Gardening » Apple tree
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Kira Stoletova
The Starkrimson apple tree instantly spread throughout Europe. Having entered the territory of the Soviet Union in the 30-40s, it began to be actively grown for industrial purposes in the Caucasus.
Description of the Starkrimson apple tree
Description of the variety
The Apple tree variety Starkrimson has a beautiful appearance.
The apples are large. One weighs 175-200 g. The fruits have an amazing color - they are bright, juicy, crimson-crimson - this makes them so appetizing and attractive. Covered with rough, dense skin. Thanks to the coating, they are perfectly stored for a long time.
The tree takes up little space in the garden plot, since the seedlings reach a height of 4.5-5 m. The crown is compact and in an adult tree is shaped like an inverted pyramid.
The branches do not grow densely, so the seedlings do not need annual thinning.
The bark is brown, with a grayish coating. The seedlings are completely covered with fruiting branches - ringlets. In spring, numerous ovaries form on them. The foliage is large, emerald green. It has sharp jagged edges and resembles an egg in appearance.
The tree blooms with pinkish-white buds, which begin to form abundantly with the arrival of warm days.
Taste characteristics
Experts rate the Starkrimson apple at 4.5 points (out of 5 possible).
The taste is pleasant - moderately juicy and sweet. The longer the picked fruits are stored, the more pronounced their taste and aroma become.
They contain useful acids, sugars, vitamins and microelements.
100 g of pulp contains 5-7 mg of vitamin C, so the fruit is useful for strengthening the immune system.
Self-fertility and pollinators
The apple tree is not capable of self-pollination. To ensure that the seedlings produce a bountiful harvest, pollinating plants are grown next to them in one garden plot.
For these purposes, the following varieties are used: Jonagold Deposta, Jonathan and Golden Delicious.
The optimal distance at which other fruit trees are planted: 1.5-2 m.
Productivity
With proper care you can get a good harvest every year. The main thing is not to forget about regular watering, protect the seedlings from small rodents and monitor the temperature; sub-zero temperatures can be detrimental to the fruit.
The apple tree will bear its first harvest 2-2.5 years after planting. By planting seedlings correctly and providing them with proper care, you can collect 150-160 kg of fragrant and juicy fruits from one tree.
Annual growth
New shoots form in spring
Fresh shoots form with the arrival of spring. Every year the apple tree is renewed with young shoots. Like any other spur plant, the new branches have a sharp tip that looks like a thorn.
Winter hardiness of the variety
Seedlings do not like sub-zero temperatures. A severe cold snap can lead to complete freezing of the garden.
According to the description, the Starkrimson variety is grown in warm regions: the apple tree will feel good in the southern climate, where there is a moderate winter.
In our country, these are the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, the Rostov Region. To prevent the seedlings from freezing when cold weather arrives, measures are taken to thoroughly insulate them.
Disease resistance
The variety tolerates many diseases that affect fruit trees. It is not afraid of fungal infections that cause powdery mildew and gray rot. Culture needs constant monitoring. The first signs of any disease will immediately affect the appearance of the plant and fruit.
The greatest danger is posed by codling moths, mice and moles.
Productivity
The Starkrimson apple tree variety begins to bear fruit early. A tree on a dwarf rootstock produces fruits already in the 2nd year of cultivation. For seed - after 2-3 years. A young apple tree bears fruit abundantly; up to 30 kg of fruit can be collected from a tree. The yield of an adult plant is up to 180 kg.
The type of fruiting of the Starkrimson apple tree is ringed. Most of the harvest is formed on ringlets of different ages. The fruit formations are densely located, so the variety’s productivity is high. It is often grown for sale.
Planting seedlings
To grow a beautiful garden that will produce a bountiful harvest, it is important to choose the right seedlings for planting.
There are a number of recommendations that will help you avoid the most common mistakes.
- To grow fruit trees, choose young shoots that are no more than 1-1.5 years old.
- Carefully inspect the seedlings. They must be safe and sound.
- Examine the shoots for diseases - there should be no compactions on the trunk bark.
- Keep the roots of the apple tree moist.
- Pay attention to choosing a place in the garden.
