This variety of apple tree with an unusual coloring of ripe fruits is currently grown in the mountainous regions of Tibet, it is unpretentious and resistant to cold, so it would feel great in many Russian regions: in the middle zone and Moscow region, in the North Caucasus, in the Crimea and some more northern areas.
The main characteristics of the Black Diamond apple tree (another name for Black Diamond), cultivation features and much more will be discussed below.
Fruiting
The Black Diamond apple tree is distinguished by its high yield - according to Chinese experts, up to 160-170 kg of ripe apples can be harvested from each mature tree. But in our country, apple trees of this variety have just begun to appear in orchards, so there are no reviews from Russian gardeners about the yield of this fruit tree yet - after all, the apple tree begins to bear fruit 5 years after planting, and begins to bear fruit actively only by 10 years.
The Black Diamond apple tree is considered completely self-fertile and does not need any nearby pollinating trees for pollination. Indeed, under natural conditions it grows at such a height where there are no other fruit trees, including apple trees. Therefore, for normal pollination, it only needs sunlight and bees or other pollinating insects that flock to these fruit trees, attracted by the strong aroma of flowering trees. This is another advantage of this variety.
“Blue Apples” or girls don’t marry!
Dear masters!
Of course, we are in busy times now and whether my mini-report about the fair will be of interest is unknown!
But still, I’ll scribble a couple of lines now, while the memories are fresh. And even now I want to wave my hand and say “Screw them!”
I won't wave. I'd better write.
Many of us, when planning December, were deciding a very important question: whether to go to fairs and markets with work, or whether the game is not worth the candle. My experience immediately and clearly told me: we take two fairs, at the first we start with works, at the second - with master classes. No sooner said than done. There's just one little thing left: figuring out which fairs to go to.
In the recent past, one of the most interesting projects in Moscow was “Paradise Apples”. I think you will agree with me, right?
However, time passed, and the glorious team of organizers of the Paradise Apples split in half. And the art market “Pro Weekend” and “Blue Apples” appeared.
It was all the more fun for me when the situation was such that I went to the art market “Art-Weekend” on December 5-7 at ArtPlay (metro Kurskaya, Moscow) with my works. And she appeared at Blue Apples with master classes. There was something to see, something to compare, something to think about.
So, the first weekend of December and I’m at Art-Weekend.
On the plus side: an excellent venue (Art-Play is a well-known place, accessible and attractive for lovers of unusual things and designer items). Good advertising support for the fair. Good job by the organizers. The room is quite comfortable, bright and not too stuffy, sockets are within easy reach. Therefore, my entire stand shone and shimmered in the light of the lamps.
Of the minuses: very (not even like that, but like: oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo[[December 5-7th]).
Friday started sadly: there were few people. For the entire day, revenue amounted to 15% of total revenue.
Just when we decided to be sad, Saturday began! Yo-hoo! So many people! The day was a great success! We didn’t have time not only to eat, but even to look at the clock once again. This day was especially joyful for me: my beloved students and friends, my dear colleagues, came! The day flew by with conversations and smiles. The background music was so sweet that it perfectly complemented our joy in communication. In addition to joy, the day brought 60% of the proceeds from the fair. I was happy
The only question that tormented me on Saturday evening was: what will I sell on Sunday?!
However, Sunday came and brought with it another 35% of revenue. And what? Not bad!
The main joy was that I was very actively preparing for the fair for 7-8 days. This is in the sense of working with your hands. By this time, the ideas for the work that needed to be done were clearly formulated, their prices were determined, and all the necessary purchases of materials and supplies were made. Then the factory started working. It was very productive, fast, convenient and high quality. Plus, I have extensive experience working at exhibitions and fairs, which means that at the end of the fair, of course, I was tired, but not so tired that I would lay around for two days. This is a very important point, because two days of subsequent recuperation should also be included in the cost of the fair, right?
A week passed and “Blue Apples” arrived at the ZIL Cultural Center, where I was supposed to teach master classes.
It was a handmade horror))
The Cultural Center is not a design space or even a shopping center. There will be no random people or store traffic of customers. We need to lure people here. This means a lot of advertising is needed (read: more costs for the organizers). “Here’s more, nonsense! We are almost “Paradise Apples”! Almost everyone knows us!!!” decided the organizers. The main word here turned out to be “almost”. There were no people! For Sunday, December 14, when everyone was already seriously preoccupied with buying gifts, there were no people at all! Even on the territory of the ZIL CC there was no advertising. There were three (!!!) folding stands with a modest inscription “Blue Apples Fair, column hall, 2nd floor.” Black letters on a white background. Not a single stretch mark! I didn’t immediately find the entrance to the hall. What can we say about buyers!
On the second floor there was a large foyer. Spacious. High ceilings. Very high ceilings. And there were sockets... on the ceilings!!! The organizers did not consider it necessary to warn about this! I had my camping extension cord with me, but it was clearly not enough for comfortable work. Horror! How to work?! Thanks to my husband, he found a local extension cord in the corner! It was a salvation. We have started our master classes.
