Apple tree Firebird

In this article, we will focus on a variety that is very resistant to scab - the Firebird apple tree. In general, many Siberian apple varieties are specially adapted to harsh climatic conditions. The work of breeders does not stand still, and at present there are a lot of varieties that easily adapt to environmental conditions and, at the same time, have high external and taste qualities of the fruit.

Speaking about the regions of Siberia, here you should follow the necessary rules of care when planting and growing apple trees. More on this in more detail.

Apple tree Firebird: characteristic of the variety

Apple tree Firebird: photo of the variety

Apple tree Firebird was bred back in the sixties by famous scientists-breeders headed by Lisavenko M.A. at the Institute of Horticulture of Siberia. The hybrid was obtained by crossing two varieties of apple trees Autumn Joy and Gornoaltaiskoe.

Apple variety The Firebird is considered a summer bird and begins to bear fruit 4 years after planting. At the same time, the tree has an average resistance to winter, but quickly regenerates in spring. The benefits include high immunity to common diseases, as well as the excellent taste of apples.

The negative qualities include the possibility of freezing in especially harsh winters, the small size of the fruits and their short shelf life. In addition, while remaining on the tree, apples quickly overripe.

Apple tree bloom The bird begins to bloom in early summer. The plant is self-fertile, therefore, for fruiting, it is necessary to plant other varieties of apple trees, for example, such as Cherished, Gift to gardeners or Altai ruddy.

Apple tree Firebird bears fruit quite steadily. Moreover, one tree can bear 30-40 kg of fruit. Apples are usually harvested at the end of August, and they lie well for about a month. Experts assess the taste of the fruit at 4.4 points. They are consumed fresh, and also used for blanks.

In general, the apple tree was bred with a recommendation for cultivation in the Altai Territory, as well as in the North-West region.

Apple tree Fire bird: variety description

The apple tree of the Zhar bird variety has an average height and a spherical crown. The thickening is average. By the age of 7, the trunk reaches 3 meters in height, and the apple tree can begin to bear fruit, forming fruits on ringlets.

The branches here are medium in size, slightly pubescent, the leaf plates have a wrinkled, glossy surface. There is pubescence on the reverse side of the leaf. Each fruit has a mass of about 40-50 g. Their color is rich dark red, and the pulp is sweet with a lot of juice.

Apple tree Firebird: reviews

Apples Firebird: photo of the variety

Those gardeners who have already grown this plant on their site note only the positive qualities of apples, especially focusing on the good taste of the fruits: they are sweet and crunchy. In addition, the apple tree Firebird does not require special care. The small size of the fruits is also noted, but with timely feeding, the quantity and quality of the crop increases.

Apple tree Firebird: planting and care

The optimal time for planting apple varieties will be in spring, when the soil has already warmed up enough. Given the weather conditions in Siberia, it is better to plant plants on a hill so that the water does not stagnate and does not contribute to rotting of the root system. In addition, on a mound, the earth will warm up faster in spring. When planting a plant in the fall, you should not do it later than October 10th. For planting, there should be an open, sunny, but protected from drafts place. The mound where the tree will be planted should rise 40 cm above the soil level. It is best to pre-cook it in the fall.

You should also dig up the soil with fertilizers, which are perfect for humus and compost, wood ash and superphosphate. You should put the plant on a mound, carefully straightening the root system and cover the remaining apple tree with soil so that the root collar is 3 cm above ground level.Then watering is carried out using about two or three buckets of water, and a support is also pre-installed, to which in the future will be a young tree is tied.

After the tree of the apple variety Firebird has been planted, a sufficiently thick layer of mulch should be laid out, for which peat or leaves are perfect. If you plant several times on the site, you should maintain a distance of about 4 m from other plants.

Groundwater should not be close to the surface of the earth, otherwise the tree will grow poorly and bear fruit. If the conditions of the site allow, then you can plant in a previously prepared planting pit, adding all the same fertilizers. After this, regular, abundant watering is recommended.

In the future, after planting, it will not be necessary to apply any fertilizers, since they were originally laid.

• Formation

Any apple tree Firebird needs annual crown formation. Usually in Siberia, trees are grown that have a stanza-bush-like shape. When forming this type of crown, you should adhere to the horizontal position of the tree, so that it is better covered under snow in winter. In this case, the branches will be directed upward.

Plants should begin to form in the first year after planting in early summer. The base of the trunk should be horizontal and be about 20 cm above the ground. Thus, the trunk should be formed within 3 years. Those shoots that grow vertically should be constantly shortened several times over the summer. After the base is 3 or 4 m in diameter, you can already form a crown on it. At the same time, there should be no more than two or three vertical branches on the skeletal branches, which will be about half a meter apart. Shoots that are too long should be shortened so that their size does not exceed 60 cm.

As the tree matures, anti-aging pruning should be done. In this case, all vertical shoots are cut to a horizontal base. After each winter period, sanitary pruning should be carried out, where frozen, dry and damaged branches are removed. All cuts must be treated with garden varnish.

• Feeding

At the beginning of autumn, fertilizers should be applied that will contain phosphorus and potassium. At the same time, they are brought in dry under the crown of the tree, and everything is dug up properly.

Humus is added to young seedlings in the spring. When the tree begins to bear fruit, it should be fed with humus every two years. In the spring, superphosphate, potassium salt, ammonium nitrate should be applied in dry form, scattering around the trunk circle and also throughout the site.

If the apple tree Firebird bears fruit very abundantly, it is necessary to use a mullein solution for fertilization, previously infused for a couple of days. Before proceeding with fertilization, the infusion should be diluted approximately 5 times more. Thus, without forgetting about fertilization, the apple tree will delight you with good growth and fruiting.

• Preparing for the winter period

For these weather conditions in Siberia, it is imperative to prepare trees before the winter period so that they do not freeze in winter. Be sure to shed the entire area properly so that the soil is moist to the level of the roots. So there will be less risk that the root system will freeze. In addition, it is necessary to whitewash the trunks and main branches so that the bright sunlight does not burn the crown.

In addition, to insulate the roots of the plant, it should be laid out in a good, thick layer of manure, as well as sawdust and earth, and a 30 cm mound should be formed. When the first snow falls, you should hedge the trees with them, as high as possible so that they do not freeze. It is good if the snow covers not only the trunk, but also the base of the branches.

If there is no snow, then the plant should be insulated with coniferous branches or other covering material, wrapping everything with twine. This will help not only protect the plant from frost, but also from rodents. Even if the branches freeze in winter, they will recover very quickly in the spring, and will also actively bear fruit.

Diseases and pests

Apple tree Firebird: photo of the variety

In order to protect the apple variety Firebird from possible fungal diseases, as well as scab, you should take care of the near-trunk zone: remove weeds, remove leaves and fruits that have fallen off in time. You should also protect all affected and diseased areas of the bark, as pests can hibernate there. In addition, the soil must be constantly loosened so that air can freely pass to the root system.

Conclusion

The apple variety "Firebird" is the best option for growing in the climatic conditions of Siberia, since the tree, despite the weather conditions, grows well and bears fruit. At the same time, the plant requires the most usual care and is distinguished by a bountiful harvest and a high taste of fruits.