Universal apples - Berkutovsky variety

Since ancient times, man has been using the gifts of nature and could not ignore fruit trees as sources of tasty and nutritious food.

Apples, pears, peaches, apricots - there are countless fruits given to us by Mother Nature.

The rich history of mankind has not been stingy in giving
its rightful place to the apple . In what stories did it not take part:

• At the origins of human life it was when Adam and Eve ate it;
• And a bone of contention between Greek beauties. We came to the Trojan War;
• Apples of the Hesperides in gold, which Hercules mined;
• And also a scientific fall on one’s head, and the discovered laws of gravity;
• Naive Russians were looking for rejuvenating apples. And they set off to distant lands;
• There are many Christian holidays. There is no raspberry or banana Savior. But there is an apple Savior. And very revered.

Have you ever wondered how many varieties of apples there are? And why their number significantly exceeds the number of varieties of other fruits.

I will not discover America if I name some reasons for such popularity :

• Can be grown in most regions of the world. These are not citrus fruits or bananas;
• Moreover, each region has its own varieties;
• Their usefulness for the human body: a set of vitamins, ascorbic acid, carotene, sugar, organic acids. Mineral salts. Pectins. And that's not it.

Apple tree Berkutovskoe.
Or take China. The names are different, but the roots are different.

American:

• Glory to the country. He's Guo-Guan. Rolls;
• Ruby. Or Hong Yu. Jonathan.

A fairly solid group consists of varieties from our region:

• Large yellow – Papyration;
• Large red – Astrakhan red;
• Anises. Aporty, Grushovka Moskovskaya.

Interesting Facts! Chinese technologies make great use of the decorative appeal of many trees with small fruit sizes.
Let me also remind you of the significant difference in the approach to growing apple trees in different countries.

Nowhere in the world is the position of amateur gardeners as strong as in the post-Soviet space. And they are not weakening.

Apparently, the industrial cultivation of apples in most countries did not force citizens to think about breeding and growing apples.

And these days there are more opportunities.

Description

The winter variety was created by specialists from the Saratov Horticulture Experimental Station (O.D. Berkut, G.V. Kondratyeva). The variety is named after one of the creators.

When creating it, we used the apple varieties Cortland, Antonovka vulgaris and Anise pink-striped.

In the State Register since 1987.

It has been zoned for the Volgograd and Saratov regions since 1988.

The awarding of a gold medal in 1991 at the All-Russian exhibition indicates the high recognition of the variety.

So:

• The crown looks like a pyramid. Wide at the base and not very thick;
• Smooth gray bark . And the brownish-red shoots are smooth and of medium thickness;
• Large and pointed elongated leaves . Green, wrinkled and matte;
• The pinkish-white flowers are not particularly noticeable among the many apple trees. Not the size. Not in color. Neither the form;
• Green-yellow, slightly cone-shaped fruits of average size 100-120 grams have a uniform crimson blush. And barely noticeable bumps. The craters show slight rustiness. There are specimens even up to 250 grams;
• The juicy, white, fine-grained pulp has a sweet and sour taste. And a little bit of aroma.

Fruits of the Berkutovskoe apple tree.

Universal apples - Berkutovsky variety

It happens that an apple tree does not please its owners. Either the harvest is not enough, or the quality of the fruit does not suit them.

The plant should not be blamed for this; breeders do not breed useless varieties; any of them is good for its purpose.

The right choice of varieties will help you avoid disappointment: they should suit both your taste and the region where they will grow.

Don’t waste your money, first familiarize yourself with the range and qualities of the chosen variety. For example, you decided to grow a Berkutov , what are its features?

Apple tree Berkutovskoye - description of the variety and photos of the fruits later in the article.

additional characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

Without merit, gold medals are not awarded, and the Berkutovskoe apple tree is distinguished by the following characteristics:

• You will have fruits of this variety every year. No frequency ;
• With a decent harvest of more than 50 kg from a compact tree;
• Excellent taste and appearance of apples;
• This taste lasts until March;
• Resistant to transportation;
• Drought resistance is very high.