Selection and preparation of a site
This variety needs plenty of light, so when placing seedlings in the garden, give preference to sunny areas. Make sure the area is protected from draft winds. The most suitable soil is loam. Soil in which water stagnates is completely unsuitable for planting.
The Starkrimson apple tree can be planted in both autumn and spring.
Deadlines
Many gardeners prefer to plant trees when the weather warms up, when the threat of temperature changes disappears. Over the summer, the shoots will have time to take root and by the time winter arrives, they will calmly accept climate change.
in spring
Young trees need good lighting
The soil is prepared in advance.
- Dig up the soil to enrich it with oxygen and carefully remove weeds.
- Trees are planted before buds have time to form.
- Prepare your seat in advance. Don't forget about drainage. Use expanded clay for this.
- The soil should be fertilized. Typically, top dressing consists of humus (1-2 kg) and nitroammophosphate (20-25 g). The mixture is carefully mixed and added directly to the ground.
Keep an eye on the root collar; do not immerse it too much in the soil. After placing and digging in the seedlings, they should be watered abundantly. To ensure that trees grow straight, make supports for them from wooden pegs. The top of the soil is covered with mulch.
in autumn
Prepare your seat carefully. The soil must be dug deep enough - 80-90 cm.
For fertilizer, use organic matter: humus or manure (at the rate of 5-6 kg per 1 sq. m) and ash (500 g). These substances contain all the necessary microelements so that the seedlings not only take root well, but also actively grow.
Don't forget to mix the soil well after adding fertilizer.
Landing technology
Landing is carried out as follows:
- dig holes 75-85 cm deep;
- add fertilizer (this could be sand, rotted leaves, ash, manure);
- Water the soil generously: you will need 15-20 liters of water per seedling;
- place the tree in the hole, make sure that its roots are straightened;
- fill in the soil and compact the soil around the apple tree.
If you have never grown fruit trees, following the advice, you will be able to do it in your garden without any problems.
Optimal growing conditions
The Starkrimson apple tree variety is intended for cultivation in the southern regions of the country. However, it can also be cultivated in the central part of Russia. To do this, you need to create suitable conditions:
- Protect the tree from cold winds and drafts, especially in winter.
- Take care of the composition of the soil. It should be as close as possible to the Southern regions. Clayey, acidic soil, in which moisture will stagnate, is not suitable for growing.
- Provide good drainage for the tree's root system. In this case, the groundwater level must be taken into account. They should not be located close to the soil surface.
In order for the tree to quickly take root and begin to grow, it is planted in early spring or autumn. It depends on the growing region. In the central part of Russia, it is preferable to plant in the spring so that the seedling has time to take root before the onset of cold weather. In the south, apple trees are planted at any time. The main thing is that the soil must be warmed up, and there are at least 14 more days left before the first frost.
Apple tree care
You will only be able to grow a good harvest if you constantly care for the sprouts.
You will have to carefully monitor the seedlings. In order for the tree to grow strong and healthy, do not forget about regular watering and application of mineral fertilizers, and loosening the soil.
Watering and fertilizing
Constant watering is the basis for the active growth of Starkrimson seedlings. This variety does not tolerate drought, so in summer the trees should be watered once every 6 days in normal weather.
During sustained heat, sprouts need more water. Water more often - once every 2-3 days.
Mulch will help preserve and retain moisture in the soil. To do this, use bark, spruce needles or sawdust. Covering the soil will not only reduce evaporation, but also protect the seedlings from small rodents.
The variety needs regular watering
Mineral fertilizers are applied 3-4 times per season. When choosing fertilizer, be guided by the weather outside the window. With the arrival of spring, it is important not to forget about nitrogen fertilizers.
In cold weather, pay attention to potassium and phosphorus substances. You can purchase fertilizers in specialized stores. On the packaging, carefully study how to use this or that drug.
Pruning seedlings
The apple tree has a neat and not very dense crown. The main shoots grow rarely, so they do not need thinning. Just make sure that dried shoots do not interfere with the development of new ones.
Trim dead and diseased branches every 2 years.
Prevention and protection against pests
The greatest danger to Starkrimson apples is a fungal disease called scab.
