Semerenko apple variety - description, benefits, planting and cultivation

What type does it belong to?

The variety "Simirenko" comes from the domestic apple tree (Malus domestica) and belongs to the varietal group "Renet" . Being obtained naturally, this variety is a late winter variety . Experts rightly consider “Renet Simirenko” to be the best variety in terms of nutritional and agrotechnical properties among apple trees with green fruit skin.

“Simirenko” apples are winter apples and are stored until June or even September when grown in orchards with meadows (dense herbaceous vegetation).

The longest shelf life (about a year) is achieved through the use of properly equipped storage, boxes and cellars with a temperature of 0 to 4 °C or a refrigerator.

Winter varieties also include Molodezhny, Oryol Polesie, Berkutovsky, Bratchud and Vityaz.

Average prices for fruits and seedlings

The cost of one seedling can vary significantly depending on the age of the tree, its condition, type of root system, supplier brand and place of sale. For example, the average price of a one-year-old seedling is 200 rubles. But a two-year-old tree can be bought from 270 rubles per piece. up to 900 rubles.

Next in ascending order:

• age 3 years – price 1750 rubles;
• age 4 years – price 6500 rubles;
• age 5 years – price 10,900 rubles;
• age 8 years – price 14,900 rubles.

The cost of 1 kg of apples depends on the volume of purchase, the region of delivery and the quality of the product. The Renet Simirenko variety can be purchased wholesale for an average of 45 rubles per 1 kg.

Pollination

Being a self-sterile variety, “Renet Simirenko” needs close proximity to pollinating apple trees of the varieties “Idared”, “Pamyat Sergeevu”, “Korey”, “Kuban Spur” or “Golden Delicious”.

The Simirenko apple tree is partially self-pollinating, producing about 11% of all fruits.

When to harvest, how to store it properly?

The Renet Simirenko variety is highly valued for its long storage period. To maximize this period, it is necessary to properly harvest the crop and store it.

Key points to note:

1. Collect fruits only in dry weather. If apples are wet, they cannot be stored.
2. Before planting, the harvest must be dried in a dry room or under a canopy for 2 weeks.
3. The apples must be sorted. Larger ones store less well, so they should be set aside for priority use. Also, damaged fruits or carrion are not suitable for laying.
4. Prepare the storage room in advance. A dark cellar or basement is suitable. The air temperature in it should be no more than 0°C...+5°C.

Apples should not be stored in the same room as vegetables (cabbage, potatoes).

It is recommended to place the fruits in wooden boxes, sprinkling the layers with shavings or rye straw. You can stack no more than 3 layers in one box.

It is important that the fruits do not touch . The boxes can be stacked one on top of the other by placing 4 cm thick bars between them.

Description of the variety Renet Simirenko

Trees of the "Simirenko" variety grow very tall , tall, above average in size and are distinguished by a lush, spreading crown.
Autumn Joy, Shtrifel, Aprilskaya, Bogatyr and Fragrant are also distinguished by their tallness.

On dark gray branches with a brownish or red tint, there are elongated curved leaves of light green color with jagged edges, forming a rounded crown.

This apple tree blooms with medium-sized white flowers quite late, and harvest occurs in mid-autumn. Fruiting is mixed, that is, on various fruit formations, such as spears, ringlets and fruit twigs.

When pruning, be careful not to remove fruiting branches. Otherwise, the volume of the future harvest will be significantly reduced.

Renet Simirenko apples are distinguished by their light or bright green color with white tarnish and light dots on the skin, touched with a gentle blush in sunny summers. also natural for the variety to have small warts on the skin up to 7 mm in size and often 2-3 on the fruit - this is a special feature of the variety .

The fruits of the apple tree hold tightly to the branches, waiting for a long time to be harvested.

The size of the apples is medium or even large, weight up to 200 g , and the shape varies from round-conical to flat round. The surface of the fruit is smooth and even, and they are also characterized by asymmetricity. Very fragrant Simirenko apples have a delicate sweet and sour taste with a spicy tint.

Doctors especially recommend this variety, which does not contain anthocyanins, to people with metabolic disorders and for dietary nutrition.

