Starkrimson apple variety

Looking at the neat apple tree of the Starkrimson variety, it does not occur to me that this variety has a rather long history. Its fruits are so attractive and are still popular with buyers. According to available information, this long-liver appeared in the United States, Ohio in 1952. He is a spontaneous somatic mutant (or kidney clone) of the Starking Delicious apple tree (clone Red Delicious). Identified a new mutation by Roy A. Bisbee. The novelty was introduced into production in 1956 by Brothers Stark. Due to the bright color of the fruit, the variety was named Starkrimson, which literally means the Raspberry Star. The apple tree quickly became used in commercial plantings. Even after so many decades, our hero is still considered one of the best varieties of the Delicious type.

In the USSR, the fate of the novelty was initially quite successful. She entered the state variety testing in 1968, after which, in 1974, it was entered into the State Register with admission to cultivation in the North Caucasus region. Due to the high yields and excellent commercial qualities of the fruits, large industrial plantings of this variety began to appear in the region of admission. But in recent decades, interest in mass cultivation of the variety has decreased, due to the strong susceptibility of the tree to scab, which was especially pronounced in intensive plantings. Currently, Starkrimson is absent from the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia. But it remains quite popular in private gardens. It is especially common in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the Rostov Region, and is loved by gardeners in Ukraine and Moldova.

Description

In terms of growth, Starkrimson is inferior to many representatives of the Delicious group. Plants are weak, they rarely reach medium size. By the age of six, the apple tree can reach a height of 2.5 m. But most gardeners try to keep the height of the crop at 2.0 m. True, this description refers to trees on a dwarf rootstock. On a vigorous crop, the height of the culture can reach 4.0 m. The crown has a wide pyramidal shape, but, nevertheless, it is rather compact, rare, which corresponds to the spur type. Over time, the crown takes on a broom-shaped shape. The crown is formed by not too thick skeletal branches extending from the trunk at an acute angle (30 - 60 degrees), but every year they become stronger and stronger. The bark of the trunk and branches is gray-brown, smooth. Shoots are dark brown, slightly pubescent, slightly geniculate, closely spaced internodes. The ends of the shoots are directed upwards. Lentils are light, rounded or slightly elongated. The tree is well leafy. Leaves are of medium size or large, oblong, sometimes ovoid, dark green, contain a lot of green chlorophyll pigment, the apex is weakly pointed, the base is arcuate, the edges are broadly wavy with serrate-crenate edges. The leaf blade is moderately curved along the central vein, the surface is smooth, matte. The petiole is medium in length and width, unpainted, attached to the shoot at an acute angle. Stipules are lanceolate. The flower buds are white-pink, the flowers are white. Fruiting occurs mainly on the annelids, which are formed in large quantities, sometimes on fruits (a short perennial branch ending in several annelids).

The fruits of this apple tree are very attractive in appearance and resemble the famous Delicious variety. The size is medium or large, weighing 180 - 200 g. Apples are not one-dimensional enough, beautiful elongated-conical shape. The ribbing of the surface is medium, especially well expressed in the upper part of the fruit. But smaller apples can be more rounded and without ribbing. The funnel is deep, not very wide, with traces of rustiness. The saucer is of medium width, shallow, and has five protruding hills. The cup is closed. The sub-cup tube is deep, cylindrical.The seminal cavities are small, closed. The axial cavity is narrow. Peduncle of regular length and thickness. The skin is thick, but not hard, dense, dry to the touch, shiny. The surface is covered with a wax coating. The main color is light green, the integumentary color is a dark carmine blush on most of the fruit. On the sunny side, the integumentary color becomes very saturated, acquires a purple hue. The subcutaneous points are light, small, and numerous. The color of the pulp depends on the degree of ripeness. In a slightly unripe apple, the pulp has a light green tint, in a ripe apple it is yellowish, with greenish veins. By consistency, the pulp is quite dense, prickly, crunchy, very juicy and aromatic. The taste is wonderful, sweet, with a slight sourness, dessert. Assessment of tasters from 4.4 to 4.6 points. Under the conditions of the Krasnodar Territory, 100 g of pulp accumulates: dry matter 14.8%, sugars from 9.0% to 11.2%, titrated acids 0.22%, ascorbic acid 4.0 - 6.1 mg, P-active substances 145 mg.

