Jonathan apple tree: features of growing an early variety, reviews from gardeners, description and characteristics

The Jonathan apple tree has gained wide popularity due to such advantages as abundant yield and early fruiting, taste and recognizable aroma of the fruit, and long shelf life. Apples of this legendary variety are known not only in its historical homeland - North America, but also in Russia, as well as in the CIS countries.

Jonathan apples (pictured) are in high consumer demand in many countries around the world

The main characteristics of the variety are given in the table:

History of the variety's creation

This apple tree variety appeared in the last quarter of the 19th century in the American state of New York; it was bred by local farmer and breeder Philip Rick. This specialist took the most popular Aesop Spitzenburg apple tree as a basis. By repeated cross-pollination of this variety, new seedlings were obtained, from which a new species was selected.

About 5 decades passed before the Jonathan apple tree became one of the most popular varieties among farmers from around the world. This variety was brought to Russia in the middle of the last century. It was planted in many regions of the country, but due to its not very high resistance to cold, the Jonathan apple tree took root in the southern regions, Ukraine and the North Caucasus. Almost immediately, this variety was included in the State Register of the country.

Photo of Jonathan apple tree

Features of cultivation in the regions

The taste and appearance of this variety of apples allowed it to take its rightful place among the popular and favorite apples.

Even leading positions:

• It is grown by gardeners;
• And the State Register directly recommends cultivation in the regions of the North Caucasus.

Attention! The State Register is silent in its recommendations regarding the regions of the Moscow region and the Urals. Winters are real.

In Ukraine

The climatic conditions are not nearly the same as in Ohio. There, work was carried out on the selection of this variety.

But since 1954 it has been zoned throughout Ukraine.

Main characteristics of the Jonathan apple tree and description of the variety

This fruit tree grows quite quickly and by the age of 10 can reach a height of 3-3.5 meters

. The maximum height of the central trunk is about 4.5-5 m.

The crown of this tree is spherical, quite spreading, the skeletal branches are located at an angle of 90 degrees to the central trunk. The number of side shoots is slightly more than average. Often, under the weight of ripening apples, branches can bend to the ground.

The bark of the trunk and branches is brown with a greenish tint. The shoots are well leafy, the foliage is small in size, matte, with thick gray-gray pubescence. The main color of the leaf plates is rich emerald.

Apple tree variety Jonathan - variety description - video

Fruiting in this apple tree can occur on ringlets, fruit rods and spears. Apples often form on annual growths.

The Jonathan apple tree blooms in mid-May, the trees bloom profusely, the flowers are large, with white rounded petals. During this period, neither branches nor trunk are visible under the flowers.

Ripe fruits are round, slightly flattened at the ends. The average weight of Jonathan apples is up to 150 g, but some fruits can reach 200 g.

The skin is dense, not too thick, and resistant to mechanical stress. The main color of the smooth shiny surface is rich green. But during the ripening process, the color of Jonathan apples becomes bright red; such a blush can completely cover the surface of the fruit.

The color of the compacted granular pulp is white with a greenish tint. In fully ripe apples, the flesh becomes yellowish. Its taste is sour-sweet, with a pleasant fruity aroma.

On a note!

Tasting rating of the Jonathan apple tree variety is 4.5 points out of 5 possible.

The harvested crop can be transported to any distance and also stored for quite a long time.

This tree can withstand cold snaps down to -15-20 degrees Celsius without damage, but lower winter temperatures can lead to complete freezing of the wood not only on the shoots, but also near the central trunk.

Features of ripening and fruiting

Beginning of fruiting

• Only for 3-4 years on a dwarf rootstock.
• And others talk about 2-3 years. And 4-6 years.
• You could take the average. You yourself know that the seller has embellished everything.
• Medium-sized rootstocks - from 5 years.

Fruit ripening

End of September and beginning of October. And the exact timing will help you:

• Growing region.
• Weather: From spring to autumn.
• Specific for the collection period.

Fruit storage

If stored correctly in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-3 degrees (heat), on March 8 you can please your family and friends with apples of this variety. But don't surprise. This is the norm.

