Apple tree Red Chief: varietal characteristics and cultivation features
Red Chief is an intensive commercial cultivar. It is a clone of such a famous variety as Red Delicious. It is appreciated for its high early maturity and long shelf life of fruits. This variety can also be used for dense planting.
The late winter apple tree Red Chief belongs to the annular type of fruit formation. When grown in gardens, it is best to use medium to low-growing rootstocks. The best pollinators for her are: Elstar and Gloucester.
Description of the variety
The description of the Red Chief apple variety is as follows:
- Compact crown.
- Average pace of development.
- Average indicators of winter hardiness.
- Late autumn ripening.
The fruits of the Red Chief are bright red in size, covered with a thick translucent waxy bloom. Their flesh is dense, juicy, light cream in color. They also have a characteristic sweet and sour taste and aroma.
According to reviews, the Red Chief apple tree produces fruits weighing up to 200 grams. Their spectacular photos can often be found on various specialized resources. Apples of this variety have high transportable characteristics. Their collection usually begins in the second half of September.
Choosing a place for planting a seedling
Further development and fruiting of the seedling largely depends on how correctly the planting site was chosen.
The most important thing to pay attention to is the level of occurrence of groundwater
If in spring it rises significantly and then does not fall for a long time, then the root system of the apple tree gradually begins to die. The first sign of this is a dry top at the root of the tree.
An increased level of mineral salts in groundwater is no less harmful to apple trees.
Also, the planting site for the seedling should be open and well-lit, it will be very good if it is protected from the influence of cold winds from the north side. Loams are traditionally considered the best soils for apple trees; on sandy loams, winter hardiness indicators are significantly reduced.
When laying out my orchard, I placed the seedlings in such a way that they were on the south side of the house and other buildings. This provided them with additional protection against late return frosts and significantly increased the level of winter hardiness.
When laying a garden, rows of seedlings are placed in the direction from south to north. It is with this arrangement that the optimal illumination mode is ensured.
Pest control
In the spring, it is very important to carry out timely processing of apple trees from pests. The first time the trees are sprayed until bud break
For this, various insecticides are used. Also, for greater reliability, glue belts are installed on the trunks. They reliably protect against various crawling insects.
After the end of flowering, at the time of fruit formation, a second spraying with insecticidal preparations is carried out. If you are late with this processing, then most of the apples will be damaged by the moth.
In no case should you spray the apple trees at the time of flowering. This will not only kill the pollinating insects, but also destroy a significant part of the ovary.
Description of the vesicle Lady in Red
The Lady in Red hybrid was included in the State Register in 2001. During this time, it took a leading position among the decorative varieties of culture. The plant is characterized by high frost resistance. Bubble plant is grown as an element of landscape design in the Middle and Central regions. This is a cultivar often found in the gardens of Siberia, the Urals, the Far East.The shrub is especially popular in the Moscow region. Drought resistance of the Lady in Red variety is average. For cultivation in hot climates, it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering.
Description of the bush of the viburnum bush Lady in Red:
- The culture grows in the form of a fan-shaped, strongly branched, but compact shrub, the maximum height of which ranges from 1-1.2 m.
- Leaves 3-5 lobed, slightly corrugated in the center with carved edges, alternate arrangement. The color in spring and summer is bright burgundy, by autumn it becomes red-brown.
- The flowers are light pink, collected in small globular inflorescences, scabbards. Flowering begins in summer and lasts until mid-August.
- Shoots are light brown with reddish tips.
- Fruits are dark red, do not crumble in winter.
Lady in Red has a strong immune system. With proper agricultural technology, it does not get sick, it is rarely affected by pests. Infection occurs only with the massive spread of insects in the area.
Description of the variety
Photo:
To understand why the Red Chief apple variety is so popular, and to decide whether to grow it on your site, just read the detailed description and reviews.
Red Chief apple trees are undersized - only up to 5-7 meters. Uniform growth of skeletal branches forms an oval or round-pyramidal compact crown.
On the shoots of a slightly curved or straight shape, a large number of fruit ringlets are formed. The branches themselves have a reddish-brown tint, are heavily pubescent. Leaves are small, oblong.
Important! Due to these characteristics, seedlings can be placed in dense rows on the site. The fruits of the Red Chief apple trees are large in size - the average weight ranges from 200 to 400 g
They look very beautiful, have a deep red color, and are slightly covered with a waxy semi-transparent coating. Shape - round, slightly elongated, with 5 characteristic hilly protuberances
The fruits of Red Chief apple trees are large in size - the average weight ranges from 200 to 400 g. They look very beautiful, have a deep red color, and are slightly covered with a waxy translucent bloom. The shape is round, slightly elongated, with 5 characteristic hilly protuberances.
