Description of the apple variety Red Delicious

This article provides a detailed description of the Red Delicious apple tree variety, the features of its cultivation, care, storage of fruits.

Every gardener sets himself an obligatory goal - to grow an excellent apple tree on his backyard, which will have ideal external characteristics and, of course, give a very plentiful and tasty harvest. Due to the fact that the apple tree is, perhaps, the most popular fruit today in Russia, and throughout the world, breeders have sought to develop as many new varieties as possible that would have incredible characteristics and properties. In particular, one of these varieties was an apple tree under the exotic name Red Delicious, which in translation sounds like “red delicacy”.

In order to make it easier for a gardener to decide whether it is worth planting this variety on his site or not, we will provide the most detailed and complete information about Red Delicious. First, we will describe the most basic characteristics of this variety, show its main advantages and disadvantages. Secondly, it is very important to indicate the subtleties of planting this variety and the subsequent care for it, since in most cases it is these conditions that can become quite significant in choosing a particular variety.

Description of the apple variety Red Delicious, its main features

Description of the apple variety Red Delicious

The Red Delicious apple tree has been known to gardeners for a long time. At the same time, some experienced gardeners and breeders say that Red Delicious is one of the oldest varieties, which, at the same time, has not lost its popularity at all, but, on the contrary, is winning the love of gardeners, even taking into account the fact that a huge number of other apple varieties and subspecies appear , which can be no less attractive to a person, both for those who already have experience in planting apple trees, and for those who are just starting their interesting path, and are looking for suitable apple varieties.

In American gardens, this variety began to be cultivated more than a hundred years ago, and from about that moment the variety began to enjoy such popularity. He was gradually transported overseas, spread in Europe, and after a while he was met by gardeners from Russia. Throughout the time that this apple variety has existed, they have striven to change, improve, create a Red Delicious variety, next to which no other apple variety could be compared. Some gardeners agree that Red Delicious is most likely the result of a mutation, and the variety was obtained at random. But there are those who say that the variety was deliberately bred by some breeders, and the search for completely new features and qualities of this variety continues.

The characteristics of the apple tree are quite interesting. It is characterized by the following features and properties:
- there is a very large number of ringlets on the apple tree. It is on them that the crop is then formed, which the gardener uses in the future. These ringlets are of different ages, older ones are recommended to be cut so that all the energy of the tree is directed to the development of young shoots
- shoots can be either strict straight, or can be slightly curved. Moreover, they are dark brown in color, some shoots may be slightly pubescent.
- the leaves are typical for apple crops - they are medium in size, the leaf top may be slightly elongated, which is the hallmark of this variety.The edges of the leaves are sharp, serrated, and have a very decorative appearance.

Description of the apple variety Red Delicious and its fruits

Description of the apple variety Red Delicious

The fruits of this apple tree have a canonical shape, they can differ in that they have a very attractive appearance, in general, their shape and shade are very decorative, and can attract buyers. These apples are more like an unnatural, incredibly beautiful dummy, so for many it is a real surprise to discover that these are completely real fruits, which are also very tasty. The skin has a very rich and appetizing red hue, while it is quite dense, due to which apples can be stored for a very long time, and this is, of course, a huge advantage over many other apple varieties with similar characteristics. In addition, such a dense skin can protect apples from damage, from impact, so that it provides them with safety in storage and transportation. The pulp is very juicy, when biting off it crunches pleasantly on the teeth, has a creamy shade.

The variety is often used as a parent plant for crossing with other apple families to create new varieties. At the same time, Red Delicious is the parent of such varieties as Winter Beauty, Flame of Elbrus, as well as Prikubanskoe apple and Orient variety. Many of them have features and traits similar to Red Delicious - for example, in the external characteristics of trees, as well as in the timing of flowering and the level of fruiting.
As for the size of this tree, it reaches an average level, while it is quite easy to care for the tree and it is very easy to harvest from it due to such small dimensions. When the tree is still young, its crown resembles an oval shape, but over time, for example, with the onset of the first fruiting, the shape can change to a round or spreading one. This happens for the reason that the branches begin to bend under the weight of the crop, and therefore the shape of the crown changes. But it is easy enough to maintain it - for this it will be enough to form a crown and periodically trim it.