There is one “but” with this variety - if the storage conditions are not met (the temperature is increased), the quality will decrease. Dark, bitter spots appear.

Advice! Store carefully without pressing or hitting.

Pollinator varieties for the Jonathan apple tree

The Jonathan variety is partially self-fertile - without the presence of nearby pollinating trees, approximately 1/3 of the blooming flowers are pollinated. But for good yields, other varieties of apple trees with a similar flowering period should be planted nearby.

The best pollinating trees for the Jonathan apple tree are the following varieties:

• Golden Delicious;
• Idared;
• Mac;
• Spartan;
• Ruby Dooks;
• Welsey;
• Melba.

Pollination

The Jonathan variety has viable pollen and the ability to self-pollinate. But the yield will be much higher if you plant varieties next to the apple tree that will pollinate it:

• Spartan;
• Simirenko;
• Golden Delicious;
• Idared;
• Uman winter;
• Melba.

If, due to lack of free space on the site, it is not possible to plant another apple tree, then Jonathan is grafted.

Productivity

The Jonathan apple tree is distinguished by its medium-early fruit ripening period - apples ripen already in the last ten days of August.

Fruiting begins in the Jonathan variety 5-6 years after planting the seedlings in a permanent place

. But in the first years after the start of fruiting, the yield of trees is not too high - no more than 10-15 kg of fruit from each tree.

From a 15-year-old Jonathan apple tree you can harvest up to 70-75 kg of fruit. And the maximum harvest collected from an adult apple tree was 400 kg.

Jonathan apples - one of my favorite varieties - video

Optimal climatic conditions for growing

The Jonathan apple variety is common in commercial and home gardening. However, in recent years its popularity has begun to decline. One of the reasons: for the Central Russian strip, these apple trees are not winter-hardy enough. According to the recommendations of the State Register, optimal climatic conditions for their cultivation exist in the North Caucasus region .

One of the important prerequisites for the yield of “Jonathan” is planting trees in sunny places on suitable soil types (loam and sandy loam). Insufficient soil fertility and moisture deficiency affect the yield and size of the fruits: they become smaller.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the Jonathan apple tree include:

1. wonderful aroma and taste of ripe apples;
2. the harvested crop can be transported to different distances, and also stored in appropriate conditions for a long period;
3. The first harvest from young apple trees can be collected in the 5-6th season after planting the trees in a permanent place;
4. fruits can be used for culinary processing, making fruit wines and other drinks, including on an industrial scale;
5. trees can bear fruit for up to 30 years without losing stability.

Good varieties of apple trees:
Red Delicious Apple Tree Antonovka Apple Tree Zhigulevskoye Apple Tree
The following are the disadvantages of the Jonathan variety:

1. frost resistance – low;
2. low resistance to many diseases;
3. pollinating varieties are required for good fruiting;
4. To preserve apples longer after picking, you need to provide special storage conditions.

Varieties

To improve the quality of the fruit, breeders have developed other varieties of the Jonathan variety. They used this variety both as a scion and as a rootstock. Work continues on breeding dwarf and columnar trees.

Gold Janogold

The Janogold variety was developed in 1943 by crossing Jonathan and Golden Delicious. In the eighties of the twentieth century, this variety was tested in Ukraine on industrial sites, and it showed good results.

Apple tree Gold Janogold.

A vigorous tree begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting and, starting from the ninth year, the apple tree produces up to 50-60 kg of apples, the weight of one is up to 170 grams. Tasting score of the fruit: 4.6 points.

The Jonathan Gold apple is greenish-yellow with an orange-red blush on the sides.

It ripens at the end of September, and by the end of December it is ready for consumption and acquires a sweet and sour taste. Stored until April.

The Gold Jonagold variety needs pollinators.

Red Jonared

The variety was selected as a spontaneous bud mutation of Jonathan. Differs from the parent in the more intense coloring of the fruits.