The pulp is juicy, fragrant, light cream in color, high density. The taste of apples is very sweet and according to the tasting scale it is estimated at 4.8 points, which, in principle, is the maximum indicator.
Important! The chemical composition of the fruits of Red Chief apple trees includes a large amount of sugars, an insignificant part of acids, and a high content of vitamin C, P-active substances, for which they are valuable from the point of view of the consumer
Fruiting
Apple Red Chief is a fast growing variety. The first harvest can be obtained as early as 2-3 years after planting. The volume of the harvest is strongly influenced by the weather conditions of the growing region and adherence to agricultural practices.
Important! During periods of severe drought in summer or winter frost, productivity may decline. Under the same conditions, it is extremely rare, but still there may be a frequency of fruiting.
For high productivity of these fruit trees, care must be taken to plant suitable pollinating varieties nearby.
The best for the Red Chief look are:
Important! Under favorable conditions, apple trees bloom in early to mid-May.
Ripening terms
Red Chief is a winter variety whose fruit ripens in late September - early October. Often, the harvest is harvested throughout the month and up to frost.
Yield
In the first couple of years, the volumes are unlikely to exceed 30 kg from one tree, but as they grow older, fruiting in the amount of 120-150 or more kilograms from one tree is quite possible.
Important! The transportability of the Red Chief fruit is very good.There is also a long storage period for the crop - if all conditions are maintained in the room, then the fruits remain suitable for consumption and not damaged until March-April
Collection and storage:
When harvesting, it is important to immediately sort the fruits, removing all damaged and crushed fruits.
It is better to pick apples in dry weather.
When storing, select suitable containers - wooden containers are perfect. Additionally, you can wrap each apple with paper or sprinkle wood chips between the rows.
The room should be darkened, with a temperature of about 5-7 C.
Suitable region and climate
Winter hardiness is quite high, but this variety is still recommended for planting in the southern and central regions with a temperate climate.
With the practice of growing in northern regions with constant spring frosts and thaws, as well as very low temperatures in winter, freezing can be observed. High-quality autumn preparation of trees - pruning, creating a shelter will help prevent this.
Description of the variety and history of creation
The Ashram variety, bred by German breeders in 1998, belongs to the group of hybrid tea. The name of this rose is directly related to its color, which has the meaning of holiness in India. In ancient times, in this eastern country "ashrams" were called the abodes of hermits and sages, who were traditionally ordered to wear robes of yellow-orange shades.
Rose Flower Ashram
Ashram bushes rarely grow more than 70 cm in height. They have strong, dense straight stems, leaves are large, slightly elongated, rich green color. The buds are lush, with tight-fitting petals. When blooming, the flowers can reach 9-16 cm in diameter, thanks to the bending petals, they acquire the effect of lace.
Color tea hybrid rose Ashram can range from peach orange to coppery brick shades with all possible undertones, approaching pink by the time it fades. Flowers can be single or collected in inflorescences of 3-5 pieces, which do not fade for a long time in the cut. The aroma is delicate and light.
The advantages of the variety include:
- excellent decorative qualities;
- relative unpretentiousness and frost resistance;
- flowering duration;
- re-bloom with proper care.
Additional Information! As for the disadvantages, they include the fear of rain and waterlogging, not too high resistance to fungal diseases.
Rose Ashram fits harmoniously into any landscape style. Its bloom will favorably emphasize the emerald green lawn or contrasting colors of other perennials. It goes well with decorative conifers and cereals as part of mixborders. Suitable for decorating flower beds and hedges.
Ashram in landscape design
Care
Red maple seedlings require some maintenance. Every spring, a young tree needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers. Be sure to add: superphosphate (35-50 g), urea (40 g) and potassium salt (20-25 g). In the summer season, the land around the seedling must be carefully loosened and a complex fertilizer must be added (110 mg of Fertika).
Although maple tolerates dry soil well, a young tree is watered whenever possible every half month. Used when watering about 17 liters of warm water. In the spring, the land where the maple grows needs to be mulched with peat.
Winter is a dangerous time for the maple tree, which is just starting to grow. The first thing to do is to cover the tree with spruce or pine branches under the root.
This precaution will preserve the seedling if the winter is too cold or there is little snow. Then you should wrap the stem (trunk from the ground to the first branch of the crown) with a dense cloth, without pulling the twine at the same time
Frozen shoots must be removed.
4 years after planting, when the plant gets stronger, fertilizers are applied every 2 years.Fortified maple does not require any special care: even decorative species get along well in wild forests. What can we say about a cozy garden, where there is an attentive owner who protects the tree from various adversities.