As for the yield, it directly depends on how carefully the gardener was attentive to the plantings, whether he followed the rules of agricultural technology and all preventive conditions. If the gardener did everything correctly and correctly, then the maximum yield from one tree will be seventy kilograms. At the same time, many gardeners come to the conclusion that apples have an ideal taste, almost a reference. For this reason, breeders and gardeners value this variety as much as possible, giving it the maximum tasting rating. Also, gardeners say that the fruits of the variety are universal, they can be consumed both fresh and used in order to prepare various dishes and drinks, preparations for the winter, as well as simply freeze apples. At the same time, if the fruits are stored for a long time, then this will not in any way affect their taste characteristics and properties.

By the way, it should be noted that in addition to the excellent appearance and taste, these apples also include a huge amount of useful and very nutritious substances in their composition. These are vitamins and minerals, iron, antioxidants. All this is incredibly useful for the human body as a whole and, in particular, for some of its vital systems - digestion, nervous system. The variety is distinguished by a sufficiently high and very decent level of winter hardiness, and therefore it can be safely grown in central Russia, where the climate is not always sufficiently stable and warm. Moreover, if the inhabitants of the North decide to cultivate the variety, then they need to take into account that in such conditions the tree will need additional shelter.To do this, you can use any available means, or purchase agrofibre and fiber in the store, which will retain heat in the root part of the tree, as well as the lower part of its trunk.

Even despite the huge number of advantages of the variety, one must not forget that the culture still has some disadvantages. The most basic is that Red Delicious has a low level of resistance to many common diseases. Among them are powdery mildew and scab, as well as rot and vitreous pulp. Rot is predominantly formed in the chamber where the seeds are located. Therefore, outwardly, the fruit may look completely healthy and fresh, but it will rot from the inside, which will play a very cruel joke with it. During storage, the fruits can also become infected with bitter spot, which will spoil the taste characteristics of this variety - the apples will become very bitter, it will be impossible to eat them fresh, let alone use them for further processing.

In this case, it is necessary to more specifically indicate some of the advantages of this variety. The fruits are incredibly tasty and very large. In addition, they are attractive in appearance because they are simply very beautiful, they can be grown on a larger industrial scale to be sold in stores and on the market. Also, the fruits of this variety perfectly tolerate long-distance transportation, and they can also be stored for a long time. From this, they will absolutely not lose either their taste, or external, or useful qualities, which is also an undoubted advantage of this apple variety. Red Delicious tolerates frost very well, has a fairly high level of stress resistance, winter hardiness. The crown can independently form, become exactly what it should be. At the same time, on the part of the gardener, at first the most minimal interventions are necessary, and then the crown gets used to its shape, and from the gardener, in principle, no effort is required within the framework of the formation. At the same time, despite such rich and beneficial characteristics, the variety is not at all capricious when it comes to the composition of the soil and its quality. The tree takes root equally well in light fertile soils and in heavy soils that are not particularly ventilated and saturated with oxygen. True, such conditions can, to a certain extent, affect the taste characteristics of the fruit in the future.

There are still several disadvantages of the Red Delicious variety. Firstly, the variety does not adapt very well to unusual weather conditions, it can react very negatively to temperature changes. Secondly, apples of the Red Delicious apple variety do not have the highest immunity. Due to this, it can get sick quite often, and diseases can occur even when the apple tree grows in the best conditions for itself, and when there are absolutely no prerequisites for the tree to have any problems specifically regarding its development and health ... Reviews about the apple tree of this variety can be found very different, but mostly positive - the varieties of the Red Delicious apple tree are praised for their excellent adaptability after planting, unpretentious care, and at the same time gives a very tasty and bountiful harvest, which must be addressed very closely Attention.