Characteristics of the variety

1. The time when the Renet Simirenko apple tree enters the fruiting period can be called average. This period is extended or shortened by different types of rootstock. On vigorous-growing seedlings, the first harvest will appear in 6–7 years, but if the cutting is grafted onto the semi-dwarf type MM-106, this will allow you to taste apples almost 2 times earlier, that is, in 3–4 years.
2. The variety belongs to winter. Fruit harvesting begins around the end of September and can last several weeks. The short stalk holds the apple firmly on the branch, so the variety is not prone to shedding.
3. Yield indicators are excellent. Young apple trees at the age of 7–8 years bear 15 kg of fruit, but already a 10-year-old tree can give a gardener a 100-kg harvest.
4. With regard to the stability of fruiting, the Renet Simirenko apple tree does not show enviable constancy, but this applies only to mature trees. Proper pruning combined with the introduction of the required amount of nutrients will help correct the situation.
5. Renet Simirenko is not a very winter-hardy variety. Even in the southern regions, the tree may suffer due to temperature changes. But it should be noted that the variety has good ability to recover due to good shoot growth. After 2–3 years, the crown of the frozen tree is completely restored.
6. Shoot formation is increased, the crown needs thinning pruning.
7. A clear advantage of the variety is its excellent drought resistance. It is this ability that allows it to be grown in steppe arid areas. In addition, high wind resistance can be noted.
8. Among the shortcomings, poor resistance to the most common stone fruit disease, scab, has been noted. In addition to it, apple tree leaves are often affected by powdery mildew.
9. The self-sterility of the variety is, of course, a weak point, but it can be corrected by planting suitable pollinators nearby. The following varieties will help the apple tree increase the yield and quality of fruits: Pamyat Sergeevu, Idared, Golden Delicious.

Idared is one of the varieties that helps Renet Simirenko increase the yield and quality of fruits

Table: advantages and disadvantages

What are the benefits of Simirenko apples, who should not get carried away with them

The fact that Renet Simirenko’s apples provide the bodies of adults and children with useful substances in winter is an obvious fact. Apples contain vitamins A, C, E, H, K and PP, as well as minerals - iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, iodine and magnesium.

Apple fruits strengthen bone tissue and tooth enamel, help maintain normal blood pressure, have a positive effect on digestive processes, and support the functioning of the thyroid gland. The low calorie content of apples (only 37 kcal) makes this fruit useful for people struggling with excess weight.

But, despite the beneficial properties, people with duodenal ulcers, gastritis and diabetics should limit their consumption of apples or completely abandon them. Having an allergy or thinning tooth enamel is also a reason to use this product with caution.

Apples of the Renet Simirenko variety are very healthy fruits

History of selection

"Renet Simirenko" spread, first appearing in Platonov Khutor in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine . The owner of the garden, L.P. Simirenko, accidentally discovered this variety and was very puzzled.

It is still unclear whether the tree grew from an unknown seed or belonged to old forgotten varieties. Subsequently, “Simirenko” was actively cultivated and spread throughout the world.

conclusions

1. Semerenko is a popular fruit variety grown mainly in warm regions.
2. The apple trees of this type are low - up to 3 meters, and have a large crown that is prone to growth. Plants are not resistant to frost and suffer from scab and powdery mildew.
3. The main advantage of the variety is apples, which can reach a weight of 200 grams. They have a pleasant sweet and sour taste and are rich in vitamins and minerals. They have good shelf life - they can be stored for up to 8 months.
4. Apple trees are planted in the summer months. For this variety, acidic soils are chosen, in which groundwater passes as close to the surface as possible.
5. Caring for trees comes down to watering, fertilizing, whitening poles, and regular pruning.

Distribution region

The apple variety Renet Simirenko is recommended for cultivation in the south of Russia, in the Central Black Earth Zone, Kuban and Ukraine. The Renet Simirenko apple tree develops and bears fruit best in steppe or forest-steppe zones, where a warm climate and soil rich in nutrients create all the conditions for this.

In the central part of Russia, a gardener may encounter difficulties - this variety is not winter-hardy and sometimes freezes even in the south . Warm shelter and careful care will help solve the problem.

If you need a winter-hardy variety, pay attention to Veteran, Winter Beauty, Moscow Late, Oryol Polesie

Apple tree care basics

Gardeners consider the Renet Simirenko variety to be unpretentious. The tree grows well in different soils, provided that basic care rules are followed.

Watering

The Renet Simirenko apple tree needs to be watered frequently for the first 5 years after planting .
In the first year you will need to pour 10-15 liters per tree 2 times a week. If the weather is dry, the number of waterings will have to be increased to 3 times a week. In the future, it is necessary to water the apple tree 6-10 times per season (taking into account weather conditions).

When the tree reaches the age of 5 years, 4 waterings per season are enough - before flowering, after flowering, at the time of fruit ripening, in the fall after harvesting. Watering should be stopped 1 month before the start of harvest.

Feeding

Nutrition should begin to be added 3-4 years after planting . Add humus or compost in the spring (April-May) for digging at the rate of 7 kg per 1 sq. m area. Frequency – once every 3 years. At the same time, it is necessary to add urea or nitroammophoska (35 g/1 sq. m).

When fruit formation occurs, potassium is needed. A solution of potassium monophosphate (15 g/1 sq. m) is suitable. Water the tree with the solution twice with an interval of 14 days. In September you need to add superphosphate and potassium (wood ash).