A tree of medium height, with a round, medium-dense crown. The fruits ripen at the end of September, the shelf life is the same as Jonathan's. It requires regular agrotechnical measures: fertilizing, treatment against diseases and pests, protection from cold winters.

Red Johned apples.

Currently, the Red Jonared variety is rare.

Other clones

The Jonathan apple tree variety is actively used by domestic and foreign breeders to create new varieties. About 40 new varieties are known, of which the domestic one is Pamyat Sergeevu. Varieties of American selection: Idared, McFree, French Prime.

Famous varieties: Wilmuta, Morens, Jonagored Supra, Red JonaPrince, Jonathan Carroll - white apples.

Jonathan apple tree: agricultural technology for growing a fruit tree

Due to its good yield and unpretentiousness, this apple tree variety is ideal for growing on an industrial scale and in private backyards. But before purchasing seedlings, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of planting trees, choosing and preparing a site for further good growth and development of the apple tree.

Apple tree growing technology - video

Jonathan apple tree planting time

The time for planting this apple tree is spring or autumn. Moreover, in the spring the best time to plant a Jonathan apple tree is from the second ten days of April to the first ten days of May, and in the fall - the first ten days of October, so that at least 30 days have passed from the moment of planting the trees to the onset of cold weather.

But most gardeners prefer to plant any fruit trees in the spring, so that they have time to take root well and gain strength before the long winter. In the spring, seedlings are planted before sap flow begins.

Selection of planting material

Its further fruiting depends on how viable the selected apple tree seedling is. Therefore, the choice of planting material should be approached responsibly.

It is recommended to purchase Jonathan apple tree seedlings in specialized nurseries or gardening stores, where they sell healthy, strong seedlings without signs of disease or damage by insect pests.

When choosing a planting tree, you must be guided by the following requirements:

1. the height of the apple tree is 1.5 m, and its age is 2 years;
2. the root system must be well developed;
3. trunk bark is smooth, without scratches or other damage;
4. at least 4-5 strong, healthy branches.

Important!

When purchasing apple tree seedlings, you need to pay attention to the conditions in which they are stored. Apple trees should be in the shade, where it is cool and humid, because even short-term drought can have a detrimental effect on the general condition of the tree.

Choosing a site for planting an apple tree

The area for planting the Jonathan apple tree should be well lit by the sun and protected from gusts of strong winds. In the shade, this fruit tree grows and develops poorly, the vegetative mass increases slowly, apples ripen worse, and as a result, the yield of the variety suffers.

The best soil for growing this fruit tree is loam or sandstone with a loose fertile structure.

It is better to choose flat surfaces or a slight elevation for planting. The distance to the nearest trees and country buildings should be planned at least 4 m. There should be no stagnation of moisture in the soil, and groundwater can be located no closer to the soil surface than 2.5 m.

Planting holes are prepared in advance - about a month before the intended planting of apple trees. The dimensions of the hole should be slightly larger than the volume of the root system - up to 0.9 m in depth and up to 0.8 m in width.

Photo of apple tree planting scheme

The excavated and pitted soil is mixed in equal quantities with the following components:

• high peat;
• matured compost;
• rotted mullein.

If the soil on the site is heavy, then the composition of the substrate for planting the Jonathan apple tree will be slightly different - you need to mix the soil with coarse river sand and humus in equal quantities.

Tree planting

Stages of planting a Jonathan apple tree:

1. The hole is filled approximately halfway with the mixture, a mound is formed from it, on which the tree is installed.
2. A strong post is driven in nearby, to which the seedling will be tied. The roots are carefully spread along the slopes of the mound.
3. Then the pit is filled with the remains of the nutrient substrate and compacted.
4. For each tree you need to add at least 20-25 liters of water.

Ripening and fruiting of the Gloucester apple tree

Beginning of fruiting

The first flowers on a tree, especially one grown on dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstocks, may appear already in the second year after planting in open ground. However, it is not advisable to let them develop into apples. It is better to immediately cut off the color, allowing the apple tree to grow the necessary branches first. It is believed that the beginning of fruiting in Gloucester occurs in 4-5 years, when approximately 15-25 kilograms of apples can be removed from the tree.

