The Bogatyr apple tree is a late variety, unique in its kind, characterized by a long shelf life and excellent taste of the fruit. Most often they are consumed fresh throughout the winter.
Apple tree "Bogatyr" (pictured) - a tall tree with large, tasty fruits
The main characteristics of this popular variety are given in the table:
| Parameter | Characteristic |
| Culture | Apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) |
| Variety | "Bogatyr" |
| Tree height | More than 4 m |
| Precociousness | Low |
| Period of (storage) consumption | Winter (late winter) – fruits are stored until mid-April |
| Timing of the onset of removable (technical) maturity | Late September – early October |
| Type of fruiting | Mainly on ringlets, sometimes on last year's growth |
| Productivity | High, annual |
| Size and weight of fruits | Medium or large: from 125 to 200 g |
| Shape and color | The apples are flat-round, with a wide base, slightly slanted towards the cup. The color of the skin when removed is greenish-yellow, and during storage it becomes light yellow. Sometimes a faint carmine tan is observed on the fruits. Numerous subcutaneous dots are grayish-white, clearly visible at the apex |
| Fruit pulp | White, dense, not very juicy, crispy, fine-grained, aromatic |
| Tasting assessment (taste qualities) | According to experts, 4-4.5 points (out of 5) – sweet and sour taste |
| Purpose of fruits | Dining room |
| Sustainability | Average winter hardiness at the level of zoned varieties. Resistance to scab in leaves is average, in fruits – above average |
| Year of inclusion in the State Register of the Russian Federation | 1971 |
| Recommended growing regions | Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth |
| Originator | Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Center named after I.V. Michurin" (Michurinsk) |
Characteristic
The Bogatyr apple tree was bred by crossing Antonovka, from which it acquired enormous vitality and frost resistance, and Ranet of Landsbergsky, which imparted to it the taste and morphological characteristics of the fruit.
Appearance
The tree is vigorous , can reach a height of 5 m, the crown is spreading, powerful, and the diameter of an adult tree can grow up to 6 m.
The main branches are located almost perpendicular to the trunk, the branches of the second and subsequent levels are at a more acute angle.
The leaves are medium-sized, rich green, elliptical in shape with jagged edges, slightly curved towards the middle.
The flowers are smaller than those of other varieties and appear together.
Fruit
The fruits are large, individual apples can weigh up to 300 g (on average 120 - 200 g) , round, wide at the base, the skin is green with a yellow tint when ripe, but during storage it changes color to intense yellow.
The pulp is dense, fine-grained, very aromatic, crispy. The apples taste sweet and sour, with an average dry matter content of 12%.
The fruits are distinguished by a high content of ascorbic acid, which undoubtedly makes them a welcome guest on your table!
Self-fertility
The Bogatyr apple tree is not self-fertile, so it is necessary to grow one of the pollinating varieties in the garden , which include Strefling, Sinap Severny, Melba, Zhigulevskoe.
Yield and tasting rating
Average size of Bogatyr apples.
An adult tree can produce a harvest of up to 100 kg, on average 70 – 80 kg annually.
The tasting assessment of the taste characteristics of the fruit is high. Important ! Harvesting must be carried out no earlier than October, otherwise the apples will not be able to acquire their taste. This can also negatively affect the shelf life of the fruit.
Winter hardiness and frost resistance
The apple tree variety Bogatyr is classified as a winter-hardy variety; its frost resistance rating is excellent .
With age, the tree adapts to its growing conditions, adapting to winter and the possible occurrence of return frosts.
But for seedlings of the first and second year, you can mulch the root zone in order to protect them from sudden frosts.
Scab resistance
One of the important characteristics of a fruit tree is its ability to resist pathogens of common diseases, for example, scab.
Scab-affected fruits on an apple tree.
Bogatyr is one of the immune varieties that are resistant to scab, which simplifies the care of the apple tree.
Apple ripening time, storage
The fruits stick well to the branches and do not fall off. The peduncle is thick and short. Since this is a late winter variety, the fruits ripen after harvest. Harvesting maturity occurs by mid-September. However, experts advise not to rush into harvesting, as this has a bad effect on their appearance and quality. Fruits picked early tend to shrink during storage.
These apples cannot be eaten immediately; they must lie down and reach consumer maturity, which occurs no earlier than the middle or even the end of December. “Bogatyr” is exactly the variety whose fruits can decorate the New Year’s table. If harvested in a timely manner, apples are stored until the end of May, in some cases until mid-June. At the same time, they do not lose their attractiveness and remain aromatic and crispy.
