Characteristics and photos of the Arkadik apple tree, care rules

You ask: “Help me recognize the variety - what should the Arkadik apple tree be like? You are interested in both the height of the tree and the fruits themselves. A couple of years ago I ordered a seedling as a tall summer species with large striped apples. But it turned out to be a surprise - the fruits are quite small, yellow in color, with practically no red stripes. The taste seems to correspond to the description, juicy, with sourness, just the way I like it. Could the seedlings be mixed up in the store or is this really what Arkadik should be like?”

We answer: Among the summer varieties, the Arkadik apple tree occupies one of the first places in the list of cultivated fruit crops. And it’s not at all a matter of taste, because not everyone likes sweet and sour apples, although they are very juicy. Early ripening, consistently high yields and incredible vitality, allowing the variety to be grown in any climate - that’s why it is loved.

History of selection

The Arkadik apple tree was bred relatively recently - in post-Soviet times , on the basis of the All-Russian Selection and Technical Institute of Horticulture, under the leadership of an honored figure in the field of botany, Professor V.V. Kichina.
This species is based on the process of hybridization of the old and beloved apple tree variety “Arcade Yellow” with the American subspecies SR0523.

After lengthy trials and laboratory tests, in 2008, “Arkadik” was included in the State Register of officially cultivated fruit crops, with the subsequent zoning of the apple tree in the Central region.

Where can it be grown?

Academician Kichina devoted most of his life to his native Federal State Budgetary Institution VSTISP, which is located in Moscow, and this city is the birthplace of the Arkadik apple tree. In practice, the variety is successfully cultivated in the following regions of the country :

• Moscow region;
• Leningrad region and Northwestern Federal District;
• Central region of the country;
• Volgo-Vyatsky district;
• Republics of the North Caucasus and Crimea;
• Regions of the Black Earth Region.

The variety takes root well throughout the Russian Federation with a temperate climate and pronounced seasonality, without extreme climatic conditions.

Description

The Arkadik apple tree variety is one of the typical representatives of fruit crops of the Central region , which have certain morphological characteristics and taste qualities. The properties of this plant are described in detail below.

This is what the Arkadik apple tree looks like:

Tree

The tree develops quickly, grows with a powerful trunk up to 9 - 10 m in height. The bark of an adult plant is smooth and very dense, brown in color. For the convenience of harvesting apples on an industrial scale for commercial purposes, a dwarf rootstock is often used, which makes it possible to achieve a tree height of up to 4 - 4.5 m without loss of yield.

The crown is spreading, has the shape of a cone, flattened to an elongated hemisphere . The main branches are sparse, which allows the fruits to ventilate and receive solar energy throughout the summer season.

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The shoots of the apple tree are red-brown in color, with a large number of nodes, which indicates the increased productivity of the variety.

Leaves

The leaves that open in the spring before flowering begin have the following distinctive features:

• Medium size - up to 5 - 7 cm in length.
• From one shoot they grow in groups, each on an individual petiole.
• They have the shape of an ellipse with a slightly pointed end.
• The surface is smooth, with clearly visible veins, without a glossy sheen.
• The color is bright green, saturated, the shade is evenly distributed throughout the crown.

Leaves cover every shoot. At the site of formation of the future flower and, accordingly, the fruit, their increased concentration is observed.

Flowers

The first flowers begin to appear already in the third year after planting a young seedling, mainly in early May, in the absence of late frosts. They have the following characteristics :

• Size no more than 3 - 4 cm.
• When closed, the bud has a soft pink tint, but on the inside the petals are painted white.
• The petals are oval in shape and, when opened, resemble the shape of a bordered plate.
• On each ovary 3–4 buds are formed.

Flowering of the Arkadik variety continues until approximately 28–32 years, after which the tree gradually begins to die off and the yield drops sharply. The lifespan of an adult apple tree is influenced by the quality of care with preventive pruning of dry branches.