Flowering time

The variety blooms in the mid-late time, that is, approximately from mid to late May, and this process lasts a long time. She throws out large, fragrant, white, sometimes with some pink flowers, collected in inflorescences of 4-5 pieces, which delight the eye for a week or 10 days.

Fruiting and growth

The apple tree increases fruit production very well, from year to year bringing more and more tasty and aromatic fruits, which also look like in the picture. By the age of ten you can harvest full-fledged harvests of up to 80-90 kilograms. At the same time, the growth of the tree is very sensitive, since by this age it has almost reached the required height.

Apples ripen towards the end of September, when they can be picked and stored. However, consumer maturity comes a little later, about a month and a half after that. When overripe, the fruits do not begin to fall off the branches, which is called a special advantage of Gloucester, but leaving them for a long time is also not recommended. You can store fruit in the refrigerator until February-March, and in a well-ventilated cellar until May.

Why do apples fall

• Natural natural factors.
• Pests.
• Diseases.

Leave your own reviews about the Gloucester variety to share your experience and knowledge with other gardeners.

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Further care for Jonathan apple trees

Their future productivity depends on how much care is provided to growing apple trees. Therefore, it is important to apply fertilizing on time, observe the irrigation regime, loosen the tree trunks and remove weeds.

Loosening and weeding

The tree trunk circles should be loosened at least once every 12-14 days, as well as after watering and rain. This procedure allows air to penetrate to the roots of the tree, while weeds are removed.

Irrigation regime

Although this variety of apple tree can easily tolerate periods of drought, you should still adhere to a certain watering schedule so that the tree promptly receives the moisture that is necessary for the growth of vegetative mass, the formation of ovaries and the ripening of apples.

These fruit trees should be watered in the first ten days of June, in the first ten days of July and in the fall in the process of preparing the Jonathan apple tree for winter.

Important!

The amount of moisture introduced into the tree trunks of the apple tree depends on the weather - in hot, dry times, more water needs to be added, and in the rainy season, the amount of watering should be reduced.

Feeding the fruit tree

The Jonathan apple tree should be fed according to the following scheme:

• Before budding begins, 1.5 tbsp of urea is added to each trunk circle for digging. l. nitroammophoska and ammonium nitrate, 50 kg of humus;
• During the flowering period, the following solution is added to the tree trunk circles: 100 g of superphosphate, 3 tbsp are diluted in a bucket of water. l. potassium sulfate, 2 liters of diluted bird droppings, 5 liters of slurry, 1 glass of urea;
• in July and autumn, the Jonathan apple tree is fed with the following solution: 20 g of potassium chloride and 40 g of superphosphate are dissolved in a bucket of water.

How and what to fertilize fruit trees correctly - video

Jonathan apple tree pruning

The formation of the crown begins in the next season after planting the seedling. In this case, all shoots are shortened by about 25-30 cm. This procedure is carried out in the spring, before the buds open.

In the fall, after the leaves fall, Jonathan apple trees are sanitized. At the same time, dried, damaged or diseased branches are removed, as well as those shoots that grow inside the crown and thicken it.

The cut areas must be disinfected with crushed charcoal and then covered with garden pitch.

Photo of apple tree pruning diagram

Preparing the apple tree for winter

In the process of preparing the Jonathan apple tree for winter, the following procedures are performed:

• carry out moisture-charging irrigation to saturate the root system of the apple tree with moisture;
• then apply liquid fertilizer (before the leaves begin to fall, so that the tree has time to receive nutrients);
• after the end of leaf fall, remove all plant debris from the tree trunk circles and burn them outside the site;
• the trunk circle of the apple tree is dug up to a depth of a shovel bayonet;
• then the area is mulched with peat or humus to protect the root system from frost. The thickness of such a layer must be at least 15 cm;
• the lower part of the trunk and skeletal branches of trees are painted with lime to protect them from sunburn during the winter;
• The base of the trunk and the lower part of the skeletal branches of young trees is wrapped with metal mesh to protect the bark from rodents.