The video below will help you clearly see the Bogatyr apple variety:
Reviews
Sergey: — Excellent apples, tasty and stored almost until spring. I don’t bother too much with care, I water it and prune it in the spring. I got the apple tree from the previous owners of the dacha, so I can’t say anything about planting - I received a ready-made mature tree and harvest it every year.
Svetlana Bityutskaya: — The year before last I planted a Bogatyr seedling, having previously studied all the nuances: description, photos, reviews, planting. It took root well , planted in the spring. It is growing quickly, there are no diseases yet. In a couple of years I’m expecting the first harvest, I hope the characteristics will correspond to reality and this apple tree will be enough for me for compotes, juices, and for the kids to eat.
Stepan Razgulyaev: - Super apples! The aroma is simply magnificent when I bake charlotte from them - the whole family’s mouth waters, such an aroma is in the whole house! We collect a lot of apples , enough for everything. But I don’t preserve much, and because they keep well, in February we only eat up our last supply of apples. We are pleased that we studied the photo and description of the variety, and then planted it, such a miracle.
Children like Bogatyr apples.
Composition of apples
The low calorie content of Bogatyr apples - 43 kcal per 100 grams - makes them attractive to those who are watching their figure or want to lose weight.
The fruits of the variety are rich in ascorbic acid - almost 13 mg per 100 grams. Ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant: it enhances metabolic processes, improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, helps avoid atherosclerosis, and promotes protein absorption.
Apples are rich in pectin. Pectin improves the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
The fruit contains potassium and manganese. Potassium normalizes protein synthesis, converts glucose into cellular energy, helps supply the brain with oxygen, and has a beneficial effect on kidney function. Manganese strengthens the nervous system, regulates metabolic processes, improves the functioning of the thyroid gland, maintains hemoglobin at the proper level, has a positive effect on the growth and development of bones and connective tissues, and strengthens the immune system.
In addition to vitamin C, apples contain vitamin A, which helps fight infections and improves vision. And B vitamins (B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B7, B9) have a positive effect on brain function.
Ursolic acid, contained in the peel of Bogatyr apples, improves the growth of muscle tissue, prevents the spread of cancer cells, and reduces fat deposits.
Thanks to ursolic acid, visceral fat deposits disappear, which helps you lose weight.
Fiber, which is abundant in apples, removes toxins and excess fluid from the body.
The catechins contained in the fruit strengthen capillaries, remove cholesterol, speed up metabolism, fight infections and tumor cells, and inhibit the aging of the body.
Apples are best digested when eaten with the peel. Mashed fruits lose some of their ascorbic acid. Apple juice is devoid of pectin and fiber.
Planting and care
The soil
Before planting the Bogatyr apple tree, you need to understand what growing conditions will be optimal for it. The tree of this variety grows well on loamy soils with good aeration, preferring well-lit areas.
Important ! If groundwater is close to your site, before planting you need to take care of drainage or removal of water from the location of the root system of the apple tree.
Planting of seedlings can be done both in spring and autumn, depending on weather conditions so that the roots have time to take root before the onset of frost.
Features of planting in spring
In spring, seedlings can be placed in the garden when the danger of return frosts has passed.
Before planting , prepare a planting hole 60–80 cm deep, drainage is placed at the bottom, if necessary, the top fertile layer is removed and mixed with organic fertilizers or sand (if the soil contains too much clay).
A peg is driven into the middle of the hole, next to which a seedling is placed and sprinkled with a mixture of soil and fertilizer. Then pour in a large amount of water.
Important ! Before planting, conduct a visual inspection of the root system of the seedling. If any parts of the root seem dead or rotten, be sure to trim them.
Pruning and crown formation
Pruning is carried out in early spring:
- When removing old dead branches (keep in mind that the fruits are formed on shoots four and five years old),
- Younger shoots and branches growing inside the crown are shortened.
In the fall, you can carry out sanitary pruning :
- Remove damaged and weak shoots, which can become a source of fungal or bacterial diseases of the tree.
But this is done in extreme cases; in general, it is recommended to prune the tree only in the spring.
What can be grafted onto the Bogatyr apple tree?
Apple tree pruning.
Other varieties of apples of late and medium ripening can be grafted onto the Bogatyr apple tree.
It is now believed that varieties of different ripening periods – from summer to winter – onto one apple tree
At horticultural experimental stations, this practice gives good results, but for private gardening it is better to adhere to the classical rules of grafting.
