Description of the Granny Smith variety
Granny Smith apple trees originally appeared in New South Wales on the Australian island in the second half of the 19th century. In the mid-thirties of the 20th century they conquered England. In the mid-seventies - the United States of America and Canada, where the apples were called Green Delicious.
The Granny Smith apple variety belongs to the late varieties. Fruit ripening period: second half of September – early October. The taste really reveals itself 1-2 months after harvesting the fruits.
Granny Smith apples travel well and are stored until spring, allowing you to enjoy their taste all year round.
Description of fruits
Granny apples have now spread throughout the world - they are grown wherever the climate allows apple trees to grow. Weather conditions affect the quantity and quality of fruits. But the relative unpretentiousness of the variety, with careful care, allows you to get a good harvest.
Granny Smith apples grow best in temperate climates, with cool summers and mild winters. Hot, dry weather affects the juiciness of fruits. A harsh winter will destroy the tree. Sometimes a variety with a funny name is confused with other apple representatives.
Granny Smith apples can be confused with the fruits of the Semerenko variety. This is facilitated by the similarity of shape and color. The difference is that the shape of Semerenko’s fruits has a slight asymmetry and the apples have a smell.
The difference between Granny Smith and Golden apples is more significant: the yellow, rough peel and sweet pulp of Golden fruits are considered the hallmark of this species.
Green Granny Smith apples are endowed with a round, neat shape, sometimes being slightly elongated. The skin is strong, glossy, traditionally rich green. The rays of the sun falling on the apples give the sides yellowish or pink shades and highlights. Juicy, dense, crispy white flesh may have a light green tint. The sour and sweet tones of apple flavor are harmoniously intertwined and complement each other. Long-term storage makes apples sweeter. The fruit has no aroma. A cut apple does not darken.
The fruit size is considered large. The average weight of a Granny Smith apple is about 200 g. Sometimes the weight of one fruit reaches 300 g.
Description of the tree
The average-sized semi-dwarf Granny Smith has a height of two and a half to three and a half meters. The apple tree grows quickly for the first five years, after which growth slows down. The spreading crown has the shape of a ball. Annual shoots require regular pruning, otherwise the tree will become overgrown.
The smooth bark is olive green. The apple tree blooms at the end of April - beginning of May. White-pink flowers with a diameter of 5 cm abundantly cover the entire tree. A neat apple tree all in bloom looks very beautiful. The round, smooth leaves of the plant end in an elongated tip. The leaves are rich green above, the green below has a grayish tint.
The fruiting period of the plant is 8-10 years, starting from 2-3 years of age.
Care
It is simply impossible to get an enviable harvest from a tree that is not properly cared for. Therefore, gardeners need to regularly prune, water and treat against diseases and pests.
The Granny Smith apple tree variety requires mandatory pruning, because... weak branches delay the fruiting process and overload the tree crown. This procedure is applied to 2-year-old apple trees at the very beginning of spring - before the buds swell.
The tree needs watering not only during the first time after planting, but also when it has already taken root. It is especially important not to neglect this in hot weather; this should be done regularly.
During the process of fruit growth and ripening, watering should be done less frequently so that the apples do not crack. Mulching the soil is also necessary for the tree. If it is not black soil rich in useful substances, then fertilizers should certainly be added to it. They can be:
- superphosphate;
- compost;
- rotted manure;
- potassium sulfate.
A caring gardener must pay attention to any changes in the appearance of trees. It can be alerted by such harbingers of the disease as yellowish spots, leaves that suddenly become dull and other signs.
Granny Smith apple calorie content and composition
The low calorie content of Granny fruits makes the product dietary. There are only 47.5 - 48 calorie units per 100 grams. Therefore, the calorie content of 1 pc. Granny Smith apples contain no more than 100 – 150 calories. The ratio of BJU was distributed as follows: proteins and fats - 0.4 g each, carbohydrates - 9.7 g.