How to properly prepare fruit trees for winter - video

Planting and care

The variety is perfect for both growing in a private garden and for mass plantings for commercial use.

Before planting an apple tree of this variety on your site, make sure the climate in your region is sufficiently mild.

Winters with temperatures below -15 degrees will be unfavorable for non-frost-resistant plants.

In the northern regions, the harvest period will shift from September to the end of September.

It is better to buy Jonathan seedlings in special nurseries.

The optimal size of a seedling is 80 centimeters.

The best time for planting is spring , but not earlier than mid-to-late April.

When planting, the Jonathan gold apple tree is planted at a distance of 3 meters from each other.

Young seedlings need protection from the scorching sun and wind - shade them with branches or fabric.

The tree develops well with sufficient sunlight and does not like shading. The soil is preferably loamy or sandy loam.

If you plan to harvest a bountiful harvest from your apple tree, make sure the soil is fresh. In poor soil, apples will become smaller and will not stick well to the branches.

If the land on which Jonathan grows is not fertile enough, fertilizing is necessary. During drought periods, additional watering is required.

Spring pruning of apple trees is mandatory. Prune apple trees purchased from a nursery only in the second year.

Apple tree Jonathan: reviews from gardeners

Olga, 45 years old, Labinsk: The Jonathan apple tree variety has been growing with us for more than 20 years; it was planted by my parents. The tree has grown well and has been bearing fruit well for 5 or 6 seasons. We partially leave the collected apples for eating and put them in the cellar for storage. I also put away apple juice from the collected apples for the winter, and my husband makes apple wine, which turns out pleasant and aromatic. I also dry some of the apples, and in winter I make compotes from them.

Tatyana, 50 years old, Novorossiysk: Of the apple trees with medium-ripening fruits growing in my garden, I like the Jonathan variety the most - we use its delicious aromatic apples fresh, I make delicious jam, and I use the juice for the winter. But in order to get good harvests every year, Melba and Welsey had to be planted simultaneously with this variety, which became good pollinators for Jonathan.

The Jonathan apple tree has been growing in Russian conditions for many decades.

Despite the fact that it can only be grown in the south of the country due to its low resistance to cold, its abundant fruiting, good taste of apples and the versatility of the harvest allow this variety to be popular among farmers even today.

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Diseases and pests

Jonathan is practically not afraid of scab, but he has weak immunity to powdery mildew, which has a negative effect on yield. Sometimes, due to powdery mildew, the tree does not bear fruit at all. To avoid this, for prevention, the apple tree is treated with fungicides 3 times a year. Potassium and phosphorus fertilizers increase the tree's resistance to this disease.

If Jonathan is already affected by powdery mildew, then spraying the tree with a solution of potassium manganese, copper oxychloride or a solution of sodium carbonate (soda ash) with soap can help.

The Jonathan apple tree can be attacked by the same parasites and pests as other varieties of apple trees. These are aphids, codling moths and others, therefore, in the spring, the tree must be whitened with lime even before the buds open , and also sprayed with insecticides.

External description

The description of an apple tree includes the height of the tree, the size of its crown, the characteristics of the root system and the taste of the fruit.

Trunk height

The height of an adult tree can reach 2 m. Most often, the tree grows to medium size. This is considered an advantage because a shorter plant is easier to harvest.

Crown diameter

The shape of the crown resembles a circle. The density is average. At first glance, it may seem that the plant is not thickened. As they grow, the skeletal branches bend to the ground.

Appearance of the fruit and its taste

The fruits are round in shape. The peel is rich red, the flesh is green-yellow. The skin is thin. Fully ripe apples have firm flesh. The mass of apples is 100-150 g.