A little time passed and... the wiring could not stand it. The lights went out and the hall plunged into darkness. We were surprised! A couple of minutes later the light turned on, but... the sockets continued to be de-energized. I couldn’t work, because there was nothing to do on decoupage without a hairdryer. Potters had the same problem: without electricity, the potter's wheel does not spin! And the additional lamps of the master sellers did not light up either!
Do you think at least one of the organizers approached us? What did he say, did he explain??? No! For what?!
When I went to the organizers’ corner with a question, the sweet organizer girl was watching a movie on her tablet!!! Well, really, what else to do at the fair! It's boring!
I would also like to mention the background music. The hall in the ZIL CC is elongated. The speakers were located at the back wall, and the music should be heard throughout the entire hall, right? Therefore, the speakers were very loud. If you consider that the MK zone was located right in front of the speakers, then... well, you understand. I now say “Merry Christmas!” I won't be able to hear for a long time.
Towards evening, the main member of the Organizers team appeared. The masters surrounded her with a tight ring, but what can you take from a person?! Nothing! On Sunday evening, when it became clear that the majority had not even paid their rent, what could be taken from the organizers?!
I was lucky: my students came to me. They saw my ads on the website and social media. networks and arrived. Yandex brought someone based on my photos, which I am very happy about. But none of the fair's visitors came. Because there were almost none!
How many times a day do you think the announcement and invitation to MK was heard over the speakerphone? NO ONE!!!
How many announcements about the master class area do you think were placed at the entrance to the fair? Well, you already guessed it, right? NO ONE!!!
What for? After all, the organizers have already received their money from the MASTERS!
It could have been so interesting!
But, apparently, in order for the Blue Apples to turn red, a lot of effort must be made... but why? After all, the craftsmen bring the rent... Eh! We work so hard to prepare for the fair! I wish the organizers worked the same way!
Diseases and pests
These trees are accustomed to changes in temperature during the summer season; in winter they can tolerate cold temperatures down to -38 degrees Celsius without shelter. Also, the Black Diamond apple tree calmly tolerates gusts of cold wind and drafts. But if it blows constantly, then these apple trees may get sick.
It is believed that this apple tree is not susceptible to those fungal diseases that affect other varieties of apple trees growing in Russia. But there is no specific information about this. Pests also do not settle on these apple trees. But it is still necessary to carry out preventive treatment of trees.
Main advantages
The main advantages of this variety include:
- large fruit;
- beautiful appearance and good taste of ripe fruits;
- original color of the skin of ripe apples;
- high productivity of mature apple trees;
- the tree tolerates frost well and can easily survive periods of drought thanks to its strong, long root system;
- ripe fruits tolerate transportation well and have good shelf life; trees are self-pollinating; they do not need nearby pollinating trees.
The downsides to note are the following:
- seedlings of this apple tree variety are very rare in Russia;
- The variety is not characterized by early ripening.
Apple varieties that bear fruit in summer
Summer apple trees bear fruit from early July to late August. The fruits are recommended to be consumed and processed immediately after collection. This is due to their consumer maturity. If harvesting is not done in a timely manner, the fruits remain unripe or become overripe. This is fraught with loss of taste and loosening of the pulp. Fruits should be stored for no longer than 1 month. Otherwise, crop damage cannot be avoided.
The positive properties of summer varieties include early fruiting, high yield, large fruits and average winter hardiness. Among the disadvantages are the susceptibility of leaves to scab, and the difficulties encountered when transporting fruit.
Breeders strive to extend the shelf life. The result of their work is varieties that can retain their properties from 1.5 to 3 months. To achieve high yields, it is necessary to provide timely care. The list of necessary measures includes watering, pruning, fertilizing, treating diseases and eliminating parasites.
Summer varieties include:
Ambassi
Shelf life is about 3 months. The yellow-red fruits have a rich taste, pleasant aroma, dense and crispy flesh.
The weight of one fruit is 200 g. Among the features is good keeping quality. There are usually no problems with transportation.
Delcorf
The mass of one apple is 200 g.
Among the characteristic features are the sweet and sour taste of the fruit and rapid shedding.
Kate
The fruits ripen by the middle of the last summer month. The pulp has a dense structure and creamy color.
Ripe apples are red in color. There are whitish dots on their surface.
Close
Green fruits ripen by the end of June. The weight of each apple is about 150 g.
Their peculiarity is a combination of wine flavor and sourness.
Candy
A variety obtained by domestic breeders. Its features include large yellow fruits with juicy, tender pulp.
It is recommended to store apples for 10 to 15 days.
Williams Pride
Dark red, with a purple tint, the fruit is distinguished by its flattened shape, wine flavor and crispy pulp.
