The climatic conditions of the Moscow region are characterized by relatively low winter temperatures, as well as rainy and cool summer weather. Such a microclimate of the region often causes freezing, the development of fungal and viral diseases that threaten many plants, including apple trees. Problems with the cultivation of these fruit trees can be avoided only if you choose resistant varieties with excellent genetic immunity. We will try to talk about them in detail later in the article.
How to choose an apple variety
Variety apple trees should be chosen taking into account its agrotechnical characteristics, yield and taste characteristics of the fruit. An important indicator is the ripening period of apples. It is possible to objectively evaluate all the qualities of a particular variety only by comparing several types of culture. In our article we will describe the best varieties apple trees for the Moscow region, classifying all the variety of options by ripening time fruit.
Summer varieties
Early, summer apples differ from later types of culture in delicate pulp and special sweetness and aroma. They are usually eaten fresh and not stored for long. The taste of such fruits is bright and rich. Summer apples grown on their own plot are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, which is why they are so desirable and useful.
"Moscow Grushovka"
A feature of this variety is the extremely high level of resistance to freezing, which makes it possible to grow apples not only in the Moscow region, but even in the northernmost regions of the country. It should be noted that the variety "Grushovka Moskovskaya" does not have a high resistance to diseases, which means that when growing it, one should take care of preventive measures to protect fruit trees.
Apples "Grushovka Moskovskaya" are small in size, weighing up to 100 g. Their color is green-yellow with a slight raspberry blush. Ripe fruits are sweet and exude a pleasant apple flavor. The skin of the fruit is covered with a thin layer of wax, which makes the fruit a little slippery. The flesh of apples is juicy, but when overripe it becomes a little more dry. When biting, the fruits of "Grushovka" emit a characteristic crunch. See apples of this variety and evaluate their external qualities by looking at the photo:
"Lungwort"
The proposed apple variety is well known to many experienced gardeners. Its distinctive feature is the sweet taste and aroma of honey. The first fruits of "Medunitsa" ripen 4-5 years after planting the seedling. During the first 10 years, an exceptionally high yield is observed, but, unfortunately, in the subsequent period this figure decreases.
The "Medunitsa" apples ripen at the end of summer. Their mass is small, the color is greenish-yellow. Scarlet stripes can be seen on the surface of the fruit. It is impossible to keep fresh summer apples "Medunitsa" for a long time, as they quickly lose their taste and appearance. For this reason, it is recommended to take care of its prompt processing after harvest.
"Dessertnoe Isaeva"
The proposed apple variety is highly resistant to freezing and a number of diseases, including scab.Young apple seedlings begin to bear fruit already in the 4th year of cultivation. Medium-sized trees are very productive, but with a large amount of fruiting, the quality of the fruit may decrease. In order to keep the apples from getting smaller, it is recommended to cut thin branches of the lush crown annually.
Dessert Isaeva apples, average weight 120-130 g, have a rounded shape and are colored yellow with a blurred red blush. The pulp of the fruit is fine-grained, juicy with a pleasant floral aroma and pleasant sweetness.
For the conditions of the Moscow region, not only the listed varieties are well suited, but also some long-known types of apple trees. For example, in a cool climate, the early Antonovka, Korobovka, White filling, Melba and some other varieties grow remarkably and bear fruit. An apple tree of the Cypress variety can be interesting for many gardeners, since it allows you to get a harvest at the earliest possible date.
Autumn varieties of apples
For the Moscow region farmers, it is recommended to grow about 17 good varieties of apple trees of the middle (autumn) ripening period. We will try to describe some of them in detail:
"Anise scarlet"
A wonderful, high-yielding variety bears fruit in the amount of 200-300 kg of apples from one mature tree. Fruiting of the culture is annual, winter hardiness is high. When growing fruit tree especially demanding for regular and abundant watering. The resistance of the variety to diseases is high, only powdery mildew can pose a threat to it.
Apples "Anise scarlet" are medium in size, sometimes have a slight ribbing on a rounded surface. The color of the fruit is light green with a yellowish tinge. A dense red blush and a light waxy coating are observed over the entire surface of the fruit.
The pulp of apples is fine-grained, sweet-sour, tender. Ripe fruit can be stored for up to a month in the refrigerator or in a cool cellar.