Fruit

The variety belongs to the early ripening apple trees, and harvesting maturity is achieved in mid-to-late August. You can pick apples until mid-September. The fruits have individual morphological characteristics and taste characteristics :

• The apple is large in size - up to 10 - 15 cm in diameter. The fruit has the shape of a regular ellipse, elongated along the stalk. The dense skin has increased resistance to mechanical stress. Painted soft pink on 65% - 75% of the surface with slight green-yellow streaks throughout the entire area.
• The fruits of the apple tree are considered one of the heaviest among the varieties of the central part of the country, and the weight of one apple with proper care can reach 300 grams.
• When cut, the apple emits a distinct aroma. The pulp is white or cream-colored, easily crushed when pressed, and does not have increased density and fragility. The fruit contains up to 60% juice with a moderate degree of viscosity.
• The variety does not have a long storage period, like many representatives of early ripening crops in this category. Under ideal cellar or refrigerator conditions, the maximum shelf life does not exceed 5–6 weeks. Under conditions of room temperature and natural humidity, consumer properties begin to be lost after 2–3 weeks.
• The fruit is considered a dessert fruit; it tastes sweet, containing a small amount of malic acids. Professionals give average scores to the taste characteristics of apples - no more than 4.2 out of 5.0.
• The fruit contains a high concentration of fructose - up to 12%, and a low content of acids - no more than 0.4 mg per 100 grams. The variety is considered high in calories due to the presence of natural sugars - up to 55 kcal for every 100 grams of fresh product. Due to its short shelf life, it is often used by housewives for making compotes and jam.

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It is necessary to monitor the harvesting period, since fully ripened fruits at the beginning of autumn begin to actively crumble under the influence of their own weight. Being on the ground, they instantly deteriorate and attract pests.

Frost resistance

The Arkadik apple tree has increased resistance to extreme cold in temperate climates. They can withstand winters down to -35 C.
During the growing period, after the selection of the variety, rapid rehabilitation of the tree after a cold winter was noted, as well as the resistance of the shoots in the event of return frosts in the spring.

additional characteristics

• the yield of the variety is at a very high level;
• seedlings grow very quickly;
• the variety is zoned almost throughout the entire territory of Russia, including the northern territories, except, of course, the Far North;
• this variety has practically no drawbacks, and if you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, the harvest will always be very good;
• ripened fruits immediately fall off, so after ripening they must be collected immediately, since the presentation of the fallen apples will be impaired.

Apples have a sweetish and sour taste and they smell very aromatic. The pulp is white, juicy, has a granular structure, and a slight oiliness is felt. There are few seeds. The apples are quite large and at the same time one-dimensional - they reach 350 grams, but these are, of course, champions, and the usual weight is 220 grams. Up to 30 centners of crops are harvested from one hectare.

The apple skin is thin. At first it has a whitish-yellow color, then becomes covered with scarlet stripes. The apples look very beautiful. Their presentation makes them a well-traded product. Of course, Arkadik is intended for fresh consumption; they look simply great on the table. Apples begin to ripen in the second ten days of August, and are consumed until the last days of September. Arkadik is a summer variety that is suitable for those who want to see beautiful and tasty apples on their table.

The winter hardiness of this variety is at a very high level; this apple tree can withstand even very severe frosts - up to 35 degrees. It will tolerate this temperature very well, and in the spring it will again delight you with lush colors, and in the summer – with a wonderful harvest. By the way, Arkadik tolerates not only cold, but also heat. The harvest will be very good even in dry summers. Of course, there will be slightly fewer fruits, but they will still grow in large quantities.

But that’s not all, Arkadik has significant resistance to all fungal diseases and, most importantly, to scab. The tree can also resist various types of pests. But this does not mean that the tree does not need to be looked after. Resistance is resistant, but if you leave things to chance and do not carry out any agrotechnical and preventive measures, the tree may get sick.

This variety is self-fertile. This means that even in the complete absence of pollinators, the fruits will develop. This can be very convenient if there is simply not enough space in the garden to plant a second fruit tree. But you still need to try to plant a pollinator variety next to Arkadik, since its presence will certainly affect the increase in productivity. Both summer and autumn varieties can be planted near Arkadik.

Pollination

The variety is characterized by a special property - self-fertility. That is, during a rainy summer, when there is no possibility of natural pollination, the tree still bears fruit. However, in this case, the harvest will be meager, and in August approximately 50% - 60% of the standard amount of apples will ripen in the presence of pollinators.

“Arkadik” is considered an apple tree that is unpretentious to pollinators, and any variety whose flowering period has the same period is suitable for complete budding , for example, “Bolotovskoye”, “Cinnamon Striped”, “Antonovka ordinary” and many other species.