Given these characteristics, many do not even consider weak resistance to powdery mildew to be a significant drawback.

Photo of the fruits of the Berkutovka apple tree.

Dimensions of an adult tree

Even an adult tree does not exceed 3 meters in height. This is on medium-sized rootstocks.

Frequency of fruiting

You don’t have to determine the periods of fruiting. You will have good winter apples every year. And in sufficient quantities.

Productivity

Various information:

• Some call the yield of this variety moderate;
• But you will collect up to 70 kg of delicious apples annually from one apple tree
• I think this is even respectable. Does anyone have a different opinion?

Tasting assessment

Expert tasters give juicy sweet and sour apples no less than 4.8 points . And that's out of five!

Gardeners and even more so. Especially if these are apples from their orchard. And they treat you to them.

Apples have a characteristic color.

Winter hardiness

High winter hardiness implies:

• Ability to withstand low temperatures. For a long time;
• But that is not all. It is very important how the tree behaves in frost after warming;
• And how it recovers after freezing;
• After all, many varieties simply cannot be restored. And they die.

Experts believe that the winter hardiness of this variety in the lower Volga regions is good . If you grow further north, it will be average.

Disease resistance

Average resistance to scab. Prolonged rainy weather can contribute to powdery mildew.

It is necessary to carry out complex preventive treatments with fungicides against many diseases. Including powdery mildew.

Scab on an apple tree.

Apple tree Berkutovskoe

We, young gardeners, cannot, like our parents, take long and persistent care of the apple trees, and indeed the garden in general. I believe that the modern gardener needs more unpretentious apple trees. And the Berkutovskoe variety must be constantly sprayed with chemicals against scab. I must say that in our gardening, scab is simply a scourge! Everyone's plum and apple trees are sick. I don’t know, the climate seems to be quite dry, but we don’t get scab. I purchased the Berkutovskoe apple tree as soon as I bought the plot. Now the apple tree is already 5 years old. So the apple tree is not bad, quite compact, it has grown to a height of two meters and continues to grow. I can no longer reach the top branches to trim them, and I don’t have time to do it. So, the crown at the top is disheveled, of course. The apple tree winters well, it was only frostbitten once. I covered the frost holes with garden varnish, sawed off some branches and that was the end of it. Nothing, the apple tree has recovered. Her apples are small and red. The taste is quite good: sweet-sour and juicy. I really like eating them in winter. They lie and are stored for a long time, 3-4 months. Then they acquire the necessary taste and softness. We harvest our harvest in September, which is very bountiful. And I indicated the disadvantages.

The Berkutovskoye apple tree variety is common in the Moscow region. This is a good apple tree of our Russian selection. It is imperative to plant it where there is no close contact with groundwater. I bought 2 apple trees and planted them at different ends of the garden. So one died precisely because the place was damp. Moreover, dampness was observed in the spring, and the tree, already weakened by wintering, could not stand it. But the second apple tree has taken root well. For the winter, I insulated them well in the first year: I tied spruce branches and wrapped them in roofing material to keep mice out. The entire tree trunk circle was covered with humus. In the spring the apple tree bloomed well and luxuriantly. It grew quickly, directing the crown upward. Apples began to be collected in the 3rd year at the end of September. I liked their taste. You just need to lie down. Still, winter varieties become tastier after aging. I can’t even eat a freshly picked apple—it’s kind of woody. The fruits lie and are stored well if you remove them from the tree correctly, carefully, and then put them in cardboard boxes. I put it in 2 layers, interlacing with paper. I store it in a cellar in the garage. In winter we eat them with pleasure - they cannot be compared with store-bought ones. The disadvantages of this variety include the fact that it is easily attacked by pests: codling moth, mites, aphids.

