Apple-tree Sokolovskoe

This natural dwarf has many fans: both private gardeners and farms. There are reasons for this, which lie in the small growth of these fruit trees. This property of the Sokolovskoe apple variety allows rational use of the planting area and creates convenience in tree care. In addition, the crowns do not shade nearby plants, and pruning and harvesting of fruits does not present any difficulties. The apple tree Sokolovskoye will be discussed in detail in this article.

Apple tree Sokolovskoe: variety description and characteristics

Apple tree Sokolovskoe: photo of the variety

The Sokolovskoye apple variety was bred by like-minded breeders of the Scientific Research Institute in Yuzhno-Uralsk. The Sokolovskoe apple variety was obtained by free pollination of the Vydubetskaya Plakuchey apple variety. As a result, it turned out to be a popular variety in the Urals; it was also zoned there in the 21st century.

The color of the bark and branches is dark brown. Large, resilient shoots are greenish-brown. The leaves are large, elongated, deep green, they have slight pubescence and small-town edges.

Fruits are medium in size or slightly larger, with a round-flat, one-dimensional shape. Apples are smooth with a shiny skin and erect small stalks. The color of the peel is greenish-yellowish with a red blush. Apple weight - 140-180 grams.

About the characteristics of the variety

Apple-tree Sokolovskoe is a winter variety with all its characteristics. If you pick these apples in the autumn, then they will perfectly last until the bright spring sun. This is a whole storehouse of vitamins for the whole family in winter.

About the advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Sokolovskoye apple tree are: dwarf growth, decent yield, size of apples, high appreciation of taste, high-quality presentation and long shelf life.

The disadvantages of the Sokolovskoye apple variety are: weak bud resistance to low air temperatures, irregular fruiting, lack of endurance to a sultry and arid climate (the quality of fruits changes for the worse).

About the size of mature trees

The Sokolovskoe apple tree is a dwarf tree, therefore it is not tall. If the stock is seed, then the height of the apple tree can reach 2 m, if the clonal stock is 1.5 m.

About the crown and annual growth

The Sokolovskoye apple tree has a flat, horizontal, spreading crown. The increase is small compared to conventional varieties (about 15 percent less), which also decreases every year.

About the frequency of fruiting

The Sokolovskoe apple tree sometimes spends excess nutrients for the development of fruits, therefore sometimes it does not have enough strength for fruit buds for the next year. Therefore, we can talk about irregular fruiting of this variety.

With proper care and timely feeding, thinning of fruit branches and ovaries, fruiting can be regular and annual.

About yield

One undersized tree gives an average of 65 kg of fruit, and this is a good indicator. For an industrial scale, this figure can reach 225 centners per hectare.

About taste

The apples of the variety in question have a wonderful sour-sweetish taste and creamy flesh. The fruit has a dense, fine-grained and juicy texture and a decent tasting rating of 4.3.

Apple tree Sokolovskoye and frost resistance

The fruit buds of the Sokolovskoye apple tree have an average resistance to frost temperatures.The experience of many gardeners suggests that the Sokolovskoye apple variety has good frost resistance.

About disease resistance

The scab does not pose any danger for this variety. Against this background, immunity to other diseases is average.

Apple tree Sokolovskoe: reviews of gardeners

Anatoly Nikolaevich: “Eight years old my Sokolovskoye apple trees, and I have only excellent impressions of them. The main problem is with rodents in winter. I formed the crowns of my apple trees incorrectly, and now I need to protect their lower branches. I advise you to carefully read the advice of professionals on pruning, feeding, care, so as not to repeat my mistakes. "

Rostislav Anatolyevich: “In general, I like dwarf apple trees. They do not take up much space, and the yield from them is decent, enough for the whole family. In general, the variety is not picky. If you can't take care of it with full dedication, then the harvest gives in a year. Since we have other apples, we have enough. This is not a problem for us. "

Alexandra: “I have been growing Sokolovskie apple trees for six years. The fruits are stored for a long time, they like the taste. The jams and preserves made from them are simply amazing! "

Apple tree Sokolovskoe: planting and care

For a decent harvest and good immunity, apple trees should be properly planted and cared for.

More about boarding

Dwarf apple trees of the Sokolovskoye variety are planted in the same way as the classic ones. There are not many features as such, but they will work to ensure that young seedlings take root better and subsequently give an excellent harvest.

It is no secret that dwarf apple trees have a weak root system, and this fact, as it were, calls for a responsible attitude towards the choice of the planting site and the quality of the soil. It is also important to choose the right time for planting, which will positively affect the survival rate of the seedling.

So, best season for disembarkation saplings of Sokolovsky apple trees is the early autumn period or early spring.

Interestingly, it is very good for dwarf apple trees if the location of the groundwater is close.

The preparation of the planting holes is made in advance. If you decide to plant seedlings in the spring, then the holes need to be prepared in the fall; and if in the fall, then 30 days before the expected landing.

For medium and light soils, the pit should have a size of 0.6 × 0.8 m and should be round in shape. For heavier and more clayey soils, the size is 0.8 × 1 m with a depth of 0.8 m.