Productivity

The Arkadik apple tree variety is considered high-yielding and has three subspecies - “Sugar”, “Summer Yellow” and “Pink”, each of which is characterized by different yields with the following common characteristics:

1. Apple trees begin to bear fruit at 3–4 years of age.
2. Harvesting can begin as early as mid-August.
3. From the “Sugar” subspecies, you can harvest up to 180–220 kg of apples per season, provided that fertilizing and nutritious soil are available.
4. The remaining subspecies produce up to 100 - 140 kg of fruit from each tree.

The active fruiting period of an apple tree begins in the middle of its life cycle - from about 10 years of age. Before this period, the annual increase in the number of apples per tree is about 5% - 7%.

When do you start harvesting from the Arkadik apple tree?

Mid-August and earlierLater

Harvest storage

As mentioned above, the harvest does not last long, and it will not be possible to consume fresh apples of this variety for food in winter. To ensure the longest possible shelf life, the following conditions must be met :

• For preservation, apples should be picked with the stem. During storage, apples collected from the ground should not be mixed into the same container.
• It is recommended to collect only in dry and sunny weather.
• Before storage, apples are sorted. Specimens with obvious signs of disease and mechanical damage, as well as rotten fruits, should be removed.
• Storage is carried out in a cool and dark place. It is advisable to provide ventilation in the room.

Considering that the pulp of the variety has a low density, precautions should be taken during transportation , and after delivery to its destination, the product is re-sorted. The total storage duration, regardless of the conditions created, does not exceed 2 months.

Landing rules

When planting, professional gardeners advise following certain rules, which determine the survival rate and speed of development of the variety:

1. 
   When purchasing a seedling, you should pay attention to the technical passport of the specimen, which should indicate the morphological characteristics of the Arkadik variety, as well as the age of the product, which should be about 2 years.

2. The root system of a young tree must be formed, with the presence of rods and fibrous processes.
3. The seedling must have a smooth trunk, without signs of disease, cracks on the surface or other damage. There should be no leaves on the shoots.
4. It is allowed to plant an apple tree of the Arkadik variety 2 times a year - in late autumn or early spring. When planting, a stable above-zero temperature is taken into account, without the risk of night frosts.
5. The planting site should be on a hill, protected from cold winds, but at the same time well illuminated by the sun's rays.
6. If the hydrogeological characteristics of the site suggest a high level of groundwater, their drainage should be provided, or an aquifer should be organized.
7. When planting, you should take into account that mature trees in the neighborhood will block the seedling’s natural light and interfere with its normal development.
8. In advance of planting, a cylindrical hole with a diameter and depth of up to 80 cm is dug in the ground. The surface of the excavation must stand for a month.
9. The bottom of the pit is lined with a uniform layer of nutritious mineral fertilizer containing potassium, phosphorus, humus and wood ash in the amount of 3 to 4 buckets.
10. Before planting, ensure that the hole is moistened with 30–40 liters of water.
11. To fix the seedling in the hole and give it a vertical position, a thin pole up to 1.5 meters high is driven into the center of the hole.
12. The young tree is tied to a pole so that the border of the trunk and root system is 4–5 cm above the soil surface.
13. After planting, the pit is filled with a layer of previously removed loosened soil.

Important ! To accelerate the development of a seedling, it is necessary to mulch the soil at a distance of up to 20 - 30 cm from the trunk, in order to avoid the decomposition products of organic substances from entering the root system of the young tree.

How to properly plant an Arkadik apple tree and care for it.

Before choosing a site for planting, consider the size of the root system of an adult apple tree. In order for the future tree to grow freely, not in crowded conditions, for active growth and high yield, it is necessary to calculate the approximate size of the area in which the root system of an adult apple tree will have to develop.

The root system of an adult tree is twice as large as the crown, and most of it is located inward at 0.45-0.6 m, despite the fact that it can go 5 meters deeper.

Planting time, and how to properly cultivate an apple tree.

You can plant an apple tree in the spring season - the 20th-30th days of April, as well as in the autumn season - from the last days of September to the 15th day of October. For this purpose, prepare a hole for planting; its dimensions are: depth - 0.7-0.8 m, width - about a meter.

Progress.

• The surface soil layer is removed.
• Next, it is mixed with humus, so the soil becomes lightweight and breathable.
• A peg is placed in the center of the planting hole, a seedling is placed nearby, it is carefully buried and sprinkled with soil mixture.
• Next, the pit is watered.
• The root collar should rise 5 cm above the surface layer of soil.

