Apple tree Alesya

The apple tree Alesya was bred at the end of the 20th century by Belarusian breeders who strove to develop a special variety of apples. It must necessarily be a variety that adapts to any weather conditions, and at the same time, apples must be stored for a long time without losing their taste, useful and external characteristics.

Introduction

Apple Alesya: photo of the variety

Belarusian breeders managed to achieve this goal, and an excellent hybrid was obtained, which was named - the Alesya apple tree. These apples can be removed from the tree and you can be sure that the fruits will be stored almost until the end of spring, which is really an incredibly high and significant indicator in modern horticulture. The apple variety Alesya has already occupied an important niche both in personal gardening and in the more extensive industrial production of apples, and in this article we will dwell in more detail on the description of the variety and its most basic characteristics, on the features of planting a tree and subsequent care for it. We will also tell you how to create the most suitable conditions precisely for the Alesya apples to be stored for a long time. And they did not lose their properties, both flavoring and useful.

Apple tree Alesya: description of the variety and characteristics

Apple tree Alesya: photo of the variety

Apple tree Alesya is a variety that is classified as a late winter hybrid. It was obtained as a result of the experiments of Belarusian breeders, who sought to cross such apple varieties as Banana and Belorusskoe raspberry. As a result, the apple variety Alesya turned out, which absorbed the features and characteristics of both parents.

The tree turned out to be quite small, undersized, while the bark has a very deep dark, brown shade. Shoots are glabrous and round, of medium size. The crown is round, very compact. However, it is not too thick, which makes it even more attractive. The leaves are very small, of a standard shade, like any other apple crops. In this case, the leaves may be slightly wrinkled, in general they have a matte sheen. The flowers are also medium in size and pinkish in color, with a very delicate and pleasant aroma during flowering, which is stable.

It is also worthwhile to separately talk about the fruits that are obtained on these trees. The Alesya apple variety produces medium-sized fruits belonging to the medium-one-dimensional category. They are rounded, may be slightly flattened. At the same time, on average, the weight of one fruit can reach about 150 grams, and if low-growing rootstocks were made, then, accordingly, Ales' apples on them can be even smaller. The main color of the skin is golden, and on top the fruits are covered with a blush, which is expressed by reddish stripes, which makes it seem that the apples are initially red in color.

As we have already said, the Alesya apple variety belongs to the medium-sized, the maximum that the trees reach in height is four meters, no more. When a tree is about ten years old, at this time it can only be about three meters, no more. In general, such dimensions for the gardener himself are only a plus, since it is much more convenient for him to harvest from a small tree, and, of course, it is also much easier to care for a small crop. Alesya is an apple tree belonging to the spur type of culture, therefore it is characterized by such a feature as a low tendency to form new shoots. In general, this can have a special effect on the fact that the growth of this tree is rather slow, especially if you follow the trends of annual growth.For a year, a tree can give an increase of about one meter, then, in ten years, the remaining one and a half meters will stretch very strongly. This is some of the specifics of this variety, although many gardeners note that it is even much easier for them to care for the crop, since a small and neat tree is easier to form, it is easier to protect it from strong frosts, it is easier to do something with the crown, if necessary ... The process of harvesting the crop itself is also simplified, so in principle there are some advantages. In addition, the tree is very compact and looks neat on the garden plot, it can be planted not so far from other trees, so the impression of some comfort and some overcrowding of fruit crops is created.

Apples Alesya: photo of the variety

If the gardener creates the most correct conditions for the fruiting of the Ales apple tree, then the harvest will be given annually. It is also worth noting that even despite some characteristics of the tree, its harvest is very stable, and even if the tree in one of the years gave too abundant harvest, this does not mean that in the next season there may be no harvest at all - it will be, and will also be very worthy. If you grow an apple tree on a suitable rootstock (experienced gardeners recommend taking a medium-sized rootstock of 54-118 centimeters, and the crown will be sparse), then they will give a yield that will reach about twenty tons per hectare. This suggests that the apple variety is also ideal for growing Alesya in the future, not only for personal use, but also for an industrial scale.