Apple tree Red Delicious: variety description, planting features

Apple tree Red Delicious: variety description

In order for an apple tree to be completely healthy, strong, and give a bountiful harvest, it is necessary to follow some rules of agricultural technology, and also remember that health is laid in the tree along with a successful planting. Therefore, it is from this stage that we begin the new part of our article.
The timing of planting a tree of the Red Delicious apple tree variety often directly depends on where the garden plot is located, as well as, in general, on the region in which this variety will be planted. If the gardener has decided to plant a tree in a region where a warm or temperate climate predominantly develops, then it is best to plan the planting for the autumn period. It is best to carry out it either from the end of September, or to transfer it to mid-October, but in no case earlier or later - it will be ideal during this period. The most important thing is that all planting work is completed about 30 days before the severe winter frosts come, and that by this time the tree has time to adapt, feel all the features of the soil and climate, and get used to the conditions.

It is important to remember that planting for the spring can only be planned if the tree grows in cold areas with an unstable climate. But in other cases, it is still recommended to carry out an autumn planting - gardeners will definitely not lose with it, and the tree will have more chances to adapt as quickly as possible, because this is the prosperity of growth and development in the future. So even such trifles should by no means be ignored, or otherwise it can lead to a loss of fruiting and productivity in principle.

Of course, in planting it is very important to adhere to some technological requirements and norms. In order to correctly plant an apple tree, especially of this variety, it is necessary to take care of the planting site and the pit into which the tree will be sent in advance. Also, several important components are introduced into the pit so that the soil is as saturated as possible and ready to accept a new planting. This is humus (instead of humus, you can also use manure, which has already been overheated), wood ash and superphosphate. It is also worth sending a little potassium into the pit, since it has an excellent effect on adaptation, rooting of the seedling itself, and in the future will have a powerful effect on the fruit ovary. Thanks to the introduction of all of the above components, the soil becomes more fertile, it will stimulate the growth of the seedling in the very near future. As for the size of the landing pit, its diameter should be about 70 centimeters, but the depth should be a little more than half a meter. It is also worth considering that during planting it is best to work together: one gardener will hold the seedling, but the second will straighten the root system in the hole at this time.

A drainage layer should be installed at the bottom of the pit, which will consist of broken brick, expanded clay, crushed stone. Drainage is necessary so that excess moisture does not stagnate near the root system. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the seedling is best placed on a hillock or hill, so that the groundwater is at a depth of at least one and a half to two meters. Otherwise, the root system will touch moisture, which can lead to very serious and even dangerous diseases for the plant. After the apple tree takes root, it must be watered very abundantly with two or three buckets of warm, settled water. The soil should be morned very lightly to reduce the risk of root air pockets forming.

Features of growing this variety

In order for the apple tree to perfectly adapt, grow and further develop, it is necessary to observe the care and agrotechnical conditions. Given the fact that Red Delicious is very difficult to tolerate too much drought, the tree must be constantly watered. The soil should not be very wet or liquid, but it must be slightly moist all the time - it is in such an environment that the apple tree is easiest to develop. In addition, the key to excellent development is organic and mineral fertilizers, which are annually applied under the tree, saturating both the soil and the planting itself.It is recommended to mulch the trunk circle with peat, compost, sawdust and straw. Mulch will allow moisture to evaporate from the soil more slowly, and will also keep warm and prevent pests from reaching the trunk or root system. Such protection is very important for the tree at all stages of its growth and development, so you should not ignore such an important procedure.
Red Delicious is a late-ripening variety. In order for a tree to grow successfully on the territory, it needs at least 140 days with a temperature of at least + 10-12 degrees. Experienced gardeners emphasize that if during the flowering of the apple tree the weather gives severe frosts (mainly, these are recurrent frosts), then all fruit ovaries are at risk of dying, and this year the gardener may be left without a crop. Usually, in this case, he will not in any way affect the abundance of ovaries or flowering, so he will just have to come to terms with this fact.

