Lobo apple variety

This apple tree belongs to the group of winter varieties. Lobo was obtained from the seeds of the local variety Mekintosh (Mac, McIntosh), at the Ottawa Experiment Station by free pollination. It appeared in Russia relatively recently, state tests on it were started in 1971. Initially, it was included in the State Register of Zoned Varieties for the Central Black Earth Region (1972). Lobo inherited high taste from the parent variety. For amateur orchards, this apple tree is still a novelty, but it has good prospects for widespread distribution.

Characteristics of varietal characteristics... The Lobo apple tree is characterized by a relatively high yield (above average). The fruiting regime is annual. It enters the fruiting period early and quickly increases its yield, which allows it to be classified as an intensive type. The fruits have an excellent dessert taste and aroma. They are medium in size, 100 - 180 g, flat-rounded. Fully ripe fruits are dark crimson (50 - 100%) covered with a noticeable waxy coating. The pulp is very tender, almost white in color, the taste is sweet and sour. Taste on a five-point scale is highly rated - from 4.4 to 4.8 points. The peel of apples is shiny, thin; sometimes a fine mesh of corking is slightly expressed. The harvest time is shortened and usually takes about ten days (from September 25 to October 5). Apples are well preserved (October - January) and transportable.

According to most data, winter hardiness of the variety is estimated to be above average. The grafted branches in the crown of winter-hardy trees retain fruit buds and yield crops even after particularly harsh winters when temperatures drop to 36 ° C. A more guaranteed way of growing is grafting on a hardy stock (medium-sized 'Progress' is suitable). The apple tree can be grafted onto a dwarf rootstock and formed in bush and stanza form. You can not graft Lobo on Chinese women and their seedlings.

The variety is affected by scab (resistance is considered weak, and leaves are more affected) and powdery mildew. Resistance rates to these diseases fluctuate; in favorable climatic conditions in the absence of high humidity, trees practically do not get sick.

Features of crown formation... Lobo apple trees are of the medium-sized type, although at a young age they grow quite quickly. The sparse crown of the tree changes shape as it grows from high-rounded to wide-rounded. Branches are flexible, curved, sometimes drooping, of medium thickness. Leaves are usually large, oval, heart-shaped base. The stalks are short and thick. The flowering intensity is medium. Fruiting is concentrated mainly on ringlets and fruit twigs, so trees need rejuvenating pruning.

This variety can be grown on all types of hardy rootstocks. Depending on the climatic conditions, dwarf rootstocks of medium and vigorous types are used. In the standard form, it can be grown in the southern and middle regions of the European part, in the regions of the north, the aboveground part is subject to freezing to the level of snow cover. Due to the preserved branches, the tree is well restored, which is facilitated by the tendency to grow rapidly.

Growing areas... The Lobo apple tree is resistant to arid conditions, which makes it possible to successfully grow in the Volga region and to the south (Saratov region). Distributed in the Moscow region and the Urals region. Beyond the Urals, there is experience in growing this standard winter variety in the Omsk region. In stanza form, it is grown in amateur gardens of the Novosibirsk region and the Altai Territory.