Apple is a fruit species that is one of the most popular for cultivation in our region. Most likely, you already have an apple tree planted in your yard, but you can always plant a new seedling, i.e. a new variety or clone, for example: Gala fundeka, Gala schmiga, Jonaprice, Red jonaprice, Superchief, Elstar Elrosa, Red delicious Early red one, Jeromine, Golden Delicious Reindeers…
Growing apples
After planting an apple tree, growing an apple tree does not require much effort during the year.
Irrigation of apples
It is preferable to keep the soil moist in the first year of planting, and in later years to water the plant in periods without rain and when there are high temperatures, as well as during intense fruit growth. Older plants are more resistant to drought and high temperatures, but they also require irrigation.
Apple fertilization
Fertilization is done during the winter rest period. Fertilizer application is carried out around the perimeter of the crown with some of the artificial fertilizers for fruit crops with a reduced dose of nitrogen (eg NPK -8-16-24). It is also possible to carry out top dressing during the growing season (eg KAN).
Apple pruning
Apple pruning is done during the rest of the vegetation, ie in the winter period. The method of pruning depends on the desired growing form, substrate and variety. You can read about pruning in a separate chapter. We also have green pruning, i.e. pruning during the growing season, which you can also read about in a separate chapter.
Apple planting
If you don’t have an apple tree in your yard, planting an apple tree is a good investment, because there is nothing sweeter than eating a freshly picked apple in the fall from a tree that you grew. In our nursery you can find an extremely large number of apple varieties.
The best place in the yard to plant an apple seedling is a well-sunned area. Planting is done in autumn or early spring. A 40 x 40 cm hole is dug, the veins of the seedlings are cut a little for refreshment, the seedling is placed in the hole and covered with soil. It is necessary to pay attention that there are no air pockets that cause the seedling to dry out. The soil is trampled well and watered with plenty of water. Cut the top of the seedling to the desired height, that is, depending on the growing form. The most commonly used rootstocks for apple are M 9, M 26 and MM 106. They differ in lushness from the weakest to the most lush.
The most common diseases and pests of apples
You can see the complete apple protection program on the following link.
www.agromarket.rs/srb/zastita-bilja/programi-zastite/1018/Jabuka
Apple picking
As with most fruit trees, the easiest way to determine the time of harvest is to test the taste of the fruit. You can also gently take the apple in your hand and turn it. If the fruit together with the stem separates from the branch, then you can continue harvesting, if not, then wait a few more days.
Storage of apple fruits
Properly stored apples can be stored at home for several months. The room should be dark, with increased humidity (to prevent drying of the fruit), with a temperature of 2-5 C. Excellent places for storage in home conditions are basements or garages. Apples should be stored in wooden or plastic crates. From time to time it is necessary to check the crates, and if there are rotten fruits, they should be thrown out.
Recipes: Tufahije
Cook peeled whole apples with a little water, vanilla, lemon juice and apple peel for 15-20 minutes. Fill the drained apples with a mixture of sugar, ground hazelnuts, ground walnuts, cinnamon and a little syrup left over from cooking. You can decorate all this with whipped cream.