An apple tree of this variety needs to be pruned by the gardener annually. Thanks to pruning, it will be possible to remove damaged, dried, non-viable branches, as well as those branches that have already become sick, and therefore there is a high risk that the disease will spread from them to still healthy branches. The formation of the crown consists in the fact that the gardener removes some shoots that grow vertically or inside the crown, making it very dense. Due to thickening, it will be more difficult for the gardener to harvest, and in a too dense crown there is no oxygen saturation, which can lead to the development of fungal spores inside the crown, which will provoke the corresponding category of diseases. Pruning is best done in early spring, when the buds have not yet had time to swell, and sap flow has not begun in the trunks. Pruning can also be carried out in late autumn, when the leaf fall is over, and the tree is almost asleep by winter.

The variety is generally self-fertile, therefore, in order to start bearing fruit, the tree needs a gardener to plant several more pollinating varieties nearby. The most suitable pollinators are Idared, as well as an apple variety called Jonathan. In this case, these varieties have the same flowering period, and they can also perfectly create the so-called cross-pollination. In addition, some pollinating insects take an active part in pollination - bees or bumblebees, other insects that quickly move with their wings and can transfer pollinating substances from one tree to another during their flowering.
Trees of this variety bloom quite late - usually flowering occurs either at the end of May, or at the very beginning of June, not earlier. The timing can also move depending on the region in which the tree grows, and in what climatic conditions it blooms.

Fruit ripening also, respectively, falls in the late period - either at the very end of September, or at the beginning of October. The first crop can be obtained in the third year after the seedling has been placed in open ground. Once harvested, crops can be stored for several months if the conditions are right. It is best to store apples in basements, cellars, or underground floors. Some apples can be stored directly on the balcony or in your refrigerator. The main thing is that there is no moisture in this place, there is coolness and shade. During storage, the fruits do not lose their taste at all, but on the contrary they accumulate even more sugar in themselves, becoming even tastier. In addition, if apples are stored correctly, the fruits will not wither, they will remain as attractive and incredibly useful for humans. Also, due to the fact that the pulp is covered with a very dense skin, the fruits can be transported over long distances, without worrying at all that they may be damaged or not transfer transportation.It is for this reason, and precisely because of these qualities, this variety is so popular not only among gardeners who grow apples for personal purposes: Red Delicious is welcomed for growing on an industrial scale.

If suddenly a gardener cannot plant this variety on his site for one reason or another (not the same soil composition, not the most suitable climatic conditions), then he can plant columnar varieties that have similar qualities to the original Red Delicious variety. The difference between the columnar variety is that the height and shape of the tree is very unusual, and the fruits are located not on long branches, but directly on the tree trunk itself. Among the columnar apple trees of Red Delicious analogues, the most popular varieties are Moscow necklace and Constellation.

If we talk about domestic analogues of Red Delicious, then perhaps the most popular variety is Zorka. It is in great demand among gardeners precisely due to the fact that the fruits are incredibly tasty, the yield is stable and high, and at the same time, the fruits can be stored for a long time, and they perfectly tolerate transportation over long distances. In this regard, this analogue is also used not only for personal, but also for larger, commercial purposes. It should be borne in mind that the variety really has very great similarities with Red Delicious, and sometimes it is quite easy to confuse them, which can be used by some breeders and nursery workers.

It is also worth talking in more detail about the planting of the Red Delicious variety in different areas. For example, it should always be borne in mind that Red Delicious apple varieties are very friendly to dry climates. During the day, the temperature should be warm enough, but at night it should be cool, because in such a contrast the tree feels best. For this reason, we can conclude that this variety is ideal for cultivating it in the Moscow region, as well as in central Russia. It is in these areas that the tree will feel best and, accordingly, having taken root, it will give a stable and annual harvest.

If the gardener has decided to cultivate the Red Delicious apple varieties in Siberia, then he should keep in mind that the tree needs very careful protection. This is protection not only from the cold, but also from gusty and very cold winds, from drafts. For this reason, in the fall, it is recommended to properly insulate this tree until the moment when the weather stabilizes again and a time that is warmer and more comfortable for Red Delicious begins. This is also due to the fact that return spring frosts have an extremely negative effect on the tree - because of them, all the inflorescences crumble and, accordingly, the harvest can no longer be expected. But still, even despite such a large number of subtleties, Red Delicious is still considered one of the most preferred varieties, which is loved by many gardeners, and which continues to occupy a leading position among many other apple crops.