Features of ripening and fruiting
Apple trees of the Bogatyr variety begin to bear fruit in the 6th – 7th year , the fruits ripen by the end of September, but the harvest is harvested in October.
Apples are stored for an average of 250 - 260 days , maintaining their unique taste properties until recently.
Important ! To get a good annual harvest, in the first two years after planting the Bogatyr seedling, remove all emerging flowers in the spring.
The fruits are distinguished by excellent transportability and the possibility of long-term storage.
Fruits of the Bogatyr apple tree.
Ripening and fruiting of Bogatyr
Beginning of fruiting
Bogatyr may not bear fruit for the first time soon, only 6-8 years after planting in open ground. It will be just a few fruits, just try. Full harvests will come much later.
Flowering time
Like all other apple trees, Bogatyr begins to bloom its buds only in mid-May. However, the weather and climatic growing zone plays a big role here. Flowering times can vary noticeably due to external factors. In northern regions, where springs are cold and rainy, they may move closer to the end of the month. The flowers themselves are large, beautiful, snow-white or slightly pinkish, fragrant. They are collected in inflorescences of 6-8 pieces, bloom together, making the tree very elegant.
Fruiting and growth
The big advantage of the variety is the regularity of its fruiting, which grows like an avalanche. Every year the trees bear more and more fruit. By the age of 12-16, they become fully fledged, and you will be able to harvest the treasured hundred kilograms of tasty, shelf-stable fruits. A young tree grows much faster than an adult tree, growing 45-65 centimeters in height per year.
Picking maturity occurs around mid-September, but experienced gardeners recommend not rushing to pick apples from the branches. They still hold tight and won’t fall to the ground. Therefore, it is most often customary to collect them towards the end of October; the main thing is not to miss the onset of frost. You can’t eat fruits right away; they are very hard and sour. Consumer maturity occurs around December-January, after 1-3 months of storage. The keeping quality of Bogatyr is very high; it is well preserved until the next harvest.
Top dressing
- Mineral complexes.
- Wood ash.
- Ammonium nitrate.
- Compost.
- Chicken droppings.
- Manure.
What to do if it doesn’t bloom or bear fruit
- Check for pests and diseases.
- Replant to a sunnier location.
- Fertilize.
Subspecies and options
Types of vegetative rootstocks do not affect the quality characteristics of the crop ; they can correct morphological characteristics.
Semi-dwarf
Bogatyr on a semi-dwarf rootstock :
- Reaches a height of 4 m,
- The root system lies at a depth of up to 1.5 m,
- Fruiting begins at 4–5 years.
Dwarf
On a dwarf rootstock:
- The root system of the apple tree lies closer to the surface,
- The height of the tree is up to 4 m,
- Fruiting begins in the fourth year.
Bogatyr apple tree on a dwarf rootstock.
Columnar
Columnar apple trees require constant care:
- Starting from planting, during which the root system needs to be formed;
- Finishing with regular pruning.
This type of apple tree is very helpful for gardeners when there is not enough free space on the site. Although it is more often used in industrial gardening.
History of selection and zoning of the variety
A variety of domestic selection, bred in the late 20s of the last century by the famous breeder S. F. Chernenko at the All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Fruit Plants named after. I.V. Michurina by crossing the popular variety “Antonovka ordinary” with “Renet of Landsberg”.
“Antonovka vulgaris” (pictured) is a valuable initial form in the selection of winter-hardy varieties. On its basis, 25 new species were created, including “Bogatyr”, “Cherry”, “Orlovim”, etc.
Since the late 40s, “Bogatyr” has been under state variety testing and in 1971 was officially included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation. The variety is zoned and recommended for industrial and amateur gardening in the North-Western, Central, Volga-Vyatka and Central Black Earth regions of our country. Thanks to a number of advantages and high ecological adaptability, this variety of apple tree is successfully grown in Ukraine, Belarus and other neighboring countries.
Features of cultivation in different regions
Moscow region and middle zone
Bogatyr is zoned for cultivation in the Moscow region and central Russia : the soil type and climatic conditions are ideal for this variety.
If proper agricultural practices are followed in these regions, Bogatyr produces an excellent harvest and does not require a special approach to cultivation.
Ural
The soils in the Urals are not entirely suitable in terms of their characteristics for Bogatyr, but with due attention, growing it in this region is quite possible.
When planting, it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers, as well as careful care of the tree trunk as the tree grows - timely loosening and watering, as well as mulching in the autumn to protect the root system from early frosts.