The weight of one fruit is about 160 g. The storage period is 6-8 weeks.
Quinty
The fruits ripen by mid-summer. Yellow-green apples with a ruddy side can be kept for 2 weeks.
The advantages of the Canadian variety include resistance to drought and fungi.
Nuances of planting and care
Despite the fact that this variety of apple tree is considered exotic by Russian gardeners, Chinese experts talk about the unpretentiousness of the Black Diamond apple tree, but require good lighting and warmth during the growing season. It is ideal to plant this apple tree on southwestern slopes.
The seedlings of this fruit tree are planted in the same way as other fruit trees. But you need to remember that the distance between neighboring apple trees of this variety should be about 5.0-6.0 m.
In the process of growing these fruit trees, it is recommended to shape their crown so that the height of the trees is no more than 3 m.
It is possible to grow this variety of apple trees in standard and bush forms.
The Black Diamond apple tree grows well in almost all types of soil, but does not tolerate overly fertile ones. Therefore, in the chernozem zone it is recommended to “dilute” the soil with river sand and loam.
Important! Since the roots of this apple tree go deep into the soil, it is recommended to pay attention to the groundwater level in the area - it should not come closer to the surface of the water than 5-6 m, otherwise the root system will rot.
When planting, the root collar of the tree should be 6-9 cm above the ground surface.
Seedlings of this tree are sold only with a closed root system, so they can be planted in a permanent place throughout the growing season.
But experts recommend planting this apple tree in the autumn, when the foliage has already fallen and there are at least 20 days left before frost.
Winter varieties of apple trees, photos with descriptions, care
Winter apples are distinguished by their strong structure, so they are well preserved.
Antonovka
An ancient, beloved winter apple variety. Its apples have a beautiful, yellowish-golden color and a unique, recognizable aroma. The inside of such an apple is snow-white, crispy, with a subtle sourness. The tree is strong, harmonious, with dense foliage. It begins to bear fruit only at 7 years of age. Even the youngest Antonovka seedlings are not afraid of frosts. In general, the variety is unpretentious and disease resistant.
Apple trees of the Antonovka variety
Jonathan
The variety is popular and has many advantages. It was released in the USA. Its fruits are medium and large in size, colored yellow-green, covered with a dark red blush, sometimes “rusty” with a mesh. Their pulp is strong, crispy, creamy, juicy, dessert-like. The yield of Jonathan apple trees, starting from the 5th year, is very high, with good soil and appropriate care. They ripen in October and are successfully stored until April. Susceptibility to disease and winter hardiness are average.
Apple varieties photo with description Jonathan
Pepin saffron
A variety of winter apples of domestic selection. It has round fruits, yellowish-green in color, with a magnificent red blush and a dense creamy center. Their taste is excellent, grape-sweet, interestingly spicy, with an unsurpassed aroma. They ripen in October and lie well until March and April without loss of quality. The tree bears fruit abundantly from 5–7 years, but requires regular pruning. In too cold winters it tends to freeze, but, however, it then recovers well.
Apple tree varieties with photos - saffron pepin
Golden Delicious
Ready for harvest in September and keeps well until March. The fruits are medium and often large, round, slightly elongated-conical. When ripe, they have a yellow-golden skin color. Inside they are dense and incredibly juicy, creamy in color. After lying down, they become much more tender. The taste of Golden Delicious is sweet and pleasant. This variety is of American origin. Regular fruiting of this apple tree occurs from the age of 7. Its frost resistance is good, but it is difficult to tolerate drought.
Winter varieties of apple trees - Golden Delicious
Welsey
This winter apple variety was also bred in the USA. Its fruits are medium in size, round, strongly flattened, yellow-gold in color with a cover in the form of red stripes. The inside is white, sour, and has a subtle, pleasant aroma. The interesting thing is that their taste can change every year. Welsey apple trees ripen in early autumn and remain in a specially equipped storage facility until February. Seedlings begin to produce crops from 4–5 years. They are quite plentiful. Winter hardiness is normal, they resist diseases well.
Preparing for the winter season
This apple tree is highly resistant to frost and can withstand cold temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius without shelter. But it is still recommended in cold regions to cover these trees before the onset of frost. To do this, a thick trunk of straw is thrown into the tree trunk circles, and the base of the trunk is wrapped with burlap or agrofibre.
Although rodents and other harmful insects do not damage the bark of these apple trees, it is still recommended to whitewash the trunks to a height of 1.5 m in spring and autumn.
Reviews from those who planted
Since gardeners have just begun to plant the Black Diamond apple tree in Russia, there is no data yet on its fruiting and productivity, since the variety is not early ripening.
But, judging by the descriptions of Chinese experts, this variety is resistant to frost, does not require special care, is self-pollinating and high-yielding. And its fruits are distinguished by their unusual color and excellent taste, so Russian gardeners should plant at least one apple tree of this variety on their plot.
