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As a rule, experienced gardeners try to grow several apple trees at once, among which there are trees of early and late varieties. This combination allows you to harvest fresh fruits from mid-summer to late autumn. Late varieties of apples can be successfully stored throughout the winter, providing the family with the necessary vitamins. Of all the variety of late-ripening apple trees, the Florina variety is considered one of the best. Apple trees of this variety have long been known to gardeners and have proven themselves only from the best side. The high quality fruit is very beautiful and delicious. The tree itself is hardy, productive and unpretentious. All other advantages and features of the Florina variety can be found further in the article. After acquaintance with the offered information, perhaps it is Florina that will decorate another orchard.
The history of the creation of the variety
More than 50 years ago, French breeders developed the Florina variety by crossing several types of apple trees at once. Thus, the apples obtained combine the characteristics of the varieties "Jonathan", "Rob Beauty", "Golden Delicious" and some others.
Domestic breeders got acquainted with the Florina variety only in the 30s of the last century. After lengthy trials and testing, the variety was zoned for several climatic zones of the country at once. Since then, Florina has won the respect of many gardeners and is now widely popular. Saplings of this variety are available to everyone. They can be found easily at a nursery or at a horticultural fair.
Due to the excellent characteristics of the fruits and the high yield of the apple trees "Florina" have become in demand not only for growing in private farmsteads, but also for obtaining fruits for commercial purposes. It is this late-ripening variety that is grown by many farms.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Many gardeners know the Florina apple tree. For those who are not yet familiar with this variety, information about the plant itself and its fruits may be useful.
Description of the plant
The Florina apple tree can become a decoration of every garden. This medium-sized plant has a beautiful spreading crown. Breeders recommend forming its rounded shape to obtain a high decorative effect of the plant. The branches of the apple tree are strong, located at an angle of 45-800 in relation to the main trunk. The height of the apple tree largely depends on the method of crown formation and can reach 3-5 m.
Young apple trees "Florina" actively grow shoots and greens, which must be thinned out regularly. Florina leaves are bright green, medium in size. In dry weather, they can curl slightly inward, which signals a lack of moisture.
In the spring, the buds of the apple tree awaken for a long time. The flowering period is long, the type of fruiting is mixed. The apple tree gives its first harvest at the age of 4-5 years. As they grow older, the yield of the variety increases from 5-10 to 70 kg.
For a medium-sized tree, the given yield indicator is not too high, but it is stable. Such productivity is observed with free pollination, in which only 16-25% of the fruits are set. In the presence of additional pollinating varieties, this figure can be increased to 32%. The best pollinators for the Florina variety are Prima, Granny Smith, Gloucester and others.
Description of fruits
Florina apples are characterized by their excellent appearance. They are quite large, weighing about 110-150 g. The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, truncated. On close inspection, you can find the unexpressed ribbing of some apples.
The peel of the fruit is firm and elastic, of medium thickness. It is painted in a bright blush, sometimes blurred with barely noticeable stripes. On the entire surface of the fruit, there are medium-sized subcutaneous light specks. You can visually evaluate the description of the Florina apple variety in the photo:
The flesh of Florina apples is light yellow, very sweet and crunchy. The special fruit aroma is the hallmark of the variety. It is rather difficult to unequivocally assess the taste of apples, since there is some freshness, sourness and sweetness in it. During storage, the taste and aroma of the fruit changes, becomes saturated, resembles a ripe melon. During the tasting process, experienced experts evaluate the taste of Florina apples at 4.4 points out of 5 possible.
Red, large apples look great against the background of a bright green crown. During the ripening period of the harvest, the trees are highly decorative and really decorate the garden. The fruit is fully ripe by the end of September - beginning of October. The product can be successfully processed or harvested fresh for the winter. In a cool room, the quality of apples is maintained until spring. Some reviews claim that it is possible to keep the harvest in the refrigerator until June.
Dense and large apples are highly marketable and transportable. It is thanks to this quality that it became possible to grow the variety on an industrial scale for subsequent sale.
You can see Florina apples in their entirety and in section, hear some comments about their quality, main characteristics and taste in the video:
Freeze and disease resistance
Florina apple trees have medium frost resistance. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable. In the conditions of central Russia, it is recommended to reliably wrap them in sackcloth for preservation during the period of severe winter frosts.
Adult apple trees are protected from freezing by applying a layer of whitewash. The trunks of adult apple trees are whitened twice a season: in late autumn and early spring. Also, an effective measure of protection is soil mulching in the near-stem circle of the plant. Fallen leaves can be used as mulch. Additionally, it is recommended to spray it with highly concentrated urea. In this case, quickly rotted foliage will become a generous source of nutrients for feeding the apple tree.
Florina apple trees have excellent resistance to scab and some other fungal diseases. This allows, even on an industrial scale, to obtain a good fruit harvest without the use of chemicals. Powdery mildew, fire blight and moniliosis also pose a low threat to plants. The plant has no protection against European cancer.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Analyzing photos, reviews and descriptions of the Florina apple tree, you can draw some conclusions and determine the main advantages and disadvantages of the variety. So, the main positive points in the description are:
- excellent fruit appearance;
- unique taste and aroma of apples;
- relatively high yield;
- high resistance to most diseases;
- the possibility of long-term storage of fruits;
- good transportability and keeping quality.
Among the disadvantages of the Florina apple tree, only two nuances can be identified:
- the need for careful and regular plant formation;
- fruiting of the variety occurs once every 2 years.
Having analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the Florina apple tree, you can make a decision for yourself how justified its cultivation will be in certain conditions. If there is a place for this variety in the garden, then it will be useful to get acquainted with some information about the cultivation of a fruit tree.
Growing features
The Florina apple tree cannot thrive on acidic soils, so the acidity level should be checked before planting. It is preferable to grow seedlings on black soil or loam. Before planting, it is necessary to add a large amount of rotted organic matter and mineral fertilizers to the soil. After planting, the apple tree should be watered regularly and its actively growing shoots should be thinned. To prevent freezing, seedlings for the winter should be twisted with burlap, the trunk circle should be mulched.
Caring for adult fruit trees is feeding. Thus, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content should be applied annually in the spring. In summer, the tree is fed with potassium and phosphorus.
Conclusion
Florina is an excellent variety for a caring owner. It allows you to get a wonderful harvest of tasty and aromatic apples in return for a minimum of care. Apples store well and can become a tasty, healthy fresh treat for adults and children throughout the winter.