Trimming

The most popular crown shape for the Renet Simirenko variety is cupped. It promotes uniform lighting and provides good ventilation. Formation should begin a year after planting .

To do this, leave 3-4 shoots directed in different directions. For subsequent trimmings, proceed to the formation of the second tier. The crown also requires annual spring thinning, removal of intersecting shoots and those growing inward. In the fall, you need to remove broken, damaged and dry branches.

When pruning, you should carefully remove branches so as not to cut out shoots with fruit formations.

Preparing for winter

The low winter hardiness of the variety requires sheltering the tree. You need to mulch the roots with a layer of 15 cm. Humus, compost, and peat will do. Young trees will need to additionally whiten and tie their trunks.

Productivity

“Simirenko” is a medium-early variety. The tree produces its first harvest only in the 6th year of life . If you use a low-growing rootstock for grafting, you can expect a harvest in the 4th year. Young trees bear fruit annually, while older trees bear fruit in smaller quantities or once every 2 years.

At first, each apple tree bears 12-15 kg of fruit, and at the age of 10 years - about 100 kg per year . As a rule, the harvest is harvested in late September or early October.

The following varieties also demonstrate good productivity: Bryansky, Orlovim, Marina, Antonovka and Aport.

Reviews of the Semerenko apple tree

Gardeners have a very good attitude towards the Semerenko apple tree, and this is explained by its qualities and ease of cultivation.

Photo of a girl with green apples

• Ksenia Nazarova

  : “My grandmother also had a Semerenko apple tree at her dacha, when I grew up and bought my own plot, I decided to plant it too. This is a very easy to care for variety. The tree is beautiful, rich in foliage, the harvest will decorate any garden. And the apples have such a rich taste, with a delicate sweetness - children really like it!”

• Stanislav Tikhonov

  : “The Semerenko apple tree variety is simply irreplaceable for preservation. Apples are delicious fresh, but in jars they’re just finger licking good! I always leave part of the harvest fresh for the winter - it can be stored in the basement without any problems. If some apples start to spoil, I use them for food, but this rarely happens.”

• Margarita Zimina

  : “The yield of Semerenko’s apples is even too good. I sell most of the fruits. A smaller portion is spent on food, winter storage, and even canning! I like that the variety performs well in storage - it doesn’t rot or spoil, the taste only improves over time.”

Planting and care

It is recommended to plant an apple tree in the fall, when there is still a whole month left before frost (from September 20 to October 15), or in early spring (in the last ten days of April).

If in the fall the gardener is late with planting until October 20, it is better to bury the apple tree in the ground and plant it in the spring. In a garden on a personal plot, the optimal planting scheme is as follows: 0.8-1 m by 2.5 m.

To properly plant the Renet Simirenko apple tree, it is important to adhere to the following scheme:

1. We dig a hole (preferably 7 days before planting), the depth of which is 60 cm and the diameter is 1 m. The top fertile layer of soil is useful for filling the hole - we fold it to one side separately from the bottom.
2. in advance to support the tree . We burn its lower end so that the wooden peg does not rot.
3. Preparing the ground . Clay soil with the addition of river sand and peat is the best option. But if sandy soil is used, add humus or peat to it.
4. We loosen the bottom of the hole with a shovel and fill it with the previously deposited soil, supplemented with humus, in a layer about 20 cm thick.
5. If desired, add fertilizer - 1 or 2 buckets of wood ash and manure humus.
6. We fill the remaining space of the pit with fertile soil or specially prepared soil. A mound about 20 cm high should form.

Attention - if you neglect to properly fill the hole, you will have to replant a poorly rooted seedling and risk its safety.

1. We drive a peg into the center of the mound.
2. An assistant holds the seedling over the hole, the roots of the tree are straightened into the shape of a mound.
3. We fill the roots on top with fertile soil and lightly compact it. The root collar (the place where the trunk meets the root system) should be located above the ground. If it is buried, the seedling will die.
4. We water the tree - 3 or 4 buckets with a volume of 10 liters each.
5. We mulch the ground around the trunk with sawdust.
6. We tie the seedling to the peg using a figure-of-eight knot.
7. In the future, you need to carefully follow all the rules for caring for the apple tree.

Important - the quality and abundance of the harvest directly depend on careful care and compliance with all conditions.