Agrotechnical practices.

To obtain a healthy tree and a high yield, it is necessary to properly care for the plant; pruning is a very important procedure. It is carried out in the first year after planting in the spring, provided that the apple tree is strong and healthy. If in doubt, postpone pruning to next year.

What is done when pruning: the central conductor is shortened by three buds; in the future, the pruning procedure will be carried out in order to form a crown. Branches that grow inside the tree are trimmed, young shoots and damaged branches are shortened.

The tree trunk also needs care. Regular removal of weeds and loosening of the soil is required to improve moisture and air permeability.

In normal weather in the summer, watering is carried out 1 time/21-28 days, 3 buckets of water are added. If the soil is lightweight, then watering of the plantings is carried out 1 time/10-14 days.

Young seedlings are fertilized in the spring. Usually this is a solution of ammonium nitrate. In the autumn season, phosphorus and potassium are added, which increase resistance to the winter season.

Rules of care

The Arkadik variety is considered easy to cultivate and does not require special care. For better development of the tree and obtaining a good harvest during the ripening period, the following measures must be taken:

• Ensure proper watering. In the first year of life after planting, the seedling must be watered every 2 to 3 weeks, provided there is no heavy rain.
• Mature trees are watered subject to early watering in early May, strictly before the first flowers appear on the shoots. Then watering is carried out 1 - 2 times until the end of fruiting in the current season.
• When watering, up to 70–100 liters of water are poured under the root of the plant, depending on the size and age of the apple tree.
• In case of high humidity and heavy rains, watering should not be carried out, as this will harm the development of the fruits.
• During dry periods, rainfall irrigation should be provided with a spray tool to irrigate the crown.
• Dry branches need to be pruned, as new shoots will form in their place. Pruning significantly increases the life cycle of the crop.
• Pruning is done in spring and autumn, when there are no green leaves on the trees.
• Fertilizing of the Arkadik variety begins in the second year of life. The best way to accelerate development and increase yield is a weak urea solution. Fertilizing is applied 1 – 2 times per season.

Important ! After harvesting, in mid-autumn, the apple tree requires additional feeding for a successful winter. To ensure the safety of the plant, it is necessary to add 1 - 2 buckets of fermented manure to the soil, as well as a solution of fertilizers based on superphosphate and potassium sulfate at the rate of 250 - 300 grams of dry matter per 50 kg of nutrient soil.

Agricultural technology

The Arkadik apple tree does not require special conditions for planting. They plant it like ordinary apple trees. The soil can be of any quality. Planting time: autumn or spring.

Before placing the seedling in the ground, it is necessary to mark the area. The distance between adjacent trees should not be less than 5 m. After this, a hole is dug 0.8 m in diameter and 0.7 m deep. The bottom layer of soil need not be used, but the top layer is mixed with humus.

IMPORTANT! When planting, you should not add mineral fertilizers, as this can lead to burns to the roots of the seedling.

When planting, you should straighten the roots of the tree, gradually filling them with prepared soil. In this case, the roots should be facing down.

After planting, a ditch is dug around the hole and water is poured into it. Subsequent watering (if planting was done in the spring) should be carried out at least once every 2 weeks.

In order for the tree to take root better, you need to mow the grass around it and loosen the soil. The trunk can be protected from pests by wrapping it in parchment. This will need to be done for the first five years after planting. Then rodents will not be afraid of the trunk.

When the crown appears, it needs to be trimmed so that it is not too high. This is done so that the branches grow to the sides and not upwards. In the first years, it will also be necessary to remove excess flowers, since the abundance of fruits will cause irreparable harm to the young apple tree. And when the tree becomes fully grown, the branches with too many apples need to be tied up or supported so that they do not break off.

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Diseases and pests

The Arkadik apple tree has strong natural immunity and is resistant to scab or other fungal diseases. Based on this, the fight against diseases comes down to preventive measures .
However, leaves, shoots and fruits are susceptible to attack by harmful insects, and the root system and trunk are often damaged by rodents. The following measures are used to control pests:

1. Every year, 1–2 times per season, the plant is treated with copper sulfate or Bordeaux water.
2. To combat insects, folk remedies are also used, for example, the installation of bird feeders, which begin to destroy all pests when they fly in for food.