The beneficial properties of the product do not end there. It contains many vitamins, macro- and microelements needed by the body, and other valuable substances.
- Vitamins. Apples contain the most vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 9 mg. Next comes vitamin A (retinol) - 5.04 mg. Vitamin K (phylloquinone) – 2.3 mg, vitamin B9, which is also called folic acid, – 2.09 mg. The content of other vitamin representatives is less: niacin (PP) - 0.4 mg, vitamin biotin (H) - 0.3 mg, tocopherol (E) - 0.21 mg, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) - 0.07 mg, pantothenic acid (B5) – 0.06 mg, beta-carotene and vitamin B1 (thiamine) – 0.031 mg each, riboflavin (vitamin B2) – 0.03 mg.
- Macroelements. The fruit contains a significant amount of potassium - 276 mg. The proportion of sodium is 25 mg, calcium - 16.2 mg. Slightly less phosphorus (12 mg), magnesium (9 mg). A little sulfur (5 mg), chlorine (2 mg).
- Microelements. Apples are rich in iron: its share is 2.2 mg. Manganese in fruits is 0.05 mg. The remaining microelements were distributed as follows: bromine - 245 mcg, aluminum - 112 mcg, copper - 112 mcg, rubidium - 62 mcg, nickel - 16 mcg. The fruits contain fluorine - 8.5 mcg, molybdenum - 6.2 mcg, chromium - 4.3 mcg, vanadium - 4 mcg, iodine - 2 mcg, cobalt - 1 mcg. Selenium is present in small quantities - 0.3 mcg, zinc - 0.17 mg, cobalt - 1 mcg.
- Fruits contain saccharides: 9.21 g. Saturated fatty acids in fruits are 0.15 g, polyunsaturated fatty acids are 0.13 g, ash and starch are 0.5 g and 0.8 g, respectively. Apples have a lot of fiber: 1.8 g. Natural acids are present in a volume of 0.85 g. The largest percentage is water - 86.5 g.
Sugar from foods consumed enters the blood at different rates. If sugar is immediately absorbed by the body in large quantities, the pancreas, which produces insulin, receives a greater load. Insulin levels rise sharply. Sugar is converted into fat and deposited under the skin. Eating foods with a high glycemic index leads to weight gain and obesity. Such products are dangerous for diabetics.
The glycemic index of Granny Smith apples is low, only 30 units. Therefore, they can be safely consumed by people suffering from diabetes and those who do not want to gain weight. The fruits contain a lot of fiber, which neutralizes sugar and slows down its absorption into the intestines. Low glycemic index foods help maintain a feeling of fullness.
Granny Smith beneficial properties
- The generous vitamin composition of fruits makes them a good alternative to multivitamin complexes from the pharmacy.
- Fruits are almost 90% water and have low calorie content, so they can be included in any weight loss diet.
- A significant percentage of fiber improves digestion, speeds up metabolism, and prevents constipation.
- Apples contain a lot of iron, which has a positive effect on hemoglobin levels in the blood and fights anemia.
- Ascorbic acid, contained in significant quantities in the fruits of the variety, will strengthen the immune system.
- Potassium, magnesium, copper improve heart function and strengthen blood vessels.
- Calcium strengthens bones, nails, and hair.
- Pectin rids the body of waste and toxins.
- Organic acids improve skin condition, make the complexion healthy, and improve vision.
- Folic acid is necessary for pregnant women because it helps the normal intrauterine development of the child.
Granny Smith apple for weight loss
Due to their low calorie content and low glycemic index, green Granny Smith apples are considered the most useful during weight loss, during fasting days.
The quality of food absorption is affected by lipid and metabolic processes. Their speed is increased by fiber, which is abundant in the fruits of the variety. Potassium removes excess fluid. Sodium maintains the correct balance of salt and fluid. Therefore, eating apples will relieve congestion: it will cleanse the intestines and remove swelling.
Harm of apples
Smith apples, like all foods, can be harmful. But this applies, for the most part, to mono-diets, in which fruit becomes the main component.