I live in the Saratov region, Berkutovskoe is popular here. The apple tree took root well, grew by leaps and bounds, and the first fruits appeared after 3 years. The tree at that time was small, less than human height, but it produced about 5 kg of apples. The fruits are wonderful, all the same size, with a bright blush and shiny skin. The taste is also good, sweet and sour. In the second year, the apple tree grew a little more and produced almost 10 kg of apples. It reached full strength by the 3rd harvest and since then has been producing 20 kg of beautiful juicy apples. You can store apples for a long time; they, as they say, keep well and are almost never spoiled. You can use them to make charlotte and strudel. The tree can withstand frost, and in the spring it needs to be treated against insects; this can be done quite easily, because it does not grow tall. You need to water it abundantly and don’t skimp on compost, Berkutovskoye loves it and will thank you with a good harvest.

This tree is good because it is medium-sized; even in a five-year-old apple tree, an adult can reach the top and remove the fruits without a ladder. The apple variety is winter and can be stored well for six months or more. The apples are not too large and are little damaged during transportation (hard). They tolerate heat and drought well, but to get a good harvest you need to monitor the trees and water them thoroughly at least once a week. The tree requires special attention during the ripening of the fruits - do not be lazy to water, then the fruits will not fall ahead of schedule, but will be filled with juice. It is important not to miss the ripening time of the apples and remove them from the tree a few days earlier, otherwise they may fall to the ground in one moment. It is advisable to store apples at zero temperature; it is better to sprinkle the fruits with sawdust or cover them with paper. These apples are very juicy, sweet, with a slight sourness. When cut, the flesh is white and dense. In rainy weather, trees of this apple variety may be affected by powdery mildew. It is better to plant apples in the fall. It is better to choose a planting site that is sunny, without shade. Apple trees begin to bear fruit in the 3rd year. The variety is excellent, the whole family likes it.

Reviews

Sergey. “The Berkutovskoe apple tree variety is not yet very popular. So I want to advertise for him. Good. Before landing here, I didn’t know him either. He chose everything from strangers. But our area is risky for them. They recommended Berkutovskoye, looked at the description and photos. I couldn't be happier. It has been bearing fruit for 5 years now. Every year there are consistently 5-7 buckets . Productivity increases. The care is normal. In the general system for treating pests and diseases, feeding and preparing for winter. But apples are delicious and last until March. So a guaranteed replacement for foreign sissies.”

Vladimir. “They imprisoned Berkutovskoye. On recommendation, they showed a photo and description of the variety. All stages of its growth were studied. They thought they were exaggerating her merits. As always, to implement. But with this variety it’s as written. And the first fruiting occurs in the 4th year after planting the two-year-old. And the yield after five years. Everything is recorded in the photo. And most importantly - apples. Delicious, juicy. Fragrant . Conventional agricultural practices. Nothing special."

Sergey. “I would like to share my impressions about the Berkutovskoye variety. They took me out in Saratov. For the Volga region, a winter variety is needed. I read that they are rated 4.5-4.8 points out of 5. And the descriptions of Berkutovka are true. Fragrant, juicy. Especially if they lie down for a little while. And they lie quietly in an ordinary cellar with temperature changes until March. But even in March they do not become loose . It’s not for nothing that the variety was awarded a gold medal. The totality of all qualities. It is clear that it is better to plant a reliable variety. Without fear that it won’t survive the winter.”

How to care

Let's get acquainted with the main features of caring for the Berkutovskoye apple tree.

The variety is considered drought-resistant, however, this quality manifests itself in the tree already in adulthood, and young plants require mandatory watering.

So, in the first year after planting, the tree needs to be watered abundantly two to three times per season. For one watering, it is necessary to spend at least 50 liters of water on one tree. It is considered a mistake to water the Berkutovskoe apple tree in small volumes: such watering will wet the roots only superficially, and deep-lying rhizomes will suffer from thirst.