1. Watering .
   It is necessary to regularly water an apple tree that is not yet bearing fruit, without allowing the soil to dry out - about 3 times per season, 3-5 buckets per tree. Lack of moisture will affect the growth of shoots, and, therefore, the future harvest. Starting at the end of July, watering stops so that the apple tree prepares for winter. The norms for the number of buckets for fruit-bearing trees are the same, but watering should be done at the following stages: during flowering, before the formation of ovaries in June, 2 or 3 weeks before the apples are fully ripened. If groundwater is close to the groundwater level, irrigation rates are adjusted.
2. Feeding .
   In the spring, before the beginning of the growing season, the apple tree is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. In autumn it is necessary to fertilize the tree with manure and a mineral complex. The apple tree should be fed with ammonium nitrate in a superficial way. Phosphorus fertilizers are applied into earthen grooves about 30 cm deep around the trunk.
3. Trimming . In young apple trees, only shoots that are at least 60 cm long should be pruned. This will allow you to preserve the annual growth, on which most of the fruits are set.

Too thick crown and branches frozen over the winter require regular and timely thinning.

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4. Wintering. The Simirenko apple tree tolerates drought and heat well, does not suffer from strong winds and does not drop fruit. However, she does not like the winter cold and does not tolerate frosts well, which damage the trunk and branches even in the south.
   Therefore, the tree needs to cover the roots and mulch the tree trunk in the fall. Peat, compost or humus will serve as mulch. Thanks to the rapid growth of shoots, the crown damaged by the cold is quickly restored.

   Also, young trees need to be tied around their trunks . With age, the bark will thicken and hares will no longer be afraid of them. Another good way to protect the trunk is whitewashing with lime or chalk.

Diseases and pests

Given the tree's low resistance to scab and powdery mildew, prevention of these diseases is the main way to ensure healthy tree development. But if the disease manifests itself, the gardener’s actions must be quick, otherwise the weakened plant will be colonized by pests.

Table: prevention and control measures for diseases and pests

Why doesn't the apple tree bear fruit?

Fruiting may not begin at the expected time or may suddenly stop.

young tree

Perhaps the tree is too young. Depending on the scion, the first fruiting begins from 3 to 8 years of age. Due to errors during planting or problems at the plant adaptation stage, this period may increase.

Doesn't bloom

Lack of flowering can be a symptom of disease, the presence of parasitic insects, root injury, or poor soil.

Blooms but does not set fruit

The first flowering of apple trees is “idle”. Also, the ovary can be destroyed by late frosts that strike after the start of flowering. In other cases, this indicates that pollination did not occur in due time. This happens due to gardener mistakes or weather conditions.

It bloomed, ovaries formed, but quickly fell off

The ovaries have fallen.

Complete falling off of the ovaries indicates that the tree has frozen in winter or is diseased. If there is an anthill on the site, the cause may be an aphid attack.

Mature tree does not bear fruit

Old apple trees of this variety often switch to periodic fruiting.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other variety, Semerenko has its pros and cons. You should definitely familiarize yourself with them before planting cuttings.

Advantages:

• Good yield
• Early fruiting
• Drought resistance
• The fruits sit firmly on the branches and do not fall off from gusts of wind
• Apples last a long time

Flaws:

• Low resistance to frost, which does not allow growing apple trees in the north
• Sensitivity to scab and powdery mildew
• A dense crown requires frequent pruning
• Low self-pollination and self-fertility
• Breaks in fruiting in old trees

The disadvantages will not be so significant if you properly care for the apple tree. For example, in the northern regions, the crown is covered for the winter, and the roots are protected with mulch. Timely treatment with fungicides will prevent diseases. Unstable yields in old age are fully compensated by the abundant fruiting of young trees.

Varieties and options

The appearance of the apple tree, yield and life expectancy depend not only on the variety, but also on the rootstock. Semerenko can be grafted onto several varieties:

• Vigorous or clonal. Height is about 7 m, lives more than 50 years, begins to bear fruit at 6-7 years. Suitable for areas with high groundwater levels.
• Semi-dwarf. It grows 4-5.5 m, lives up to 40 years, the first fruits are received at 4-5 years.
• Dwarf. Height – 2.5-3 meters, life expectancy – 25-30 years. The apple tree begins to produce a harvest already in 2-3 years.
• Columnar. It grows up to 2.5-3 m, has a narrow columnar crown, which allows trees to be planted close to each other. It bears fruit already from the second year. Lives 15-20 years, but high productivity lasts up to 10-12 years.

Apple trees on a vigorous rootstock are best planted in small garden plots. They produce the most products. Dwarf and columnar rootstocks are used for industrial planting. Picking apples from short trees is much easier.

Origin of the name Semerenko

Semerenko apples: description of the variety with photos
Surely you have heard many variations of the names of this variety: Semerenko, Simirenko, Semirinka. And a logical question arises: is this the same variety or different? Let's dispel doubts. The variety is the same. It was named by one famous garden breeder in honor of his father, who first bred it and began to develop it. Although the full name sounds like Platon Simirenko's Renet. People quite often abbreviate it, which results in some confusion.