Characteristics

• The main characteristic of the Starkrimson apple that attracts gardeners is its early maturity. On a dwarf rootstock, the first apples appear already in the 2nd year after planting, on the 3rd you can already collect, albeit small so far, but a high-quality harvest. On a vigorous rootstock, fruiting will have to wait about 5 years;
• in terms of ripening, the variety belongs to the winter, although it is often referred to as late autumn. Removable ripeness of fruits occurs at the end of September. But the consumer period only starts in December. Apples must be matured in order to acquire their wonderful taste;
• flowering takes place in medium terms and is very fleeting. During the flowering period, the crop is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. If at this moment recurrent frosts, rains or fog occur, the yield will be weak;

• the productivity of this crop is excellent. The main quality that allows you to achieve such results is the ability of the variety to increase yields from year to year. In warm Crimea, the variety shows good results, but they depend on the stock. So, at 7 years old, one tree on a small-growing stock brings 16.0 - 20.0 kg, or 35.0 t / ha. On a vigorous rootstock, 15.0 - 18.0 kg, or 20 t / ha. Other sources give data on 160 kg from one adult apple tree;
• The frost resistance of the variety is average, but not sufficient to withstand unfavorable winters in cool regions. According to reviews, Starkrimson winters well at minus 25 ° C, but there is evidence from gardeners that the tree did not freeze even at minus 28 ° C. Of course, there are nuances behind the dry numbers. If the culture is planted in a lowland or on waterlogged soils, then even with a favorable winter, it can freeze;
• immunity is also far from desired. For example, the already noted weak scab resistance can not only spoil the appearance of the fruit, but also weaken the already insufficient frost resistance of the tree. During storage, the fruit may suffer from bitter pitting. Our hero is more resistant to powdery mildew. But still, gardeners note that with good care and timely treatments, Starkrimson can show a fairly high resistance to the main diseases of the culture. Of the pests, it is most often affected by the moth;
• drought resistance is low. In the dry season, apples are small, not very juicy, and their taste suffers. To get a large-fruited crop, watering should be carried out on time;
• the size of the fruit also depends on the congestion of the tree. The larger the ovary, the smaller the mass of each apple will be. Therefore, the variety also needs rationing;
• ripe apples on a branch hold quite tightly. But during a period of drought or prolonged rains, it can partially crumble;
• transportability is high. Strong skin protects fruit well from damage that occurs during transportation;
• in the refrigerator, the crop can be stored until March - April, without a refrigerator - until January. During storage, the palatability improves. True, in order to prevent the pulp from becoming loose during storage, you need to harvest on time;
• first of all, the fruits are consumed in their natural form, they are used as a dessert, combined with honey and nuts, added to fruit salads. In addition, the crop is quite suitable for various processing - for jam, jam, jam, compote.

Pollinators

The Starkrimson apple tree is self-fertile. In order for a large and high-quality harvest to start, pollinators are needed, which bloom at the same time as our hero. The following varieties will best cope with this task: Idared, Gloucester, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Melrose, Spartan, Ruby Dooks. But it is not necessary to plant these trees in your garden, it is enough for them to grow with neighbors.

Agrotechnics

The Starkrimson variety cannot be called unpretentious. In order for a tree to develop normally and bear fruit every year, you need to know some of the nuances of growing. Planting is best done in the fall, three weeks before the onset of persistent cold weather. If you plant it in the spring, you will have to pay more attention to the plant, since there will be a need for frequent watering. The requirements for soils are usual, it is desirable that it be loose and nutritious loams or chernozem. A warm, sunny place is required. Lowered areas where moisture and cold air accumulate are not suitable for planting. Watering is carried out in such a way that the soil during the growing season is in a moderately moist state. In a hot and dry period, watering is required, since even a short period of moisture deficiency will negatively affect the yield. Top dressing is another factor worth paying attention to. The plant is very responsive to the use of complex mineral fertilizers, which, together with standard nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, contain other trace elements necessary for the variety. For example, with a lack of calcium, the fruits will suffer from vitreousness and bitter pitting. These diseases can significantly reduce shelf life.

Separately, I would like to say about the prevention of fungal diseases, in particular - scab. In the spring, before budding begins, the apple tree should be treated with one of the antifungal drugs. The most popular is the Bordeaux blend. You can also use Abiga Peak, Raek, Horus. In unfavorable years, the treatment is carried out more than 3 times, changing the preparations. In the fall, fallen leaves should be removed from the trunk circle, which can become a favorable refuge not only for diseases, but also for pests.

The Starkrimson apple tree is very popular with gardeners. This small but fruitful tree will undoubtedly adorn any garden. A big plus is the early maturity, which will not make you wait long for the first harvest. Apples, which have high commercial qualities, are perfectly stored until spring; many tasty and healthy preparations can be prepared from them. But the plant will delight only the hardworking gardener. Without timely watering, fertilizing and a suitable pollinator, you cannot count on good fruiting. Rationing and correct pruning are also key to the harvest. Low scab resistance will require timely preventive treatments.