Golden Delicious

We have two Golden Delicious trees growing: one at home, the other in the garden. At home, it bears fruit very poorly, although t-t-t has never been sick at all, there is a beautiful, neat, healthy tree and it is showing off. Age 8 years. We’ll wait a few more years (until the pollinators grow up) and if the results are the same, we’ll remove them. But in the garden it’s a completely different matter – it grows and pleases, no complaints. We take care of it the same way, but the soil, of course, is different. We keep this variety for the taste of the fruit and keeping quality. Another plus is that babies are not allergic to it, like they are to red apples. And we note that despite the presence of references to diseases in the “official descriptions”, both of our trees never got sick. Perhaps this is partly due to the dry Volgograd climate.

Description Golden Delicious is a winter-ripening apple tree variety of American origin. The tree is medium-sized. The Golden Delicious variety is self-fertile and requires pollinators. Pollinators: Jonathan, Wagner Prize, Delicious spur, Kuban spur, etc. Golden Delicious has medium-sized and above-average fruits (120-170 g), round-conical, yellow in color.

In the first years, young trees bear fruit regularly, but as they grow older, periodicity may appear due to improper care or bad weather conditions. Productivity is high in the presence of pollinators. 7-year-old low-growing plantings can bring up to 250-300 c/ha (in plantings of 1000 trees/ha), less on vigorous rootstocks. Frost resistance is good. Drought resistance is weak. In humid climates, Golden Delicious leaves suffer from powdery mildew. Relatively resistant to scab.

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Ripening and fruiting of the Jung apple tree

Beginning of fruiting

It is believed that all semi-cultivated plants begin to bear fruit quite early. Snow White brings the first few apples by the third year, but the harvest can only be harvested in 4-5 years. At the same time, you can get a little, just a few kilograms of aromatic bulk fruits.

Flowering time

Junga blooms in the first half of May, approximately in the tenth month. But depending on the weather, it may be delayed until the middle or even the end of the month. Therefore, it is better to choose pollinators for it with the same flowering period. Its buds are large, they fall thickly on the branches, and are quite fragrant.

Fruiting and growth

Apple trees of this variety, as already mentioned, increase their productivity gradually, producing more and more apples from year to year until they reach their maximum. At the same time, the growth of the tree itself is very insignificant, no more than 5-20 centimeters in one season.

The fruits ripen in mid-August, and it is better to immediately remove them from the branches, as they can simply fall to the ground. Here you need to seize the moment very carefully while waiting for the fruit to pour in, because, for example, in a rainy summer they can only ripen by mid-September. The shelf life of the fruit is short, no more than 30-40 days in suitable conditions. By this time, it is better to completely process them into compotes, jams, preserves or other dishes.

Top dressing

• Superphosphate.
• Mineral complexes.
• Ammonium sulfate.
• Potash fertilizers.
• Peat.
• Compost.
• Manure.
• Humus.
• Urea.

Why do apples fall

• Overripe.
• Natural natural factors.
• Pests.
• Diseases.
• Excess moisture.

Leave your own reviews about the Jonathan variety to share your experience and knowledge with other gardeners.

Previous Varieties of apple trees Apple tree Solntsedar: characteristics of the variety and care Next Varieties of apple trees Apple tree Gloucester: characteristics of the variety and care

Features of ripening and fruiting

Beginning of fruiting

• Only for 3-4 years on a dwarf rootstock.
• And others talk about 2-3 years. And 4-6 years.
• You could take the average. You yourself know that the seller has embellished everything.
• Medium-sized rootstocks - from 5 years.

Fruit ripening

End of September and beginning of October. And the exact timing will help you:

• Growing region.
• Weather: From spring to autumn.
• Specific for the collection period.

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Fruit storage

If stored correctly in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-3 degrees (heat), on March 8 you can please your family and friends with apples of this variety. But don't surprise. This is the norm.

There is one “but” with this variety - if the storage conditions are not met (the temperature is increased), the quality will decrease. Dark, bitter spots appear.

Advice! Store carefully without pressing or hitting.

Growing, frost resistance

During the growing process, it is important to make sure that the climate is suitable for the plant in all respects. It is desirable that it be soft in winter, so that the temperature does not drop below 15 degrees. In cases of severe frost, the apple tree will suffer.

