still considered a truly Russian apple variety, carefully cultivated by amateur gardeners. This unpretentious tree can survive both treacherous frosts and dry summer heat, continuing to delight with the sweetness of its fruits for more than one season. And, despite the abundance of varieties of imported apples, many remain faithful to Antonovka.

History of the variety's creation

Many opinions have been expressed regarding the origin of the Antonovka apple tree variety, based on the assumptions and evidence of pomologists from different times.

Why is the variety called that? It is believed that its name fruit tree received from a gardener named Anton, who crossed a wild apple tree with some cultivated variety.

Pre-revolutionary fruit growers consider Antonovka the birthplace of Kursk province with her favorable natural conditions for variety formation. Other varieties with a similar name come from crossing Antonovka with other species.

Therefore it is still impossible to give precise definition, how many varieties of apple trees actually exist that can rightfully be called Antonovka. However, there is an opinion that this variety of apples gained its popularity only thanks to a large number varieties from new, recently bred varieties. Such species may differ from the true form of the fruit, or, conversely, the true Antonovka will be called by a completely different name.

Features of the structure of a tree as it grows

Antonovka trees belong to the species of vigorous types of trees and can grow quite large in size - up to 5-6 m in height. Description: the crown has oval shape, with the lifespan of the tree it is able to increase and change its shape to round.

The main branches usually point upward, but after several years they begin to bush and grow to the sides. This happens with the beginning of fruiting.

The bark on the branches and young shoots is brown. The leaves are oblong, bright green with jagged edges. The inflorescences are large, white with a subtle pale pink tint.

Young apple tree of the Antonovka variety with fruits

Description of the apple tree variety Antonovka

Taste and decorative features of the fruit

Calorie content of fruits

"Antonovsky" apples have a bright taste and unique aroma. They contain vitamin C, pectin and other bioactive components that are so necessary for humans. The low percentage of sugar is an undeniable factor that distinguishes Antonovka from other varieties, and indicates a low proportion of calories and the benefits of the fruit.

Calorie table for Antonovka apples per 100 g

Benefits of fruits

Fruits grown in early winter plantings are able to remain fresh longer and at the same time become sweeter and juicier. Juices, compotes, jams, jams, marshmallows and other dishes are often prepared from varieties of such apples.

Antonovka apples have beneficial properties for the human body:

• due to the high iron content, they help maintain hemoglobin at the required level and prevent the development of anemia;
• improve kidney function and normalize fluid levels in the body;
• reduce the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases;
• thanks to pectin, they regulate the amount of cholesterol and glucose in the blood;
• strengthen nervous system and immunity;
• Apple infusion is useful for the prevention of varicose veins;
• A paste of fresh Antonovka apples treats frostbite, burns and cracks.

Other Features

Due to their low sugar content, soaked and baked apples can be consumed by people with diabetes. And thanks to the content of natural antioxidants, Antonovka fruits are widely used as prophylactic during the period of active spread of viruses and infections.

Features of Antonovka fruits

Baked apples of the Antonovka variety can be consumed by people suffering from diabetes. Juices, jams, marmalade and other dishes are often prepared from apples of the Antonovka variety. Antonovka contains vitamin C, pectin and other bioactive components, necessary for a person The calorie content of 100 g of Antonovka apples is 44 kcal

Advantages and disadvantages of the Antonovka variety

Winter hardiness

The undoubted advantage of this variety is its resistance to high and low temperatures. Also worth noting good growth and fruiting on lands with poorer conditions for gardening under conditions proper care. It is noted that Antonovka is less fruitful if the soil is too moist or if it has been in arid conditions for a long time.

Diseases and resistance to them

Antonovka is generally considered an unpretentious variety, resistant to various types of diseases, but it is worth considering that with high rates infectious diseases agricultural lands or being damaged by pests, there is a risk of a disease such as scab.

Harvest quantity

Gradually, the yield of trees increases and by the age of 20, up to 200 kg of apples are harvested from one tree. But if initially the harvest is regular, then trees that have bloomed for several years bring harvest only periodically. Another feature of the variety is the duration of storage depending on the growing area.

The fruits, which are collected from trees in the northern regions, have a shelf life of up to 4 months, and their taste only improves. Winter varieties of apples grown in the south have a short shelf life and spoil much faster.

Productivity of Antonovka

Rules for planting seedlings

When to plant?

Antonovka can be planted both in spring and autumn. In most regions of Russia, the planting deadline is October 20. A plant planted later may not have time to take root. In the spring optimal time The time for planting is at the end of April.

When planting seedlings in spring, the soil must be prepared in advance, preferably from October. In loose soil winter period The temperature difference will help fight weeds by killing their seeds.

Which soil is preferable?

