Apple variety Zvezdochka
The Zvezdochka apple variety was developed by Professor S.F. Chernenko, crossing the varieties 'Anis scarlet' and 'Pepinka Lithuanian'. The asterisk apple tree is a vigorous tree that has a rounded crown at a young age. Over time, the crown becomes spreading and drooping. At 20 years old, apple trees reach a height of 5.5 m with a crown diameter of 6.5 m.
The trees are characterized by long, thin, reddish-brown, heavily pubescent shoots and small, serrated, oval leaves at the edges, sitting on a short petiole.
Spread
The variety is characterized by a fairly wide distribution area. The regions of its zoning are the Central regions of Russia: North-West, Central, Volgo-Vyatka, Srednevolzhskaya.
Fruiting, harvesting and storage of crops
Fruiting begins 5 to 7 years after the seedling is grafted. Trees grown on dwarf rootstocks begin to bear fruit in 3 - 5 years. Fruiting is characterized by regularity and average yield.
This apple tree belongs to the winter varieties. The crop is harvested in early autumn.
From a 12 - 18-year-old tree of the Zvezdochka variety, up to 110 kilograms of apples can be harvested per year. The record harvest for this variety is 211 kilograms.
Fruits acquire consumer maturity during storage. Already in October, they are quite suitable for consumption.
Zvezdochka apples are excellent keeping quality. They are stored in an ordinary basement for up to 7 months: they are able to stay until February - April, without losing their presentation.
Fruit characteristics
The Zvezdochka apple tree belongs to the table and dessert varieties. The fruits are of medium size. They weigh from 85 to 130 grams, but you can find specimens weighing 170 g.
Apples are flattened-rounded with a bluish waxy bloom and a short thin stalk. They are characterized by an attractive deep red blush and a delicious sweet and sour taste. The fruits harmoniously combine sugars (9 - 10%) and acid (0.5 - 1%). Apples are rich in vitamin C: fruits contain 7 - 12 mg%. The pulp is white or greenish, sometimes pinkish, juicy and tender, contains a small amount of seeds.
When viewed from the side of the stalk, a star is formed due to the presence of a slight ribbing, for which the apple tree got its name.
Care and reproduction
Care for this culture is normal. But there is one peculiarity: so that the size of the fruits does not become smaller, the trees must be cut regularly.
The Zvezdochka apple tree is characterized by average winter hardiness.
The best result is obtained by using large-fruited forms for rootstock ‘Chinese women'. In this case, 80 - 85% of the planting material is obtained at the exit.
Pests and diseases
Trees of this variety have increased scab resistance.
Advantages and disadvantages
TO merits Asterisk varieties include:
- regular productivity;
- high palatability;
- intense coloring;
- long-term storage.
Disadvantages varieties are the annual decrease in the size of the fruit, the volume of the harvest and the decrease in the quality of apples.
Application
Apples are used fresh and are also suitable for processing. The variety is used in breeding.
We have been growing the Zvezdochka variety for 20 years in unsuitable conditions (high groundwater level, the climate is rather harsh - the Kirov region) and the variety pleases us with its harvests. I recommend the variety, but so that the fruits do not shrink, make the crown less often in the spring.
Kilogram 500 - 600 this year!
I live in the central part of Russia and I grow this variety on two personal plots. The distance between the sites is more than 85 km. As a result, apple trees are in different conditions. The harsh winter of 2016 - 2017survived well, although many trees of other varieties froze, and some varieties of pears died. The frosts were below minus 40 ° C.
The asterisk combines two basic qualities that are rarely found in our area. Tastes great (sweet and juicy) and keeps well. Subject to the temperature regime + 2 ... + 3 degrees, they are stored until February. Excellent winter hardiness.
The taste of apples depends on the area a little; the fruits of one of the trees have a slight bitterness. Fruits are about 4 - 5 cm in size. In old trees, growth is weak, branches are thin. To increase winter hardiness and size of the fruit, I prune excess branches of one-year growth once every three years.