In winter, it is better to cover the trunk with a thick layer of snow or cover it with thick, breathable burlap, which will prevent it from attack by rodents. In summer, mechanical barriers should be installed around the plant.

Region of natural growth

Frosts do not cause any damage to this variety. Experiments have shown that the fruits of trees of this variety are frost-resistant in early winter at 25 degrees below zero.
The most favorable environment for germination is the Moscow region and central Russia .

Resistant to the conditions of northern regions, where the notorious Antonovka cannot withstand frost.

Advantages and disadvantages

The artificially bred fruit crop "Arkadik" undoubtedly has a number of positive properties.

pros:

• Large fruit size.
• High yield - up to 200 kg per season from each tree.
• Rapid development of the plant after planting - fruiting is possible already in the 3rd year.
• For temperate climates, increased frost resistance.

Minuses:

• Tall trees make harvesting difficult.
• Summer varieties of apple trees do not saturate the fruits with preservative elements, which leads to a decrease in shelf life.
• If harvested untimely, apples begin to crumble at an accelerated pace, which causes the quality of the fruit to be lost.

Despite the presence of shortcomings, many summer residents of the central zone of the Russian Federation, as well as professional agricultural farms, actively grow Arkadik apple trees, and the products are sold throughout the country.

Reviews from gardeners

Gardeners who cultivate the Arkadik variety on their plots often share reviews on forums about the results achieved, and also point out the problems they face:

• Early ripening makes it possible to enjoy the taste of fresh apples in the summer.
• Availability and wide distribution of seedlings in nurseries and at fairs.
• It tolerates winter well, compared to Antonovka.
• It crumbles quickly already in early September.
• It spoils in a matter of weeks after collection - you need to immediately cook compotes and make jams.

Reviews from real consumers can be read here and here.

Arkadik apple tree: varietal varieties

On a dwarf rootstock.

Apple tree Arkadik: photo of variety

The Arkadik apple tree grows up to 2.5 meters, its resistance to frosty periods is higher than that of a tall apple tree. It is convenient because it occupies a small area on the territory and does not shade it.

Columnar.

Apple tree Arkadik: photo of variety

The tree is compact, not spreading, the crown is narrow. If you care for it properly, the yield will be the same as that of a regular apple tree, but you should take extra care of the soil.

"Summer yellow."

The tree has small apples, but their taste is no different from ordinary fruits. Immunity to scab is reduced.

"Sugar".

The productivity is high, one apple tree yields 200 kg, the apples have excellent taste and excellent commercial quality. You need to care for it according to the standard, similar to caring for the Arkadik apple tree variety.

"Pink".

The tree produces medium-sized apples, weighing up to 80 grams, with a flattened shape. The yield rate is not that high. The trees are of weak growth, the fruits grow on ringlets.

Average prices for seedlings and fruits

You can buy seedlings of the Arkadik variety at any Sadovod market throughout the European part of Russia, as well as in special nurseries. The average cost of one root ranges from 200 to 7,500 rubles . The cost is affected by the age of the tree. When purchasing a 2-year-old seedling, the cost will be minimal - no more than 450 rubles, and for an adult 8-10 year old apple tree with a clod of soil you will have to pay 5,000 rubles and more.

Arkadik apples are a seasonal product and can be found on sale from the beginning of August to the end of October at a price of 80 - 150 rubles per 1 kg. Depending on the type of outlet.

Similar varieties

In central Russia there are not many summer varieties of apple trees, which are characterized by large fruits, early ripening and excellent taste. Among them are the following types :

• "Melba";
• "White filling";
• "Dachnaya";
• "Grushovka Moskovskaya"

All of the listed varieties are similar in taste and morphological characteristics to the Arkadik apple tree, and their main disadvantage is their short shelf life.

Harvest collection, storage and transportability

The apples in question have very thin skin, so they can be damaged during long-term transportation. The fruits ripen very quickly - they must be collected within a week, otherwise they will fall off and spoil. Fruits are collected in wooden boxes in 2-3 layers. Arkadik apples can be stored for 3-4 weeks in the basement at temperatures up to +10°C.

Due to its excellent winter hardiness, the Arkadik apple tree variety is suitable for growing in regions with harsh climatic conditions. A gardener who wants to acquire such a plant on his plot will not have to work long to obtain a harvest, because the apple tree is unpretentious in care and is fast-bearing, which makes the variety even more attractive.