"Cinnamon striped"
This apple variety has been known to gardeners since the distant 1868. Already at that time, its high resistance to freezing and various diseases was noted. A tall tree bears a large number of apples weighing up to 100 g. They ripen in early autumn or late summer. The shape of the fruit is flat-round or slightly ribbed, the surface is smooth.
The pulp of the fruit is pinkish, medium juiciness. The taste clearly shows sweetness and sourness, as well as some bitterness, similar to cinnamon, in the aroma.
"Autumn joy"
Variety "Autumn joy" is zoned in the central region and can be successfully grown in the suburbs. The first fruiting of an apple tree is observed 4-5 after planting. Winter hardiness and disease resistance of the apple tree are average. Ripening of apples occurs in late August and early September.
The trees are vigorous with a dense crown. They require regular shaping. On their long and thin branches, they form a large number of sweet apples weighing 110-130 g each. The color of the fruit is golden-green with a bright red blush and numerous gray subcutaneous spots.
The apple pulp is tender and juicy. It contains more than 10% sugar and very little acid. A pleasant light aroma complements the taste harmony of the fruit. Additional information about apple and fruit flavor can be highlighted in the video:
By choosing variety of autumn apples for the Moscow region, you should not give up such apple trees as "Brusnichnoe", "Zhigulevskoe", "Chosen One", "Delight", "Shtrifel"... Some of these varieties have long been known to gardeners, and some are new. Among the new varieties, it is also worth highlighting "Kerr"... This apple tree is considered the best large-fruited Chinese with an excellent, harmonious fruit taste.
Late ripening, winter varieties
Late-ripening apples are perfectly stored, retaining their quality until the arrival of spring and even until the next fruiting season. The flavor and appearance characteristics of these varieties are different and can satisfy the needs of each taster.
"Alesya"
One of the best late-ripening varieties. Its harvest can be stored on tree branches until December, and then stored under special conditions for another 6-7 months. The crop yield is high, it can exceed 300 kg from each tree.
The Alesya tree itself is undersized, spreading. It begins to bear fruit in the 5-6th year after planting. The culture is distinguished by its high frost resistance and immunity to scab.
Fruit weight "Alesya" rarely exceeds 200 g, flat-round shape. Fruit color is bright red, slightly blurred. The pulp of apples is juicy, sweet with a slight sourness. Its taste was rated by experts at 4.4 points out of 5 possible.
"Moscow later"
The apple variety "Moskovskoe Pozdny" was obtained in 1961 and, after careful, long-term testing, was zoned for the Moscow region and the entire Central region of the country. Differs in resistance to freezing and scab. Self-pollinated apple tree begins to bear fruit at 6-7 years.
The ripeness of the fruit begins at the beginning of October. Harvested during this period, the crop can be stored until the onset of the new fruiting season. At the same time, fruits reach full ripeness only by mid-November.
The fruits of the "Moskovskoe Pozdny" variety are rather large, weighing from 200 to 250 g. Their shape is round, the surface is smooth. The peel of apples is colored light yellow, but a delicate blush is evenly distributed over its entire surface. Fruit taste is high. Their flesh is tender, fine-grained, white, dense. The sugar content in the composition is 11%, but there is more than enough acid in the pulp: 8.8%.
"Rossiyanka"
The medium-sized apple tree "Rossiyanka" has a lush crown, rounded. Apples of this variety ripen at the end of September. The culture is resistant to scab and low temperatures.
Apples "Rossiyanka" are large. Their color is greenish-yellow, the pulp is sugar, juicy. The fruits have excellent keeping quality and can be stored until April.
Among all the existing late-ripening varieties, such species as "Antonovka ordinary", "Belorusskoe raspberry", "Komsomolets", "Mirnoe", "Studencheskoe" are also suitable for the Moscow region. These varieties of apple trees are time-tested and have already earned many positive comments and feedback from farmers. Among the new varieties, apple trees "Butuz", "Suvorovets", "Dolgo", "Krasa Sverdlovskaya" are distinguished by their high resistance to unfavorable weather conditions. These varieties are just being tested, but have already managed to prove themselves only from the best side.
Conclusion
The climate of the Moscow region is not particularly soft, therefore, before choosing a variety, it is necessary to carefully study its characteristics and, in particular, resistance to freezing, fungi and viruses. From a certain list of varieties, you can select suitable fruit trees that will yield the desired quality crop in a certain period of time. The selection of seedlings, taking into account all the main parameters, will allow you to successfully grow a good fruit harvest under the given conditions. A “blind” purchase of a plant will certainly not be successful.