There are cold winters in Russia and Ukraine, so you can insulate the tree in advance. For insulation, spruce branches or other material are used that retains heat and allows the trunk to breathe. In this case, the apple tree will not be harmed, but the harvest will be a little later than in a warm region.

Growing an apple tree next to grapes is not recommended, as this contributes to the spread of the fungus. If the area is small and it is not possible to plant them separately, then during treatment with antifungal agents it is necessary to carry out manipulations throughout the garden simultaneously.

What are the fruits?

Jonathan apples are characterized by excellent presentation and excellent taste:

• apple size - medium to large. Weight ranges from 100 to 160 g;
• The shape of the fruit is round or round-conical. The surface is smooth and even with virtually no ribs or there are barely noticeable ribs;
• The main color of ripe apples is yellow-green. The top of the fruit is almost completely covered with a blurred or striped dark pink or red blush. Numerous white specks are visible on the surface of the fruit;
• the fruits have juicy and tender cream-colored, dense pulp, characterized by a sweet taste with a wine tint. There is a slight sourness in the taste.

pulp (100 g) contains the following components:

• sugars - about 11%;
• acids - 0.7%;
• vitamin C - 6 mg;
• active substances - 100 mg;
• dry ingredients - no more than 14%.

The taste is rated 4.5 out of five.

The benefits of Jonathan apples

The apples of this hybrid are a storehouse of useful substances for our health. They contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Jonathan fruit pulp is rich in:

• vitamins A, group B, C, E, P, PP, K;
• micro- and macroelements S, Cu, P, Na, K, Al, F, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, Mg, Zn, B, I, etc.;
• starch;
• pectin;
• fiber;
• folic acid;
• organic acids;
• tannins;
• antioxidants, etc.

In their fresh form they are used for:

• anemia;
• obesity;
• metabolic disorders;
• weakened immune system;
• blood diseases;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• diabetes mellitus;
• vitamin deficiency;
• kidney diseases;
• arthritis and gout;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, etc.

Daily consumption of fresh fruits will cleanse the intestines and blood vessels, eliminate toxins, heavy metals, restore metabolism, and normalize cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Apples, in combination with various diets, will quickly get rid of extra pounds.

Application

The fruits of the hybrid are incredibly tasty. They are eaten fresh. Various homemade preparations are prepared from apples - jam, jam, compote, marmalade, puree, juice, marmalade, etc. They are added to desserts. Jonathan fruits are ideal for home winemaking.

When they ripen

Fruit ripening begins at the end of August-beginning of September. The massive ripening process occurs in mid-September. That's when you can start harvesting.

Yield indicator

Productivity depends on the age of the tree - the older the apple tree, the more apples it produces. An average of 85 kg of fruit is harvested from apple trees over 12 years old. But this is not the limit. With quality care, this figure can be increased many times.

Resistance to climatic conditions

Jonathan apple trees have poor winter hardiness. They do not take root in latitudes with harsh winters. During cold weather, wood and fruit shoots freeze. The level of drought resistance of trees is average. Also, the hybrid does not tolerate cool and humid summers very well - there is a risk of fungal diseases.

Shelf life and transportation options

In special fruit storage facilities, the fruits of the hybrid are stored until May. If storage conditions are violated, apples may wither and become covered with putrefactive spots. Fruits of the Jonathan variety tolerate transportation well, due to which, basically, this type of fruit crop is grown on a mass scale.

Ripening and fruiting Jonagold

Beginning of fruiting

The first flowers on apple trees of this variety can be found even in the first year of their life in the nursery. However, letting them develop is unproductive; it is better to immediately tear off the buds and wait 3-4 years, when it will be possible to collect about 5-10 kilograms of fragrant and juicy fruits. Moreover, the apple tree will slowly, but every year, increase its productivity, bringing in more and more apples.

Flowering time

Like most apple trees, Jonagold begins to bloom in the second ten days of May. It does not last very long, about 10-14 days, during which pollination has time to occur. The flowers of the variety are large, with fleshy petals of snow-white color with a slight pink tint. During flowering, trees emit a very powerful aroma, which attracts pollinating insects even over long distances.