To plant a seedling, prepare a hole 80x100 cm. Having loosened the soil in it, you need to leave the hole in this condition for a couple of weeks. This sequence of actions is created so that the young shoot takes root better in the hole and begins to bear fruit earlier.

The bottom of the hole is immediately lined with turf when planting, compacted well and watered. Soil mixed with manure, humus, peat and compost is poured on top. Also added here mineral fertilizers. This layer is lined by 10-20 cm and is considered the middle one.

Distance between seedlings when planting

In order for the seedlings to begin to grow faster and bear fruit, a distance of at least 1 m from each other in diameter is maintained between them when planting.

The seedling is placed in the hole, covered with earth and tied to a peg. All leaves on the shoot must be plucked off to increase the flow nutrients right to the root. After the shoot is planted in the ground, it can be watered.

Care rules depending on the season and month

Trimming

Trees are pruned in the spring 3 weeks before the growing season begins. Broken, dry branches and wild shoots are removed, and the crown itself is thinned out.

Top dressing

In order for Antonovka’s fruiting to be sufficiently active, it must be fertilized at least 4 times a year.

The first feeding with urea is carried out even before flowering begins. 50-100 g will be enough for a young tree, and 500-600 g for an adult. Fertilizer is scattered in the projection of the crown. The second time the tree crown is fertilized when the first flowers appear, using 200 g of potassium sulfate, 200 g of superphosphate, 5 liters of slurry and 100 g of urea. The third fertilizing in the form of 100 g of nitroammophoska is applied when the fruits ripen. The last feeding is needed after the fruits have been harvested. 300 g of potassium sulfate and superphosphate will be enough.

Pest protection

To avoid diseases and premature spoilage of fruits, it is necessary to treat with special preparations that help in the fight against insects that harm the growth and proper development of trees.

When spraying trees before flowering, about 90% of the main pests usually die. During this period, it is most advisable to use a 0.1% solution of karbofos or a 0.1% solution of rovikurt among poisons. During the period of swelling of the buds and green cone, spraying with 3% Bordeaux mixture is also carried out.

During the period when two-thirds of the petals of the Antonovka apple tree fall off, they should be treated against diseases. To do this, use 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.4% copper oxychloride. It is better to spray with pesticides before sunset and even at night (if there is no dew).

The best pollinators for the Antonovka variety

Since Antonovka does not pollinate itself, you should take care of its pollinators in advance. The best of them are: Anise, White filling, Striefel, Pepin saffron and Welsey.

Photo gallery of the best pollinators

Striefel - very popular variety in Russia
The Welsey variety is distinguished by high yield and good winter hardiness Pepin saffron - an excellent Winter variety selected by I. V. Michurina
White filling - very famous variety for all amateur gardeners Anise is a winter apple variety. Perfect for pollinating Antonovka

Other Features

After heavy and prolonged rainfall an important condition is the saturation of the soil with oxygen. To carry out aeration, you can use metal rods or forks, making punctures in the soil up to a depth of approximately 30 cm.

Antonovka − unpretentious variety, but still requires attention and care. Only with proper and timely care can a good harvest be achieved. During the period of active fruit ripening, it is necessary to maintain sufficient soil moisture. In hot weather and severe drought, one generous watering per week is sufficient.

Autumn apple tree care

Rules for harvesting and storing crops

When does Antonovka begin to bear fruit? Deadlines

The first fruit harvest can be harvested in an average of 3–5 years, depending on planting conditions. On vigorous rootstocks - after 7 years, and on dwarf rootstocks - after 2 years after planting.

Fruit ripening. When can you harvest and harvest?

Antonovka is a late variety, so the tree is harvested in September-October. But it is important to have time to collect the fruits before the first frost and let them ripen in a cool place. For better and longer preservation of the crop, it must be harvested correctly. It is best to do this manually, carefully detaching the fruit from the branch. It is undesirable to shake the apple tree, since fallen apples begin to quickly deteriorate at the point where they hit the ground. Baskets, wooden boxes or plastic buckets are usually used for collection.

How to preserve collected apples in winter?

After harvesting, the fruits must be sorted, separating healthy ones from spoiled ones. A favorable place for storing Antonovka is mostly wooden boxes, on the bottom and between the rows of fruits of which you need to line paper.

If it is not possible to store apples in wooden boxes, there is another common storage method - in plastic bags. To do this, you need to place a piece of cotton wool the size of Walnut, having previously moistened it in alcohol or vinegar. After the bag is tied, small holes should be made in it with a match to improve gas exchange.

Once packaged, the apples are stored in cool rooms that are regularly ventilated and maintained at the required temperature, which is about 0 degrees.

Other Important Rules

For long-term storage of apples winter time important aspect is the preservation of the primary apple plaque on the surface. All manipulations should be done in such a way as not to touch the fruits with bare hands, carefully pouring them from one container to another.