Planting rules

• First, adjust the planting depth. The level of the root collar of the plant during planting should coincide with the level of the soil surface, taking into account its settlement. At the same time, be careful and try not to confuse the root collar and the graft (its level should be about 7 cm above the soil surface). If the root collar is below the set level, this will reduce the development of the plant, and if the grafts are deepened, your dwarf apple tree can turn into a large tree (increased growth is guaranteed!).
• Distribute the root system correctly. It is necessary to achieve a shallow occurrence of the roots: for this purpose, they are carefully placed at the landing site, avoiding bending of the roots.
• Provide a tight adhesion of the roots to the soil, so that there are no air voids. To this end, the soil must be carefully compacted, taking care not to damage the root system.
• Saplings are planted in the northern part of the planting pit relative to the pegs. All this in order to prevent sunburn of the trunks.
• To equip the trunk circle, they make a deepening and mulch. The apple variety in question loves moisture, it needs watering even in rainy weather.
• A distance of 3 meters is maintained between seedlings. This will further provide sunlight for the trees and act as a prevention against harmful insects.

Apple tree Sokolovskoye: features of agricultural technology

A favorable place for planting the Sokolovskoe apple tree is the southern or southwestern region of the personal plot.It's great if there is some kind of building on the north side that protects the apple orchard from the cold winter wind.

The root system of the Sokolovskoye apple tree has a dense fibrous shape, which indicates low frost resistance. She needs mulching with rotted manure or compost (in a moderate winter, about 0.1 m of mulch thickness will be enough).

To protect the Sokolovskoye apple tree from frost, the trunks and main branches are covered with whitewash. In the spring, you should remove the layer of mulch, clean the trunks of weeds and keep them clean.

In a dwarf apple, the period of active growth is about seven years. At this time, the tree needs certain nutrition for a set of nutrients for the development of branches and fruits. And here you cannot do without root and foliar dressing.

In the spring, mineral fertilizer complexes and organic matter (infusions with mullein or chicken droppings) are suitable. At the beginning of the formation of fruits, it is good to feed with potash and nitrogen fertilizers.

Do not forget about tying to pegs. The roots of the variety in question are shallow in the soil, and therefore can be damaged by winds.

10 years after planting, the trunk circle is raised by about 0.4 meters. Roots begin to grow at the site of the vaccinations. Over time, the tree turns from a dwarf into a normal one in growth and yields a harvest for a long time.

In dry summers, daily watering is required (1 bucket of water / 1 apple tree).

How to trim and shape the crown

A low-growing apple tree of the Sokolovskoye variety, like a tall and thick one, must be properly cut and shaped, and it is better to do this accurately.

By trimming the crowns, fruiting is regulated. Pruning is carried out in the autumn or spring period until the young shoots begin to actively develop.

If you need a compact apple tree, you need to set the direction for the young shoots, while not forgetting that the branches can develop in an uneven way. Taking into account the weak and strong shoots (the stronger ones can clog the weaker ones), it is necessary to regulate their position - the strong ones are left lower than the weak ones. Such pruning must be done on young trees.

If a lot of apples were born, the pruning is increased, unloading the branches and thereby rejuvenating the tree. Overloading the apple tree with fruits reduces the quality and stability of the crop.

Do not forget about the timely cutting of damaged and dried branches.

About pollinating varieties

The Sokolovskoe apple variety is not self-pollinated. For the purpose of pollination, Sokolovskoe is planted next to Kovrov, Snowdrop, Bratchud and other apple trees.

About ripening and fruiting

Apple tree Sokolovskoe: photo of the variety

A distinctive feature of the dwarf apple of the Sokolovskoye variety is the horizontal and low arrangement of branches to the soil, and thus, the creation of a special subsoil microclimate. On such a tree, the buds get more nutrients, lighting, and this affects the noticeable development of strong branches. The temperature regime near the soil has an excellent effect on the growth and strength of the shoots. If you protect the plant from freezing in the winter cold, then these branches will certainly give a decent harvest.

About the beginning of fruiting

The apple tree of the Sokolovskoye variety bears fruit in the 4th year after grafting. But there are exceptions, and the first apples appear in the 3rd year from the moment of planting.

About flowering and ripening of fruits

Dwarf apple trees bloom for a longer time than standard varieties. At first, flowers appear on the lower branches, and later on the upper ones.

The flowering time depends on climatic conditions and temperature values. On average, this period lasts from the 20th of May to 10 June.

About storing apples

The fruits of the Sokolovskoye apple tree are distinguished by long-term storage - up to 4 months. It is important to maintain adequate temperature and humidity while doing this.

Ripening of fruits occurs in the late autumn period, when frost occurs.

Variants of growing apple trees Sokolovskoe

• Dwarf rootstock. For the dwarf apple Sokolovskoye, this option is basic and natural.
• Creeping and weeping. This is not a natural option, but formed by hand by bending branches to the ground.
• Vegetative clonal stock. Such a stock allows you to grow an apple tree up to 1.5 m.

The best region for the Sokolovskoye apple variety is the Urals and Siberia. In the Siberian region, snow caps under apple trees help out from freezing.

The successful cultivation of the Sokolovskoye apple tree was also noted in the Moscow region. It is important not to forget here that this variety does not like heat, even if abundant watering is provided.