The plot of land around the tree trunk must be regularly cleared of weeds. It is best to carry out the weeding procedure after watering, since it is easier to pull plants with roots out of wet soil.

In the first two to three years of the plant’s life, fertilizers do not need to be applied, unless, of course, the entire proper volume was applied during planting. After this period, fertilizing the Bogatyr apple tree is necessary on a regular basis.

In the fall, after harvesting, it is recommended to feed the tree with organic matter: compost or manure. Autumn fertilizing should not contain nitrogen, as this substance can prevent the tree from overwintering properly. But in the spring, nitrogen fertilizing will come in handy: it promotes the rapid growth of green mass.

But this video will help you understand how to properly care for the Spartan columnar apple tree.

The video shows how to care for a planted apple tree:

Prevention

Spraying is usually carried out twice per season. For the first time, the procedure is carried out in the spring and is aimed at destroying parasites and harmful insects that have overwintered in the soil and tree trunk. The second spraying is carried out when the ovaries have already formed. This procedure destroys microorganisms and insects that can damage the ovaries.

It may also be useful for you to learn about what pollinators exist for the Lungwort apple tree.

Let’s find out what our gardeners think about the cultivation of the Berkutovskoye apple tree variety.

• Nikolay, Veliky Novgorod: “The Berkutovskoe apple tree has been growing for me for 15 years. The variety is liked for its unpretentiousness and high, stable yields. I am satisfied - the fruits are large, feeding and watering are standard, the tree survives the winter well. I recommend this variety - it’s perfect for the middle zone.”
• Boris, Orel: “I grow several varieties of apples at my dacha, including Berkutovskoye. This variety is distinguished by stable yields, is not capricious, and survives the winter without problems with proper preparation. The tree rarely gets sick, and if you don’t forget about prevention, then it won’t get sick at all. I recommend this variety: it is the best option for cool climates.”

But what reviews there are about the President apple tree, and how positive they are, this information will help you understand.

So, we looked at the features of growing the Berkutovskoye apple tree. As you have seen, this domestic variety is distinguished by its remarkable yield, frost resistance and other important characteristics. Therefore, if you are thinking about purchasing an apple tree seedling, pay attention to this interesting variety with tasty, large fruits.

Features of planting and care

Landing

Deadlines

Do not look for or wait for recommendations on the exact planting date of this apple tree variety. Many different factors and circumstances can influence the determination of this time.

Autumn planting of an apple tree.

But the main weather conditions will be :

• In spring - this is April: The soil has warmed up;
• Before the buds open.

Advice! You have a seedling to plant. But there is no suitable weather in autumn. Don't fuss with landing. Especially in wet and lumpy soil. If possible, bury the seedling in a good place until spring. Cover it securely for the winter.

It is necessary to water the apple tree after planting.

Technology

• Buy a seedling of this variety: 2-year-old is better;
• Check the root system . The roots must be healthy. Not dry and without damage;
• Buy from nurseries . And with a closed root system;
• Freshen the roots before planting.

Planting an apple tree.
There is another option in the picture. Only the sizes are different.

Necessarily! The grafting site should be 5-7 cm above ground level.

Distance

• Plant apple trees in rows at least 3-4 meters apart.
• Consider the rootstock of the seedling.
• On a dwarf rootstock the distances are even smaller. Up to 3 m.

Growing

Choose sunny places with light soils (loamy and sandy loam). They are ideal for planting Berkutovskoe apple trees.

Experts do not recommend for planting them:

• Wetlands;
• Places with high groundwater and excess salt in the soil.

Agricultural technology

Carrying out landing.
Carry out the entire range of agrotechnical practices. The place has already been chosen. The seedling was planted... But this is just the beginning.

To get the most out of your apple tree:

• Keep the soil in good condition: Dig;
• Sow green manure;
• Mulch.

An important part of agrotechnical measures is watering.