The disease manifests itself in the form of a gray coating and rusty spots on the inside of the foliage. As the infection progresses, it leads to death. The crown turns black and flies away. Gradually, the fungus moves onto the fruits, as a result of which they shrink and fall off.
As soon as you notice the first signs of the disease, immediately begin treating the seedlings.
To preserve the harvest, carefully remove all infected leaves and fruits (they should be burned) and treat the trees with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Fungal spores can persist in the soil for a long time: to prevent them from being transmitted to other plants, the soil should be sprayed with a 10% ammonia solution. Treatment can be carried out no later than a month before harvest.
During the winter season, various rodents can pose a threat to plants: to protect the seedlings, they must be covered.
Shelter for the winter
Caring for plants continues during the cold season. Since this variety does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures, young seedlings need shelter. Wind and winter sun can cause irreparable damage to trees, which will lead to a poor harvest - the fruits will be small, sour and diseased.
Agrofibre, roofing felt and cellophane are used as insulation for bark.
To protect the roots from freezing, coniferous branches are laid around the plants. In young shoots, not only the lower part, but also the crown should be covered.
How Starkrimson got into Russian gardens
The history of the creation of the variety dates back to distant Iowa (USA) at the end of the 19th century. Then its ancestor was born - the winter variety Delishs (translated from English as “delicious”).
In the process of systemic selection during vegetative propagation of record plants with bud variability, in the same place, in 1921, several new varieties for intensive gardening were obtained under the name Starking Delicious, characterized by greater color saturation and low plant growth.
The group of varieties with these useful qualities also includes Starkrimson, which literally means: star - “something outstanding” and krimson (krimzn) - “dark red, crimson color”.
The name fully corresponded to the crimson color of the large, juicy fruit, which was ideal for cultivation in industrial gardens.
The large-scale development of horticulture during the Soviet period in the North Caucasus and Stavropol Territory led to the spread of this variety in our country. Changes in the economic environment over the past 20 years have taken this variety out of commercial production. Now it decorates the collections of private gardens like an exotic miracle.
When choosing a new variety, pay attention to the region of breeding if it has not yet been tested in yours.
Features of ripening and fruiting
It will take several years before your seedlings begin to bear their first fruits. At first there won't be many apples. Get ready to reap a bountiful harvest in 5 years.
Flowering of seedlings begins in late spring. The ripening of plants depends on the weather. If the summer was hot, the fruits will begin to ripen much earlier - in early September. Cold weather will delay this process for several weeks.
A few rules will help you understand that it’s time to harvest:
- the fruits have grown quite large;
- they are easily removed from the branch;
- When cut through an apple, you can see ripe dark brown seeds.
Story
Starkrimson is an American apple tree with a winter ripening period. In fact, the origins of the appearance of the Starkrimson apple tree begin at the end of the 19th century, in the American state of Iowa, where during this period the progenitor was obtained - the winter apple tree Delicious, translated as “delicious”.
Subsequently, there was a targeted selection of apple trees obtained from the vegetative propagation of Delicious, having various bud variations, and in 1921 a number of apple trees were bred, differing in other characteristics of the apple, including Starking Delicious, and its spontaneous bud mutation produced Star Crimson, which roughly translates to “outstanding red” (“crimson star”, “dark red star”).
The photo shows the classic color and shape of Starkrimson, obtained in the southern regions (“northern” version, see below).
The Starkrimson apple tree, around the same period, spread massively throughout the then USSR, occupying large areas of gardens in the North Caucasus and Stavropol region, but around the beginning of the current century, interest in it decreased. Now the cultivar can be found mostly in private small gardens in the South of Russia, although the demand for both fruits and seedlings is still maintained at a fairly high level.
Collection and storage
Fruits are stored for a long time
Apples are harvested in September-October. You should not delay this process, otherwise they may lose their taste.
The storage period is long. The fruits have good keeping quality. In the cellar, fruits are perfectly preserved until next spring. If you keep the fruits in a warm room, they will very quickly lose their presentation.
You should not water the trees before harvesting. The best time for this is noon (the fruits will have time to dry from the dew).