If a large amount of fiber enters the body, digestive problems will begin. Therefore, people suffering from ulcers, colitis and gastritis should consume apples with caution.
Excessive consumption of Smith apples can cause thinning of tooth enamel. And the seeds contain a high content of hydrocyanic acid, which is essentially poison.
The Smith apple tree requires the right place and time for planting. This is the only way it will bear fruit regularly.
It is recommended to plant the variety in autumn and spring, when there is no frost. The pits for planting are prepared a month in advance. During this time, the soil will shrink. The depth of the pits should reach 60 cm, diameter - 1 m.
The soil for the Smith apple tree is mixed with organic matter. After planting, the seedling is sprinkled with soil and watered so that the roots are in close contact with the ground. Then the tree should be tied to a peg driven nearby.
The variety requires mandatory insulation before the onset of winter. The soil around the tree is covered with manure.
The variety requires annual pruning. It should be carried out starting from the second year of life, in the spring, until the buds appear.
In summer, abundant watering should be carried out - 4 liters per tree. After watering, mulching and fertilizing are mandatory. When the variety bears fruit, watering is reduced to prevent them from cracking.
Granny Smith apple in cooking
Granny Smith apples are widely used in cooking. They have become part of salads, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts. The dense pulp of apples does not soften during heat treatment and remains whole, which is why this particular variety is popular for preparing various dishes.
Apples are a good choice for making puff Granny Smith salad with carrots and chicken. Boil 200 grams of chicken fillet, chop finely. Boil two eggs, grate on a medium grater. Grate one apple, peeled, and one carrot on a medium grater. Lay out the ingredients in layers: first the eggs, then the chicken meat - coat both with mayonnaise or sour cream, add salt and pepper to taste. The next layer will be an apple, then carrots. This amount of salad, tender and juicy, is designed for two servings.
Green apples are used as a filling for pies, pancakes, and stuffed with game.
Apple juice can be drunk freshly squeezed, stored for future use, or made into light wine.
Growing
Those who prefer to grow their own apples rather than buy them in a store should study the features of planting and propagating this variety. In central Russia, whose climate is favorable for Granny Smith, the period for planting seedlings is from late March to early April or from late September to early October. Thus, the tree will be in a calm state until the heat begins (or, conversely, until frost if planted in the fall), will have time to strengthen its root system and adapt to the environment.
In order for the seedling to take root well, it is necessary to follow the correct planting technology. You should prepare the planting hole by adding fertilizer and humus to it in advance. The fertile mixture should be compacted by the time the tree is planted.
Do not forget that the root system cannot be bent; it must be located freely in the hole. The root collar always remains above the soil surface. Then the seedling is strengthened by tying it to a support and provided with abundant watering.
In order for the apple tree to please the gardener with high productivity in the future, you need to follow simple agrotechnical techniques.
- Watering. In the first year after planting, the tree should be watered frequently, keeping the soil moist. We should especially not forget about irrigation during dry periods. An adult fruit-bearing tree, on the contrary, is not watered too much during the ripening of the fruits to prevent cracking of the peel.
- Prevention of diseases. A caring owner will not allow the crop to become infected, using chalk-containing agrotechnical preparations for prevention. However, if pests or diseases still overcome the tree, you need to use Fundizol or Bayleton.
- Feeding. Rotted manure, mineral fertilizers, and compost are used as feed.
- Caring for an apple tree includes mulching the soil, weeding, and loosening.
- In winter, apple trees need insulation. Young trunks are tied. The soil is mulched.
To propagate fruit trees, asexual grafting is used. Professional agronomists grow apple trees that are combined from two types of plant tissue: the rootstock and the shoot. The rootstock is the lower part of the tree along with the root system. It also determines the final height of the tree. The shoot affects the upper part of the apple tree and, importantly, determines the quality of the fruit. Thus, to obtain apples with high taste and increase productivity, it is necessary to carefully select the rootstock and shoot.