Siberia
Due to the high winter hardiness of the Bogatyr variety, it can be cultivated in the regions of Western and Eastern Siberia without any special restrictions, subject to standard agricultural practices for this crop.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the variety include:
- early and annual fruiting;
- high frost resistance;
- good adaptation abilities;
- non-shattering of ripe fruits;
- beautiful appearance of the fruit;
- transportability - apples can be transported over long distances;
- excellent taste;
- versatility;
- immunity to fungal disease - scab.
The disadvantages include:
- the green color of apples when ripe, so it is difficult to determine when to harvest;
- greater rustiness of the fruits.
What year does the Bogatyr apple tree bear fruit?
Annual, active fruiting of the Bogatyr apple tree begins after 4-6 years, the timing depends on proper care and comfortable weather conditions. Fruits, attached to short, thick stalks, located on the tree from the sunny side, acquire a “blush”, in contrast to their yellowish-green counterparts growing on the other side of the tree.
The progenitor of the Bogatyr apple tree is Antonovka - an old, tall variety, popular with our gardeners, accounting for almost half of the market's products. Antonovka, being a winter-hardy, disease-resistant, high-yielding, aromatic variety, has transferred all its best qualities to the Bogatyr variety, the trees grow strong, strong, the fruits are large and tasty.
Apple tree Bogatyr - productivity
The advantage of the Bogatyr variety is its high yield, which increases even more every year. Young trees 5-7 years old can produce a harvest of up to 30 kg, fruiting by the age of 9 increases to 55-60 kg per apple tree, and by 15-16 years it can be about 70-80 kg. Following all the rules of cultivation and care, observing the schedule of agrotechnical measures, the maximum amount of harvest was recorded at 130 kg. The red Bogatyr apple tree is characterized by fruits of carmine red color, in contrast to ordinary greenish-yellow apples.
When does the Bogatyr apple tree bloom?
The Bogatyr apple tree, like most winter varieties, blooms late, in the third ten days of May, the size of the flowers is slightly smaller than usual, they are slightly pinkish. When describing the Bogatyr apple tree variety, its main advantage is called “heroic” fruits, which can weigh from 120-150 g, and individual specimens - up to 200 g or more. Apples are not very juicy, have white, dense flesh, a pleasant sweet and sour taste, and are very aromatic. The fruits of the Bogatyr variety have good, persistent qualities that allow the harvest to be transported and stored without problems, without losing its presentation.
Harvest and storage
Full ripening of the fruit occurs in late September–early October. Apples can remain on the tree until frozen. Harvest carefully with your hands or use tools. For the winter, place undamaged fruits in paper or wooden boxes.
You can sprinkle with sawdust; it is better to wrap each apple in paper.
Apple tree Bogatyr - height
The strong and vigorous apple tree Bogatyr, in its appearance, fully corresponds to its name, grows in height in adulthood up to 4-5 meters, while having a spreading crown, up to 5-6 meters in diameter. Young two- to three-year-old seedlings are also exceptionally powerful and tall, their individual representatives can reach 2-2.5 meters.
The dwarf apple tree Bogatyr reaches a height of 2.5-3 meters and has a spreading crown. Gardeners are attracted by its winter hardiness, withstands frosts down to -25-30°C, good resistance to pests and most diseases, and long shelf life of the crop. For the dwarf apple tree Bogatyr, a necessary condition for productivity is annual pruning, which allows the formation of the correct crown.
Diseases and pests
The Bogatyr apple tree has a fairly strong immune system. This variety is resistant to scab, but often suffers from powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects almost all above-ground parts of the tree.
When powdery mildew develops, cut off all affected shoots and burn them, and spray the apple tree with a 10% calcium chloride solution. After 7-8 days, the treatment is repeated, but with a solution with a concentration of 5%.
The Bogatyr apple tree is one of the most popular and widespread winter varieties. It has many advantages, including good frost resistance, high productivity and strong immunity to diseases and pests. Bogatyr does not require special care, so this variety is great for beginner gardeners.
Reproduction
The hybrid apple variety Bogatyr was bred by Semyon Fedorovich Chernenko by crossing the varieties Antonovka and Renet Landsberg. Therefore, it is undesirable to propagate the crop by seeds. It may turn out to be a completely different variety or game.
It is better to propagate by grafting in the spring. To do this, take a cutting from an annual plant. Cut a side branch at an angle. Select a large branch on the rootstock, make a deep cut and insert the cutting. Cover the incision with garden varnish, plasticine, or wrap it with electrical tape. The grafting was successful when leaves appeared on the cuttings. We have described in detail when it is best to vaccinate an apple tree.