Ales' apples are very juicy. The pulp has a pure, creamy whitish hue, while it is also very sweet with a pronounced sourness. If the fruits are stored for a long time, then the pulp becomes sweeter, but at the same time it has a looser consistency. At the same time, the aroma of Ales' apples is not lost, it remains throughout the winter. As for the professional assessment from the tasters, it is about 4.3 points out of 5. Most likely, this indicator is noted due to the fact that the apples are still quite sour, and in order to wait for their sweetness, it is worth waiting a few tens of days when it comes full fruit ripening.

The apple variety Alesya has a high level of frost resistance, perfectly tolerates winter temperature drops. From a professional point of view, this is an immune winter variety that is great for growing even in not the most suitable conditions, so this factor should be paid special attention to. The plant is very resistant to various dangerous diseases, including powdery mildew and scab. They can have a very strong effect on the plant, but in general, Alesya does not often get sick with these diseases, for which she should be given credit. Even if an epidemic of diseases suddenly occurs, then in general, if the gardener provides the plants with all the necessary care, then they rarely get sick and practically do not die due to these diseases, so you should pay attention to this and take this into account when choosing various care measures and measures , including prophylactic ones.

The apple variety Alesya has both its advantages and some disadvantages. Of course, we cannot ignore them, since it largely depends on them whether this variety will be chosen as one of the main ones for growing in garden conditions or not. First, let's note some positive aspects of the Ales apple tree:

• Ales apples can lie for a very long time, and at the same time they do not lose their taste at all
• winter hardiness of the variety is very high, which is also an undoubted plus
• the growth of the tree itself is very low, due to which, in principle, it is very convenient to take care of it and collect the resulting crop
• one of the advantages is that this variety belongs to environmentally sustainable varieties.This means that the tree can be planted even in urban conditions - it will still grow and bear fruit.
• the yield is very stable, at a high level, which is also a huge plus
• when Ales' apples reach ripeness, they can hang on the tree for a long time. At the same time, they do not crumble, and this is also a rather positive point. Even when the apples are fully ripe, they do not crumble.

At the same time, according to the gardeners themselves, the Alesya apple tree has absolutely no flaws, it gives excellent fruits that respond well to storage and transportation. The tree itself is completely unpretentious, if we talk about care measures, therefore, in principle, this variety has significant positive characteristics and advantages, which just cause such love and recognition from gardeners and gardeners who grow an apple tree for personal purposes, and with the goal of more extensive industrial production. In the next part of this article, we will take a closer look at the features of planting and subsequent care of planted apple trees.

Apple tree Alesya: planting and care

Apple tree Alesya: photo of the variety

Due to the fact that the apple tree of the Alesya variety turns out to be very small in height and very compact, in general it is not necessary to choose too large territories and areas for planting. But still, you should not plant a tree in shaded places, as well as where there is too strong wind or draft. Like any fruit crop, the Alesya apple tree responds well to good illumination of the territory, as well as to relatively safe areas located on the hills. Then there is a high probability of protecting the tree from negative influences, as well as protecting its root system from interaction with groundwater, which can be quite dangerous.

Apple tree seedlings Alesya can be planted both in spring and autumn. If you plant an apple tree in the fall, then the tree will have much more time for the root system to strengthen and adapt to new conditions. This is considered the key to the excellent survival rate of the tree in new conditions. Especially such a planting time, that is, in the fall, it is recommended in the regions that are in the South. Spring planting allows the seedling to grow stronger before the first cold and frosty weather. At the same time, it is best to plant a seedling in the spring in the northern regions, or regions that do not differ in climate stability and stability. In this case, the tree will be safer, but still it is worth keeping an eye on it so that frostbite or excessive hypothermia of the culture, its upper and root parts, does not occur.