Apples should not be stored together with other vegetables or fruits due to the appearance of a starchy taste and loss of their basic taste.

Varieties of varieties and their characteristics + photos

Ordinary

The founder of the variety is considered to be Antonovka vulgaris, from which a considerable number of different varieties. The fruits are medium and small in size and have a bright yellow hue with a characteristic sour taste and an incomparable aroma. It is believed that the quality and duration of storage of Antonovka will be better if additional turf is laid between the seedlings.

The fruits of apples of the Antonovka vulgaris variety have a bright yellow hue.

Dessert

This variety is not as frost-resistant as Antonovka vulgaris and is more susceptible to scab. The fruits of dessert Antonovka are large and shaped like ordinary ones. The color is green with a pink tint. The pulp is juicy with a sweet and sour taste.

Apples of the Antonovka dessert variety are green with a pink tint

Golden

Zolotaya Antonovka tolerates it quite well low temperatures and resistant to scab. It bears fruit well and is considered a variety that ripens earlier than others. It begins to bloom early, and the golden harvest will be ripe by the end of summer. The only drawback is that it begins to bear fruit late, 6-7 years after planting. The fruits are juicy, soft, round in shape and have a sweeter taste, unlike Antonovka vulgaris.

Apple variety Antonovka golden

It tolerates frost well and is resistant to scab. The fruits of the china are yellow in color and taste reminiscent of Antonovka vulgare. Harvesting occurs at the end of October, and storage is possible for up to two months.

Fruits of the Antonovka-Chinese apple variety

Another name for this variety is Snezhok. The fruits of the Daughter when ripe have a whitish skin with white juicy pulp and a tart aroma, more pronounced than that of the ordinary Antonovka. Trees of this species grow large and spreading, bearing fruit in 6-7 years. Ripening occurs in early September. After ripening, the apples do not fall off due to their tight retention on the stalk, which is an advantage of this variety. It is worth considering that the skin of the variety is very thin, and therefore requires careful handling during harvesting and other manipulations.

The ripe fruits of the apple variety Daughter Antonovka have a whitish skin.

Fruiting of trees begins 7-8 years after planting. When ripe by the end of September, the fruits continue to firmly adhere to the branches. They have a sweet and sour taste, yellow skin color and a characteristic Antonovka aroma. The variety is well resistant to frost, but is more susceptible to scab. Shelf life depends on climate and growing conditions.

Apples of the Novaya Antonovka variety

On dwarf rootstock 62396

This is a variety of Antonovka vulgaris, the trees of which were grown in special nurseries on weak-growing dwarf rootstocks (cuttings). Such trees have a smaller crown and do not exceed 2.5 m in height. An obvious advantage is the early onset of fruiting (2-3 years) and larger fruits.

Apples of the Antonovka variety on a dwarf rootstock

It differs from ordinary Antonovka in its high sugar content, so it is completely unsuitable for storage.

Apple fruits of the Antonovka sweet variety are unsuitable for long-term storage

A vigorous tree, resistant to frost, scab and fruit rot. Gives high yields. It has fruits of regular round shape and tolerates long-term storage. Ripening occurs at the end of October.

The fruits of apples of the Antonovka-Kamenichka variety have a regular round shape

Another name for the variety is Antonovka one and a half pound. tree with large fruits, the weight of which reaches 600 g. The pound is resistant to winter cold and diseases. It begins to bear fruit at the same time as the ordinary Antonovka - after 6-8 years. The fruits ripen at the beginning of September.

Fruits of apples of the Antonovka pound variety large size, their weight reaches 600 g

Other varieties

It got its name due to the crossing of the common Antonovka and the White filling. This variety has powerful tree trunks and produces a good harvest, but, unlike the ordinary Antonovka, it tolerates winter worse. The fruits have a sour taste and are poorly stored, but they look very presentable.

Apples of the White Antonovka variety

The variety has a yellow color and an oblong fruit shape. Trees of this variety are resistant to winter and are distinguished by early flowering. The fruits ripen in mid-August and begin to fall heavily as they grow large.

Variety Golden Monk

It has this name because on the surface of the fruit you can see a color resembling rust. The variety of these apples is of no interest to either gardeners or buyers. But, despite their unremarkable appearance, the fruits can be stored for a long time due to the density of their pulp. In addition, they are less susceptible to scab and rot than other species.

The surface of the Rzhavaya Antonovka apple variety resembles rust

Antonovka is a widespread and popular variety that is loved both by consumers for its unsurpassed taste and by gardeners who value it for its dozens of selectively bred, but no less tasty and aromatic varieties. Despite the declared unpretentiousness, it is worth considering that, like other crops, Antonovka apple tree varieties require mandatory compliance with the rules for planting and further care for trees not only during the growth process, but also after the start of fruiting.