Apple variety Champion

Champion is an early winter apple variety of Czech selection, bred in 1970 at the Experimental Station in Golovousy (Czech Republic) in the process of hybridization of two varieties - Golden Delicious x Renet orange Koksa. The variety has gained particular popularity among consumers in the western market (Poland, Germany) and in the eastern part of the continent. Currently, Poland remains the main exporter of Champion apple fruits to European countries. It should be noted that the cost of these apples is relatively high on the European market. But consumers are attracted by the peculiar taste of the fruit and their beautiful bright color. The combination of the high yield of the Champion apple tree with its high market value and ease of production makes it an ideal variety for commercial cultivation. The variety was also widespread in Ukraine (in the steppe, forest-steppe zones and South Polesie), where it was initially tested. First of all, this apple tree is promising for the western part of the Steppe, Forest-steppe and Ciscarpathia.

The trees are weak, the crown is compact, oval, medium thickening. Before the beginning of the fruiting period, growth is quite fast, after which it slows down significantly. Also, growth weakens in years of abundant fruiting, in this case, special crown pruning is used to stimulate it. The main branches are moderately developed, when they leave the trunk, they form an angle of 50 - 70 degrees. The buds are highly excitable, and the ability to sprout is moderate. Mixed fruiting - ringlets, fruit twigs, spears.

Apple blossoms are abundant, amicable, occurs in medium terms. The pollen has an average or above average viability (32 to 60%). In the process of free pollination, from 18 to 31% of the fruits are tied. Since this variety is partially self-pollinated, in order to increase yields, it is recommended to plant pollinating apple trees near its trees. The best among them are the Alkmene varieties, Idared, Alva, Lobo, James Grieve, Florina, Teremok, Gala, Spartan, Pilot, Piros, Pinova and Priam.

The appearance of the fruits of the Champion variety corresponds to its name: apples are large (the average weight of one fruit is 160-200 grams), almost all are one-dimensional, of the correct shape - round-oval. The skin is dry, very thin, but quite firm and elastic. During the period of removable maturity, the main color of the fruits is greenish-yellow, the integumentary color is expressed on a significant surface of the apple in the form of a light orange-red blurry-striped blush. The Champion clones are also known: Champion Arno (top color occupies a more significant part of the surface on the skin of the kidney variation) and Champion Renault (of a sweeter taste, almost completely red in appearance). Often, yellow-gray corky lentils can be seen on the skin of the fruit. The pulp is light cream in color, medium density. The apples are very juicy, fragrant, with an excellent sweet and sour taste (4.5 - 4.7 points on a 5-point tasting scale). First of all, the fruits are used for fresh consumption, but they are also good for processing.

Clone Champion Renault

The period of removable ripeness usually falls on the second half of September (in the conditions of the forest-walled zone and South Polesie); in the climatic conditions of Poland, the harvest is harvested a little later - at the beginning of October. On young apple trees, the fruits are held firmly. In rare cases, after a few years, the apples begin to fall off prematurely. In the case of a delay in harvesting, the fruits are stored worse and lose their taste faster. The consumer period begins 2 weeks after pick-up - in October. When stored in a refrigerator, apples remain fresh for 5 months (until mid-spring), in storage conditions, fruits are stored for no more than 1.5 - 2 months. The transportability of the variety is average; high-quality packaging is required when transporting fruits.

When growing apple trees for commercial purposes, it is advisable to sell ripe fruits immediately after harvest.In the absence of such a possibility, refrigerating chambers with RGS are used for storage.

Clone Champion Renault

The early maturation of the Champion variety is high, the first fruiting occurs in the garden already in the third year after planting the trees. Fruiting is stable. The yield is high. So, an apple tree at the age of 5-6 years yields from 17 to 25 kg of harvest annually, which is very good, given the compact size of the trees.

Average winter hardiness. To provide trees with additional protection in cold climates, it is recommended to wrap the trunks for the winter. Powdery mildew resistance is average. To prevent the disease, it is required to carry out competent timely pruning, taking into account the low intensity of tree growth. Scab resistance is quite high. Defeat of the variety with a bacterial burn is allowed. Bitter pitting may also appear on apples. In order to prevent the development of this disease during the period of intensive growth of vegetative buds (June) and until the time of harvest, it is periodically required to process the foliage with calcium fertilizers. It is desirable to carry out up to 8 - 10 procedures.

When growing this variety, it is preferable to use dwarf rootstocks. When using the M9 rootstock, the first fruiting occurs in the year of planting. To obtain a good color of apples, it is recommended to constantly normalize the number of flowers and ovaries. Also, before harvesting, about 6 weeks in advance, 2-3 procedures of spraying the leaves with phosphorus-containing solutions will be useful.

The main advantages of the Champion variety are: high palatability of fruits and their attractive appearance, high yield and early maturity.

The main disadvantages: a tendency to defeat bitter pitting and bacterial burns.