Fruiting and growth

The growth of green mass occurs slowly, but quite confidently. In a year, a tree can grow approximately 25-40 centimeters, especially if we are talking about a vegetative rootstock. Fruiting is also steadily increasing. Every year there will be more and more apples, until in the 15th-20th year you get a maximum of one hundred and a half kilograms.

It is customary to pick fruits after reaching technical maturity. You can track it by the yellowish main color of the skin of the fruit, which they acquire instead of green. Most often this happens at the very end of September or beginning of October. At the same time, consumer maturity occurs only after 1-3 months, when the sugar in apples caramelizes. Under favorable conditions (suitable temperature and humidity of the cellar), Jonagold can be stored until the next harvest without losing the original taste. The fruits lend themselves very well to transportation; the skin protects them from mechanical and other damage.

Selection of planting material

Prepare seedlings for planting

You can purchase seedlings at a gardening nursery, where you will probably be provided with a real plant with all varietal characteristics and qualities.

Choose grown specimens - at least 80 cm high, 1-2 years old and with a closed root system. They have a good survival rate.

You can determine the freshness and health of an apple tree by the state of its crown:

• shoots are elastic, without mechanical injuries and signs of disease infection - mold, brown, black or red spots, growths;
• the leaves and buds are fresh, juicy, rich green in color, and do not fall off when shaking off the crown.

Before planting, the rhizome must be soaked in cold water with the addition of one of the root growth stimulants for 10 hours. Then treat with a clay mash.

Specifications

In addition to describing the tree, it is important to study the technical characteristics of the variety. For example, resistance to frost, in what climatic conditions to grow, pollination and a number of other characteristics.

Optimal climatic conditions

It is recommended to plant seedlings of the Jonathan variety in the southern or central region. In northern latitudes, where there are severe frosts, the tree will not be able to survive and will die due to the cold.

Frost resistance

Due to the weak bark, frost resistance is low. The apple tree can survive frosts down to -20 degrees.

In what areas is landing possible?

The Jonathan variety can be planted in any region where winters are moderate or warm. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on the growing region. For some summer residents, even in the north, the apple tree survives the winter.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

The Jonathan hybrid has low immunity to powdery mildew. Average resistance to scab and bacterial cancer. With proper care, the occurrence of these diseases can be avoided.

Pollination and self-fertility

The Jonathan apple tree hybrid is self-fertile. To increase productivity, pollinating apple trees are planted next to the tree:

• Spartan;
• Mac;
• Uman winter.

Neighborhood with other apple trees will significantly increase the number of inflorescences and ovaries.

Apple ripening period

The tree begins to bear fruit in the 5th year after planting the seedling. The fruits are harvested from mid-September until the first days of October.

Harvest and use

It is recommended to pick apples before they fall to the ground. Apples are used to make jams, preserves, compotes, and used for baking.

Planting rules, where is it better to plant

Planting seedlings must be approached competently, following all the necessary rules:

• First you need to choose the right site. The Jonathan apple tree is a heat-loving plant, so the area should be lit and sunny, it is important to avoid shade.
• Loam and sandstone are well suited as soil. It is important that the land is not depleted; in this case, no mineral supplements or fertilizers will be able to increase productivity.
• Planting can be carried out both in spring and autumn (September-October or April). After planting in the spring, the plant tolerates winter frosts better, since its root system has time to strengthen. If you plant in the fall, then closer to spring the tree will grow more, and there is a chance of seeing fruits earlier.
• After choosing a site, the process of planting the seedling begins. It is necessary to dig a hole one meter wide and 0.7 meters deep. Pour in nutritious organic matter and mix it with regular soil (the mass should occupy one third of the hole). Now you need to hammer in a peg for the tree, it will create a support. The tree is carefully inserted and sprinkled with soil, lightly compacted.
• Fill the seedling with two buckets of water (it will take about 20-24 liters).

Be sure to mulch near the trunk.

The landing procedure is completed.