If the seedling is planted in the autumn, then it is necessary to wait for the moment when all the leaves are dropped. At this time, all the strength of the growth and development of the tree is aimed exclusively at supporting the capabilities and vital activity of the root system, which just plays into the hands of the gardener. The pit for planting must be prepared in advance, so that the soil has time to settle, and so that the pit takes the correct shape and appearance. The depth should be a little more than half a meter, and the width of the planting pit should be about 80 centimeters, since the tree is quite small, and it does not need a large-sized pit for planting. A peg is placed in the very center of the pit, which will later become a support for the seedling, and it is to this that the seedling will be tied. The height of the peg should be at least one and a half to two meters.

It is best to take part in planting together: one person supports the seedling, and the second gently straightens the root system and falls asleep. You can tamp the soil lightly to prevent air pockets from forming around the roots. This can negatively affect the plant itself, it can begin to mope, it can also wither away.In this case, it is worth thoroughly moistening the planting; for this, at least three buckets of settled water are used. Further, the seedling is tied to a peg, it is better to do this carefully, without squeezing the seedling trunk itself, otherwise this can lead to the development of abnormalities or some kind of disease. It is also worth mulching a circle that is located near the trunk, then the moisture will evaporate much more slowly, and at the same time the plant will be protected from attacks from pests and from bacteria, which usually cause various diseases. Also, mulch can maintain a favorable temperature of the trunk circle, which is also a very important aspect.

Apple tree Alesya: photo of the variety

If the planting of a seedling is carried out in the fall, then absolutely no fertilizers can be applied. So the plant will form its own immunity, thanks to which it will be more prepared for the winter period. Only when the cold weather begins to gradually subside, it will be possible to apply complex mixtures and mineral fertilizers, as well as some organic additives that will provide the plant with comprehensive support. Thanks to the application of fertilizers, the tree will wake up faster after hibernation, sap flow will also begin more actively, which will have an excellent effect on the general condition and appearance of the tree.

Ideally, it is best to keep a distance of about five meters between trees. If the trees are planted in rows, then the distance between the rows should be at least three meters. Again, a lot also depends on what kind of rootstock the trees were, since usually the distance between plantings can depend on this, the appearance of the backyard garden plot itself after the trees reach a certain height and will not look like teenagers, but how full-fledged cultures.

Like any other fruit crops, the Alesya apple tree also needs grooming procedures. This includes several types of pruning, crown shaping and, of course, fertilizing with mineral and organic substances. When a seedling is just placed on the site, it must be formed every year. Thanks to this procedure, fruiting will be carried out much faster, and also thanks to the formation, the life cycle of the plant can be extended, which, of course, will have an excellent effect on the duration and abundance of the harvest period. Also, timely and complex feeding has an excellent effect on the yield and on the development of the plant. Without nutrition, the tree can begin to wilt, its growth and development slows down noticeably. As a result of the fact that the immunity is noticeably reduced, the tree may become ill, and as a result, it may die altogether. If we talk directly about agrotechnical rules and measures, then they include the following:

• in order for the apple tree to develop correctly and give excellent yield indicators, it is necessary to timely apply mineral and organic fertilizers
• the apple tree Alesya needs regular watering, but here it is worth paying attention to the climatic conditions, since if the weather is too dry, then watering should be increased, but if precipitation is observed, then watering can be reduced for a while, make it less intense
• the near-stem circle is necessarily mulched, since mulch has several functions - it protects the circle from attacks from pests and fungi, moisture evaporates much more slowly, and the soil does not freeze. Ideally, the soil can be mulched with a mixture that includes peat and straw, or a circle can be made from ordinary humus.

It is recommended to start pruning the next year after the seedling has been placed in open ground. It is also best to remove all dry and unnecessary branches before the buds open and the process of sap flow begins. Each year, the growth that will be formed is recommended to be cut by about one third.Thanks to pruning, the tree will grow much more intensively, the branches will form in the correct shape and direction of growth, and after a while the same branches will begin to bear fruit with excellent and, most importantly, very tasty apples. Also, ovaries and fruits must sometimes be thinned out. This measure is intended so that the branches are not unnecessarily overloaded with fruits, as well as for the harvest to be tasty and, most importantly, very large. It is believed that when a large number of apples are tied, then the tree does not have enough resources to ensure that all the fruits are perfect. Therefore, it is better to help the apple tree - to remove some of the ovaries, then the strength of the tree will definitely be enough to make the remaining fruits excellent, tasty, incredibly large and, most importantly, also very useful. Also, some branches must be supported so that they are not damaged or broken under the weight of the crop. But this should be done only when the tree is not very mature, when it is still very small, but has already entered the fruiting stage, and the yield can be quite high.

