Content
Apple trees Fuji varieties are of Japanese origin. But in China and America, this culture and its clones are given special attention. For example, in China, 82% of the apples grown are of the Fuji variety. A quarter of a century ago, culture was taken up in European countries, in the gardens of Ukraine and Russia.
Fuji apples are distinguished by their honey taste and beautiful appearance. Description, photos and reviews of the variety apple trees Fuji can be found in our article. In addition, we will tell you about the features of growing and caring for fruit trees.
Historical facts
The Japanese were engaged in the creation of the Fuji variety for several years. The breeders took the Red Delish and Rolls Janet varieties as parents. The new plant has received the best parental qualities.
In the eighties of the last century, Americans became interested in the Fuji apple tree. The fruit tree has adapted perfectly. The people of America liked the unusual honey aroma and exquisite taste.
Many readers are interested in where they grow apples Fuji now. It should be noted that the distribution area in Russia is quite wide: apple trees are grown even in regions with a sharply continental climate, not to mention the southern regions.
Description
External data
The apple tree is strong, the skeletal branches are powerful. The peculiarity of the plant is that without pruning, the branches grow on the sides, which significantly reduces the yield. The Fuji apple tree, according to the description of breeders, should have a rounded, almost spherical shape. The bark of the trunk is light brown with a grayish tint.
On long shoots, the bark is slightly brighter, without roughness. In a properly formed apple tree, the petioles should be located in relation to the shoots at an acute angle.
Oval leaves with almost imperceptible pubescence and pointed tips. Flowering begins in late April or early May. By the end of the leaf fall, large apples glow like lights on bare branches, as in the photo below.
Fruit
The Fuji apple tree is prized for its delicious fruit. In technical ripeness, they are bright pink or deep red. Moreover, the color of the fruit is uniform. Yellowish dots or greenish blurred stripes are slightly visible on the surface. The skin is matte, without shine.
The weight of a Fuji apple, according to the description, as well as gardeners' reviews, reaches 200-250 grams. The fruits are even, one to one. They taste sweet, but they are not cloying. The apples are dense, juicy and crunchy. On the cut, the flesh is white or creamy.
Apples of this variety are rich in various vitamins and minerals, amino acids, pectin, fruit sugars. That is why doctors advise them for dietary and baby food.
Storage features
The Fuji apple variety is also prized for its excellent storage. With the creation of special conditions and the presence of industrial refrigeration units, without loss of taste, they can lie for 12 months. In a warehouse no more than 4 months.
Freshly harvested and stored Fuji apples will differ in characteristics within 30 days. Oddly enough, their taste will change for the better. The fruits will become even sweeter, the acid is almost not felt. During storage, the apples ripen. Thanks to their high transportability, apples fly all over the world.
Where to grow Fuji apple trees
For the ripening of apples, a lot of sun is needed, otherwise the fruits will not have time to ripen. That is why the central regions of Russia, Belarus and the northern regions of Ukraine are not suitable for growing this variety of apple trees.
But gardeners can tackle clones of the Fuji apple tree:
- Fujik;
- Kiku;
- Yataka;
- Beni Shogun;
- Nagafu;
- Toshiro;
- Aztec.
The fact is that they ripen 14-21 days earlier than the mother variety, but the taste qualities of some clones are even higher.
Clones
Clone Aztec
The Fuji Aztec apple tree is a variety of New Zealand breeders. Received in 1996. The weight of deep red apples, look at the photo, is about 200 grams. The clone, according to the reviews of the gardeners who grow it, fully corresponds to the description and characteristics.
The pulp is juicy and crispy. The apples taste sweet and sour and belong to dessert varieties.
The apple tree is strong, high with excellent yields. The fruit tree has medium scab resistance. The fruits ripen in mid-September. Stored for almost 7 months.
Fuji Kiku
According to consumer reviews, the fruits of the Fuji Kiku apple tree are considered the most delicious among other clones of this variety. Despite the fact that her ripening period is longer than that of the Aztec, apples are still harvested 21 days earlier than from the mother variety.
Look at the photo, how elegantly large pink apples with red ruddy cheeks look, weighing from 200 to 250 grams.
The taste of the early Kiku clone is also excellent. They are sweet and sour with a light honey aroma.
Growing Fuji Kiku on an industrial scale:
Planting and leaving
Often, in reviews regarding the planting of the Fuji apple tree and its clones, gardeners note that they are blooming, but they are not happy with fruiting. The fact is that this apple variety is pollinated under certain conditions:
- quiet and sunny weather;
- in the presence of pollinating insects;
- if apple trees of other varieties, which are pollinators, grow nearby.
The problem of pollination of the Fuji variety and its clones of the Aztec and Kiku is easily solved if the following apple trees grow in your garden:
- Idareda or Red Delicious;
- Ligol or Golden Delicious;
- Grenie Smith; Everest or Gala.
They bloom at the same time as the Fuji apple tree. In addition, the variety itself is capable of pollinating other fruit trees.
Choice of landing dates
Fuji seedlings can be planted in autumn and spring. Autumn planting begins after leaf fall, but before the onset of persistent frosts. The main task of the plant is to take root before a strong cold snap. As a rule, this work is done in October. Although the exact date of planting will not be called even by the most experienced gardener, it all depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the time of the onset of winter.
If, for some reason, it was not possible to plant a new Fuji apple tree in the fall, then you can replenish the garden collection in the spring. The main thing is to do the work before the buds swell and the sap begins to flow. In this case, before the onset of hot days, the roots will recover, the plant will start growing.
How to choose a seat
As follows from the description and characteristics of the variety, apple trees need a lot of sunlight. Therefore, the planting site should be the south side of the garden.
As for the soil, it should be borne in mind that the apple tree grows quickly, its root system is powerful, and a lot of energy is spent on fruiting. The soil in the planting hole should be fertile, but not dense. The Fuji apple tree is planted in the traditional way.
Care
To get a good harvest of apples, some of the ovaries, especially in the first two years of fruiting of the Fuji variety and its clones, must be removed. In this case, the tree will not be overloaded, therefore, the size and taste of the fruit will not be affected.
Speaking specifically about leaving, then it is almost the same for all varieties of apple trees:
- watering and root and foliar feeding;
- weeding and shallow loosening of the soil (the roots are located close to the surface);
- autumn and spring pruning;
- treatment for diseases and pests.
Fight disease
Everyone is good about the Fuji apple tree and its clones, but the crop can be destroyed by diseases and pests if processing is not carried out in a timely manner. The reason is weak immunity.
Most often, trees suffer from:
- bacterial burn;
- scab;
- aphid invasions.
Before blooming and before flowering, the apple tree must be treated with special preparations. Experienced gardeners are advised to use for these purposes: Nitrofen - for 10 liters of 300 g, and a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid.
