Apple variety Bogatyr

The Bogatyr variety was obtained by Semyon Fedorovich Chernenko, a Soviet scientist, fruit breeder in 1925 in Ukraine. It was approved by Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin and successfully zoned first in the black earth regions, then in central Russia. Today the variety grows and bears fruit with success practically throughout Russia; gardeners, once planting and receiving the first harvest, fall in love with this variety forever.

The Bogatyr variety was created as a late winter variety: apples are harvested of "stone" strength, ripen when lying, become fragrant, do not lose their qualities until the end of May. Recognized by breeders as the most productive late winter variety. The hero was obtained by crossing the famous Antonovka (she gave this apple tree vitality and winter hardiness) and Renet Landsberg, who, in addition to its huge size, also gave the variety a noble taste.

The Bogatyr apple tree is high - up to 4.5 m with a 6-meter spreading crown, transparent to the center. The branches of medium thickness are firmly attached to the trunk, the bark is olive green. In the inner part of the crown, there are practically no newly growing branches, it is almost bare. Oval leaves with one- or two-toothed serration of the edge, pubescent on the underside. Attached to the twigs with dark red petioles.

Apple flowers are slightly smaller than usual, pinkish-white. The anthers of the flowers are located 2–3 mm below the stigmas.

Fruits are formed mainly on ringlets and, less often, on twigs in the middle and outer parts of the crown. Up to three apples can form on the pods.

The shape of the fruit is flattened-round, tapering to the calyx with a cone. Apples are mostly large with smooth skin, of the same type, remain light green before being removed, turn yellow during storage. On the south side, apples develop a bright red blush with very noticeable stripes in some sunny years. The skin of the entire deep, narrow funnel is rough and rusty. The closed cup is located in a ribbed saucer.

The flesh of the fruit is fine-grained, dense, white and crispy. The taste is harmonious sweet and sour, refreshing with a pronounced aroma. Unlike maternal Antonovka, Bogatyr has less acid, he is sweeter.

The fruits of the apple tree are firmly held on the pods until they are picked. Removable maturity occurs by mid-September, but breeders advise to remove apples as late as possible, as early removed apples may shrink during storage. The variety reaches consumer maturity in the middle - end of December, at which time the fruits of the maternal Antonovka are already losing their qualities, becoming friable and darkening. The fruits of the Bogatyr, taken on time, remain until the end of May, sometimes until mid-July, without losing their aroma and crunchiness. When picking, the marketability of the fruits is estimated as high - 89%, of which the highest and first grade - 61%. The average weight of apples is 160 g, the maximum is up to 400 g.

Fruiting of the Bogatyr apple tree is early: after budding for 6 - 7 years, after planting in the garden for 3 - 4 years. The yield is growing very quickly, by the age of 9, up to 60 kg can be removed from the apple tree, and the harvested crop from a 16-year-old tree is 80 kg. The maximum yield, subject to all agricultural practices, can be 130 kg. Apple is harvested every year, unlike the same Antonovka, although periodically the weight of the crop may decrease.

The apple tree Bogatyr is resistant to scab.

Apples of the variety are good when soaked, compotes from them are unusually fragrant, fruits practically do not boil in jam.

The variety's transportability is surprisingly high, which attracts farmers' attention when setting up marketable apple orchards.

Advantages of the variety:

- early fruiting;
- stable high yields;
- high marketability of fruits;
- excellent portability;
- long keeping quality;
- high palatability;
- resistance to scab;
- good winter hardiness.

Disadvantages:

- green color of apples at removable maturity,
- a little too big the size of rustiness.