Growing in the suburbs
Planting Japanese kerria in open soil, as well as caring for it when cultivated in mid-latitudes, should be the same as in warmer regions. But do not forget that when growing a shrub in the Moscow region or the Leningrad region, he needs to provide a good shelter for the winter. The plant should be covered from the middle to the end of the autumn period, choosing a dry day for this. The stems must be bent to the surface of the soil, and lay them on a pre-laid foam. They should be fixed in this position, then they are covered with dried leaves or covered with spruce branches. A fixing frame should be made above the bush, which will prevent the branches from straightening. The shelter must be chosen so that it is well ventilated, otherwise the stems and branches under it will begin to rot.
With the onset of spring, you should choose a dry but cloudy day and gradually remove the shelter. First you need to remove the frame, and then remove the foliage. Experienced gardeners advise, on a sunny day, to protect the bush from the scorching direct rays of the sun with a covering material. The fact is that the stems can get severe burns, which can lead to the death of the shrub. Of course, the burnt stems can always be removed, however, after the appearance of young shoots, the splendor of the flowering is significantly reduced, and in some cases the kerria does not bloom at all.
The best varieties of late ripening strawberries
Late varieties are good because in the fall, when the main strawberries have already departed, you can still put a plate of fragrant berries on your table. However, in compotes and jams, for which the cooking season comes, this berry will come in handy.
Pegasus
A variety with a fairly high yield, up to 1.5 kg per bush. Berries weigh up to 20 g, cone-shaped, bright red. Their flesh is dense, firm, sweet and sour taste. The bush is sprawling and strong, the flower stalks grow straight, as a result, the berry does not tilt to the ground.
Resistant to disease, but can be affected by powdery mildew. The variety is not too frost-resistant, therefore, it must be covered for the winter. Requires good watering, after which loosening of the soil is necessary.
United Kingdom
Late variety, conical berries, color - dark cherry, weigh up to 120 g. Productivity is quite high - up to 2 kg per bush, with good care and more. The pulp is dense, the taste is sweet and sour.
The bush is powerful, the root system is highly developed. Resistant to frost and disease.
Malvina
The variety was bred by German breeders. Fruiting already in the second half of June. Productivity, in comparison with previous varieties, is not so high: up to 800 g per plant. However, the berries are large, weighing up to 35 g. Their flesh is dense, juicy, and has a sweet taste.
Bushes are wide, growing up to 50 cm in height. It does not react to high humidity: it does not become watery, does not rot and does not lose its taste. Resistant to both powdery mildew and verticillium, but may be susceptible to brown spot and gray mold. Of the pests, the plant is susceptible to weevils and thrips.
Bohemia
Among the late varieties, this one is quite young. However, due to its high and stable yield, it has become popular. The bushes are powerful, the berries are large. The variety is resistant to disease.
Maturation occurs in mid-June. The berries weigh about 50 g. Up to 1.5 kg of berries can be removed from one bush.
Princess Diana
Ripening begins in mid-June, berries weigh from 70 to 80 g. The yield can reach 2 kg per bush.
Sprawling bush, few leaves. The berries are wedge-shaped, slightly elongated. The color of the fruit is red. The variety is resistant to many diseases and pests, but is afraid of cold weather.
Charlotte
Maturation occurs at the end of June. Berries weigh up to 25 g. The yield is about a kilogram per bush.The fruits are red, heart-shaped. The pulp is juicy, has a characteristic taste and aroma of strawberries. However, for the best taste, the berries must be fully ripe.
The variety is resistant to diseases and pests.
Lord
The variety is large-fruited, but their weight depends on proper care. As a result, you can get berries weighing up to 100 g. Fruits are cone-shaped, the bushes are large and can grow up to 50 cm in height. The taste of the berries is sweet and sour.
Reproduction occurs by rosettes. It differs in that it can be grown in one place for up to 10 years.
Not too demanding when grown. It is frost-resistant, but if there are winter temperatures below -30 ° C in the region, it is necessary to cover for the winter. The variety is resistant to diseases.
Features of planting and care
Landing
Timing
The seedling can be planted in the spring and autumn. The best time for planting in spring is the end of April, in autumn they are planted one month before the first frost.
Technology
In order for the apple tree to take root well and have a high yield, the planting site should be as illuminated as possible and protected from northern winds.
Having chosen a site for planting, they dig a hole 60 cm deep and 70 cm wide. Drainage from dry branches, humus from leaves and peat are added to the depression.
Then, after sprinkling fertilizers with a small amount of soil, set the seedling so that the roots are distributed in different directions. Then the seedling is covered with earth and watered with 2 buckets of water.
Watch a video about planting an apple tree in spring:
And a video about the autumn planting:
Distance
The fruit crop has a compact crown, which allows planting a large number of apple trees in one area. The distance between plants when planting is taken into account in 1.5 mx 4 m.