• Protect from diseases and pests: Even good resistance to scab does not exclude preventive treatments with fungicides against many diseases (moniliosis, bark diseases, powdery mildew and others);
• And it’s not even worth naming all pests. You already know them. For lovers of buds, foliage, flowers, fruits, roots: Experts recommend up to 10 treatments per season. But you don’t want to spend the season with a sprayer behind you. And then eat it all;
• If you develop a certain annual system, 3-5 treatments may be enough. Depending on the number of attackers;
• Use tank mixes of compatible fungicides and insecticides. So to speak, in one move against two enemies;

Pruning and crown formation

They also help fight against adversity. A properly formed and timely pruned tree is better able to withstand them. But this is not the only purpose of pruning. The main thing is to choose the best option for the apple tree and variety.

Sparse forms are more suitable for this variety. But it's up to you to choose. After all, there are many options.

Here are just a few of the many:

• Sparsely tiered;
• Cupped;
• Fusiform;
• Bushy;
• Palmetta.

Pruning the apple tree in the spring before sap flow begins . In addition to forming the crown, remove damaged, dry and duplicate branches.

Pollinator varieties

Follow the principle of good pollination. Plant varieties of the same ripening period side by side. The northern sinap is very suitable.

There are hardly any opponents to placing an apiary for pollination.

Features of ripening and fruiting

Beginning of fruiting

• In the 3-4th year after planting you will see the first fruits.
• And you will reap good harvests from 6-8 year old apple trees.
• With sufficient care.

Deadlines

Apple tree "Berkutovskoe".

Maturation

In the second ten days of October, this variety is harvested.

And remember:

• Removable ripeness is when the apple is fully formed. And it is ready for storage;
• Consumer maturity is when they are the most delicious, aromatic and beautiful. This is when they lie down for a while.

Notice! Berkutovskoe apples grown in the southern regions are sweeter than those grown in more northern regions. And their color is more intense.

Fruit storage

Till March. And some gardeners estimate that they are well preserved even after 200 days.

And I had enough patience... Or maybe there were a lot of apples?

Features of fruiting

• Do not plant a garden of only Berkutovskoye apple trees. It must be pollinated by other varieties.
• Experts note good compatibility with the Northern Sinap variety.
• The fruits must be picked on time. Ripe apples may fall off.

How to choose seedlings

The main criteria will be age and appearance. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the bark is of an even color; Berkutovsky is characterized by a grayish tint to the trunk. It should fit snugly without burrs or scratches. You should not buy a seedling in the spring that has already produced leaves. It is better to choose one whose buds have barely opened; it will take root faster.

2-3 year old trees are considered overgrown and the chance that they will quickly adapt to a new place is small. It would be more successful to choose a strong annual with a well-formed central root.

It is safer to purchase a plant from nurseries, where there is a guarantee of compliance with the declared variety. The seedlings are not kept for a long time, offering fresh material for sale. You need to buy a young apple tree on the day of planting or the day before.

Growing in regions

Interesting information about the regions:

• Gardeners and specialists do not mean specific administrative units, but climatic conditions. And this is a temperate continental climate ;
• And often these are not the regions that trading people and their companies are talking about. So it is with central Russia: Even Wikipedia will definitely not answer you;
• One option is the European part of Russia from the borders of Belarus in the west to the Volga region in the east. From Karelia and Arkhangelsk in the north even to the Caucasus in the south;
• And in a narrow version, the area around Moscow. Total 160-230 km. But with Smolensk and Yaroslavl.

  The climate of the Moscow region and the Volga region is very suitable for growing Berkutovsky.

• Udmurtia, Bashkiria, Komi, Perm Territory and Orenburg Region do not exactly belong to it;
• And the Saratov region is included. This apple tree variety was created there.

So the climate of the Moscow region and the Volga region is very suitable for growing Berkutovsky.

But winter hardiness in the Moscow region is not as high as in zoned areas. You can help the apple tree:

• Wrap the trunks of apple trees (especially young ones) with insulation;
• Cover the trunk circles for the winter.