It is no exaggeration to say that apple trees are an adornment of any garden. The fruits of this tree are extremely useful for the human body and are simply delicious. In our country, the appearance of the first apple orchards dates back to the 11th century, after which they quickly spread throughout the territory. This culture has several thousand varieties and, for a person who has recently started gardening, it can be extremely difficult to figure out which variety is best to plant on his site.

Inexperienced summer residents are preferable at the initial stage to engage in unpretentious varieties, resistant to diseases and not very responsive to weather changes. This variety is the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree, which has been planted by gardeners for a long time and has received a well-deserved assessment.

Variety history

The variety belongs to sweet and late summer varieties. It owes its appearance to the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing. It was bred through pollination of another variety called Lafram. The second name of this apple tree is not often pronounced - Red Sweet. The Kovalenkovskoe apple got into the State Register of Belarus in 1999 and was recommended for cultivation in the central regions of the country.

Description and characteristics

Apple-tree Stroyevskoe

Kovalenko apple tree is called a real miracle of selection, the reason for this is very sweet and bright apples. The color of the fruit directly depends on the place in which it was located on the tree. Apples become brighter if they are hanging in sunny places. Kovalenkovskoe apples are so sweet that even a hint of acid does not remain in the mouth.

Apple tree Kovalenkovskoe

The fruits of the variety are considered to be quite large. Their weight starts from 150 g on the lower branches and can reach about 200 g at the top. The ripe apple has a regular, but somewhat conical shape. The peel is like a bloom of wax, thin. The pulp contains a lot of sugars, hence the sweet taste.

The apple trees themselves grow well after planting, but in the end they only reach an average height. The strong shoots of the plant are somewhat curved and seem to be confused with each other, which gives the impression of chaos. The crown of the apple tree has a normal density, the leaves are small green. The flowering of the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree occurs in early spring, the flowers are white and large.

When describing the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree, it is worth noting that the variety belongs to the late summer and, for example, in the Moscow region, the crop is harvested no earlier than mid-September. The ripening of the fruits of the variety is uneven, but the fruits hang on the branches quite tightly and you can gradually pick them up without fear that the apples will fall.

According to the characteristics, apples of this variety are not stored for too long, within 1.5 months in a cool room, and in the refrigerator - up to 2 months. The fruits of the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree are suitable for transportation and processing.

Fruiting occurs early enough, already from 6 or 7 years after planting, you can harvest from 40 to 60 kg. Earlier, at 3 or 4 years, the fruits are also harvested, but in smaller quantities.

The Kovalenkovskoe apple tree can be prone to scab if it grows in high humidity conditions. This must be taken into account by gardeners without fail.

Agrotechnics

Apple tree Airlie Geneva

The place of planting the apple tree is an important aspect, because the yield depends on it. When summer residents determine the location for planting seedlings, they are guided by the following parameters:

  • The garden prefers a somewhat elevated and open plot. The taste and appearance of future fruits depend on how much sunlight there will be;
  • In order to prevent decay of the root system and damage by diseases in the presence of a close location to the surface of groundwater, it is necessary to think about drainage outlets;
  • If there is such an opportunity, you can plant young seedlings near the fence, and then they will be more protected from adverse weather conditions, for example, rain or wind;
  • Heavy, clayey lands are not very good for planting apple trees. Loam and sandy loam are better suited.

Important information! To achieve the improvement of clay soil, it is necessary to add sand, but not too much; the acidic soil is corrected with lime.

It will not be superfluous to plant some other varietal apple trees next to the Kovalenkovskoe apple variety, as the yield of the described species increases by an order of magnitude, although pollinators are not a prerequisite. The Valentinovka apple tree, for example, is a self-fertile variety and needs pollination.

When to plant

The best period for planting is certainly autumn or spring, when the root system is calm. When planting in temperate climates, it is preferable to plant from September to mid-October. It should be borne in mind that this must be done no later than 2 or 3 weeks before cool weather and night frosts.

In other regions, such as Siberia or the Urals, it is better to plant young trees in early spring. The trees planted in the fall simply do not have enough time to root well.

Landing

Here is how the young Kovalenkovskoe apple tree is planted:

  • A small mound is made in the dug hole, the roots are straightened and the seedling is placed on this hill;
  • On either side of the pit, a peg is hammered, with a height above the surface of about 80 cm;
  • The roots are covered with fertile soil, easily tamped;
  • It is necessary that the root collar rises 5 cm above the ground;
  • Then the seedling is shed well;
  • Attached to a peg;
  • Mulching is applied.

How to plant correctly

After planting the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree, you need to provide proper care, consisting of watering, feeding and pruning.

The soil under the crown must be periodically weeded and loosened, but not very deeply, so as not to damage the root system.

Watering the seedlings for the first time should be done a week 1 or 2 times, 3 buckets of water per unit, after a while the frequency of moistening is reduced to 1 time per month.

A tree that is already bearing fruit is watered about 5 times per season, but during the dry summer period it is necessary to water more often. When harvesting occurs, there is no need to water the tree. Just before the onset of frost, they spill one last time.

Top dressing

There is no need to feed the Kovalenkovskoe apple tree 1 year after planting, then fertilizers are applied according to the following plan:

  • In the spring, urea is added for growth;
  • Just before flowering, Ideal is sprayed on the crown of the apple tree;
  • Phosphorus and potassium are applied in September.

At the fruiting stage:

  • In March, nitrate and urea are mixed, applied in a circle around the trunk;
  • Superphosphate is used before flowering;
  • When ovaries appear, nitrophosphate is introduced;
  • After harvesting, manure is applied.

Apple trees need pruning throughout the plant's life. In order to form a crown, the tree is pruned in the first 5 years. After this period, anti-aging trims are made.

Diseases and pests

Apple trees of this variety of diseases and pests are most often affected by not quite proper care. Among the diseases, moniliosis and powdery mildew can be observed. They are treated with special preparations such as Hom and Topaz, and they also treat wood with iron vitriol.

Pests, for example, a sawfly or a moth, are also fought with chemical compounds, but there is another good way to get rid of them. Feeders can be placed right in the garden to attract birds to help with pest control.

Advantages and disadvantages

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In addition to the fact that the apples of the Kovalenkovskoye variety have a very good taste, they have other undoubted advantages:

  • Beautiful presentation of apples;
  • Good winter hardiness;
  • Resistant to some diseases;
  • Good harvest;
  • The fruits do not fall off the branches.

Big harvest

Of the minuses, a somewhat thick crown and not too long storage of the crop can be noted. These are almost all the disadvantages.

The Kovalevskaya apple tree gives the gardener fruits that are both tasty, apple-scented and beautiful to look at. The popularity of the variety is strengthening among summer residents due to its positive qualities and good bountiful harvests every year.