Growing
The Red Chief variety tolerates frost and drought moderately. For good development of the tree, the apple tree should be watered in a timely manner, at least twice a month.
Red Chief should be watered at least twice a month.
After each watering, the trunk circle must be loosened and weeds removed, which will contribute to better oxygenation of the root system.
In order to avoid freezing of the apple tree in winter, in the fall, the trunk circle is mulched with humus and the tree is wrapped with covering material.
Watch a video on how you can prepare apple trees for winter:
Agrotechnics
The peculiarities of cultivation include not only care, but also agricultural technology. In the first year of planting, in the summer, the first foliar feeding with nitrogen fertilizers is carried out.
In subsequent years, the apple tree is fed according to the following scheme:
- Before the first fruiting, phosphorus - potassium fertilizers are applied to the trunk circle;
- At the first flowering, the apple tree is fed with a solution of superphosphate, potassium sulfate and urea;
- Fruiting apple trees are fertilized 4 times a season with urea and mineral fertilizers.
Important! Top dressing is applied at a distance of 50 cm from the trunk.
Pruning and shaping the crown
After planting the seedling, the first pruning is carried out, shortening the central conductor by 15 cm, leaving no more than 5 buds on the trunk for the development of skeletal branches.
In the second year, they begin to form the crown so that the shoots do not grow against each other and are not higher than the lower shoots. In the future, in order to avoid thickening of the crown, pruning of weak skeletal branches is carried out.
Formation of the apple tree over the years.
Watch a video tutorial on forming an apple tree:
3> Varieties of pollinators
Apple variety Red Chief is a self-fertile crop. For fruit ovaries, it is advisable to plant pollinator varieties in the same area with the apple tree, such as:
- Elstar;
- Gloucester;
- Golden Delicious.
Elstar.
Gloucester.
Golden Delicious.
Preparing and planting the Red Chief apple tree
Before planting seedlings, the gardener must find a suitable site and prepare a pit on it for planting. The further growth and fruiting of the tree depends on the characteristics of the site and the starting growing conditions.
Site selection and soil preparation
The development of an apple tree and its yield largely depends on the place of planting.When deciding where to plant a Red Chief seedling, take into account the following requirements for the site:
- Good illumination. In order for the fruits to acquire a bright color during the ripening period, sunlight must fall on them.
- No drafts and protection from the north wind.
- Exclusion of stagnant water - you can not plant seedlings in depressions and hollows.
- The optimal soil type is loam. On sandy loam soils, the variety decreases frost resistance.
- Low water table. The proximity of water provokes decay of the roots - the seedlings may die.
For planting, take seedlings on medium- or low-growing rootstocks. Then the trees are planted according to the scheme - 4x1.5 m.
Soil preparation:
- Autumn. Closer to autumn, the soil is cleared of agricultural residues and dug up. Digging is not postponed for long - it is better to do it in late summer or early autumn. All weeds emerging after digging are removed. Digging depth is the level of the fertile layer.
- Spring. In the spring, the soil is loosened. Due to loosening, the soil crust formed during the winter is destroyed, and moisture evaporation from the soil is also prevented.
It is believed that digging before planting seedlings is optional, but this agrotechnical technique has serious advantages:
- the soil accumulates moisture and nutrients;
pest larvae move closer to the surface and freeze out in winter; the fertile layer is leveled over the entire surface.
Further, soil preparation is carried out taking into account its type:
- Clay. Dig up the soil half a meter. Its composition is improved with humus, sawdust, river sand, rotted manure, peat or compost, lime. Then mineral fertilizers are applied - complex (100-150 g) or superphosphate (70 g), as well as potash fertilizers (50 g).
- Sandy. A year before planting the seedlings, the soil is dug up - no more than half a meter. Clay, compost, manure, peat, humus, lime, potassium and superphosphate are introduced.
Terms and requirements
You can plant seedlings in spring and autumn. It is recommended to do this:
- in the end of April;
- in mid-September or early October.
Choosing autumn for planting seedlings, it is necessary to take into account the risks associated with frost. The trees are planted so that there is at least a month between the day of planting and probable frost. This time is necessary for high-quality rooting of seedlings.
When choosing the time of planting, they also take into account the specific climatic features of the region. So, for example, in the suburbs, spring planting is preferable.
Step-by-step planting recommendations
The procedure for planting seedlings:
- Landing scheme - 4x1.5 m.
- The depth of the pit is 60 cm, the width is 70 cm.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pit - dry branches. Peat and humus are poured on top.
- Sprinkle organic fertilizers with soil, put the seedling on a mound, straightening the roots. They fill the hole with soil, and water the seedling with two buckets of water.