Apple tree Alesya is a self-fertile variety that needs pollinating varieties that will be planted nearby. Ideally, bees can also be pollinators. To further attract them to the tree, you can spray its crown with a sweet solution of water and sugar. Pollinating varieties should have the same flowering periods as the Alesya apple tree, then there is a great guarantee that they will be perfect for pollination of this particular variety. The variety has a chain type of fruiting. Because of this, growth can be noticeably slowed down, especially when the tree reaches ten years of age, this becomes even more obvious. The fruits are placed very tightly on the branches, so that they can be picked directly in small groups of three or four apples.

Apple tree Alesya: photo of the variety

As for the beginning of the fruiting process, it directly depends on the type of rootstock of the tree. So, if it was a clonal stock, then fruiting can begin as early as the third year after the seedling has been placed on the site. If the stock is of the seed type, then fruiting will not begin earlier than five days, and the gardener should have patience in order to wait for the very first own apples of the Alesya variety. Like any other hybrids, the flowering time of the Ales apple tree depends solely on the region in which the tree grows, and what temperature regime is observed and recorded there. As a rule, the standard flowering occurs around the period from April to May, and it lasts about ten days. The flowers are large, have a persistent and very pleasant fresh scent that can attract pollinating insects (usually bees).

The maturation of the technical order begins either at the end of September or at the very beginning of October. The timing may shift if the tree grows in a more central or northern part of the country. But if we talk directly about the consumer ripeness of fruits, then it just comes in December: the fruits become the sweetest, the most pleasant to the taste, retain an incredibly attractive apple aroma. Apple tree Alesya also differs in that it can be stored for a very long time, and this is its huge advantage over many other apple varieties. If the gardener creates the most favorable and correct conditions for storing apples, then they can be eaten in the future from the end of December to the very beginning of May. Agree. This is a very long period, given that the fruits do not lose their taste or external characteristics at all. Also, the fruits can be transported over long distances, they tolerate transportation well.

Experienced gardeners say that the Ales apple variety can be grown in absolutely any region of Russia.For example, in the districts of the Moscow region, also in the Central lane, in the regions of the Non-Black Earth Region, the variety is excellently grown, is not whimsical or demanding, does not cause absolutely any problems. Also, the tree does not require any special attention or care, it tolerates all conditions, except that you need to comply with the most standard agrotechnical requirements in order to achieve a strong tree and perfect fruiting.

Conclusion

In Altai and Siberia, in the Urals, very harsh climatic conditions are observed - they are unstable, rather harsh, and here some difficulties may arise with a tree of this variety. The Alesya apple variety belongs to the late winter category, and there is a risk that the fruits will not reach their full ripeness. Accordingly, ideal taste characteristics will not be achieved, which is why the variety may lose its significance and leadership position among late winter varieties. In addition, if severe frosts are observed, this will lead to the fact that the tree may freeze completely. In conclusion, I would like to note that, unlike many other varieties and hybrids, the Alesya apple tree has become so popular not by accident. The fruits can be stored for a very long period, while they retain their external characteristics, taste properties, qualities, they can be transported over long distances, they can be grown both on a private farm and on a wider, industrial scale. Full care, tracking the plant and its condition at every stage of development - all this allows you to easily achieve an excellent and very plentiful harvest, which will also be very tasty. As a rule, apple trees of the Alesya variety really respond perfectly to the attention and care from gardeners and, accordingly, one can expect from them a delicious and timely harvest in gratitude, which can be enjoyed for a very long time due to the keeping quality of the fruits. At the same time, the Alesya apple variety perfectly adapts to a wide variety of conditions, it is not capricious and unpretentious, the fruits can be obtained from trees that originally grew in not the most favorable conditions.

Apple tree Alesya: video about the variety