Apples are picked starting from the lower branches and gradually moving to the top. There is no need to jerk the fruit sharply. Try to scroll them around the stalk. Be careful not to damage the skin and keep the apples intact.
It is forbidden to shake the seedlings. To reach the top of your head, use a stepladder. Fallen, bruised and spoiled fruits are not suitable for long-term storage. They should be eaten or processed first.
How to choose the right seedlings when purchasing
Having decided to plant this variety on your site, it is very important to choose the right seedlings. When choosing seedlings for planting, remember:
- One- or two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting in a permanent place.
- The trunk of the seedlings must be free of damage, stains and growths.
- If you cut the bark a little, the color of the trunk underneath should be light green.
- The roots should be moist and light in color.
- The leaves of seedlings of the Starkrimson Delicious variety have a rough back side. Before buying, feel the leaves - this way you will be sure that you are buying the right seedling.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Starkrimson apple tree is a unique variety that has many advantages that gardeners appreciate.
- early ripening and abundant yield;
- beautiful shape and color of the fruit;
- attractive presentation of apples;
- resistance to the fungal disease powdery mildew;
- use both in its natural form and as a base for jams, preserves, and compotes.
The disadvantages include the following:
- poor tolerance to low temperatures;
- needs regular watering and does not like drought;
- apples do not have a standard size - both large and small ones can be found on the same tree;
- branches break easily under the weight of fruit;
- seedlings often suffer from attacks by rodents and insect pests.
Reviews
From my own experience. “For more than ten years now, the Starkrimson apple tree has been bearing fruit in my garden. Great American. And not Crimean, as some people think. Requires a little more attention than our varieties. Especially watering.
I don’t even consider the low winter hardiness and scab disease to be a disadvantage. Common preventive treatments for diseases and pests. 5-6 per season. Depending on the weather. And the apples! Beautiful. Delicious. Juicy. And on March 8th they are on the table.”
Stanislav. “I somehow remember Starkrimson apples. A gardener I knew treated my father. I found a seedling in the nursery without much trouble. They immediately warned about scab and good watering. Feeding. There are enough apples to last all winter. And how delicious. We eat fresh. We used those rejected during long-term storage for making juice and jam.
It only evokes admiration from those who were treated to it. But it must be stored very carefully. Already in spring, bitter pits may appear. Standard disease prevention. By the way, scab affects no more than Semerenko.”
Peter. “You can chase new varieties. Super resistant to frost and disease. What to do with the old ones? Verified. And loved ones. This is also about the Starkrimson apple variety. My family loves them. Juicy. Delicious. Especially around New Year. Large ones. What else does. And they also lie for a long time without special conditions.
Maybe they are not so in demand and popular. Most likely, among modern farmers. And I’m not even going to change it in my garden. Vice versa. I want to graft them onto another apple tree. Just in case. The apple tree is already old.”
Alexander. “If someone wants to plant a Starkrimson apple tree, I would advise you to think carefully and read the photo and description of the variety. Do you have conditions for growing it? Especially consider the need for regular watering. It’s good if there is the possibility of drip irrigation. And it’s better not to experiment in places with frosty winters. Although their taste and appearance are worth growing yourself. After all, you don’t often see them on the market anymore.”
Reviews from netizens
I can’t get enough of this variety, and my neighbors are jealous! Apples are just like in the picture, one-dimensional, 200 grams each, delicious if you keep them on the tree longer. The tree is clean, beautiful, 2.5 meters high, smooth, shiny bark, disease-resistant. Definitely worth planting!
whoan29
https://forum.vinograd.info/showpost.php?p=1141935&postcount=3
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Reviews
Dmitry Petrovich, 63 years old, Saratov: “Starkrimson has been bearing fruit on my plot for more than ten years. An excellent American variety. And the apples! Just great. The apple tree has its drawbacks: it requires more attention and good watering, it needs to be processed more often than others. So what? What kind of plant does not require care?
Ivan, 45 years old, Kuban: “The taste and appearance of these fruits are worth growing them yourself. But the apple tree is problematic, this cannot be taken away. You need to carefully monitor her, just a little humidity - she immediately gets sick.”
