Apple-tree Grushovka Moscow: variety description

Apple-tree Grushovka Moscow is an old and widely known variety, bred as a result of folk selection. Its fruits are famous for their large size and sweet taste. The people call this variety differently: Spasovka, Skorospelka, Grushovka red.

Breeding history

The variety was first mentioned in 1797, in the book of the Russian pomologist A.T. Bolotolov. Thanks to successful breeding, the apple tree ripens quickly, for which it received the nickname "Skorospelka". This variety appeared by chance, as a result of crossing different varieties of apple and pear trees. With the participation of Grushovka Moscow, many other varieties were bred, including the Siberian souvenir.

This is how apples of the Grushovka Moscow variety look like

General description of the Grushovka Moscow apple tree

The variety has an impressive description, as it has a lot of characteristics. This is resistance to cold, and the prevalence in different regions, and resistance to disease.

Growing regions

Grushovka is common in the Urals, Siberia, the Volga region, and also in some places in the Moscow region. The tree is unpretentious to the climate, that is, it can grow in harsh conditions. The main advantage of growing a tree in such conditions is its frost resistance. Thick bark protects the tree from cold weather. At low temperatures (-50 degrees), only superficial freezing can be noticed on the bark.

Dimensions: crown width and tree height

The variety is considered tall, the height of the tree can reach 6-8 meters. The variety inherited this property from the pear, since pear trees are almost always tall. The crown is dense, in mature trees it has a rounded shape. Leaves are elongated, long, light in color.

The crown of a young tree is not very dense.

Disease resistance

From the very birth, the tree acquires immunity to diseases and frost. The culture grows in cold climates, where there are significantly fewer diseases than in warm climates. The variety has a thick bark that no insect can gnaw. The fruit contains acid, so the caterpillars do not bother the tree.

Pollinating varieties

Grushovka Moskovskaya is a self-infertile variety that needs pollination with another variety (hybrids are not suitable for this purpose). The best pollinators of this variety are: Antonovka, Korichnoye, Papirovka.

Fruit ripening period

Pear is considered one of the earliest varieties of apples. The fruits ripen by the second half of July, the process continues throughout the first half of August. Due to prolonged frosts, it is possible that the ripening of the fruit may be delayed. The variety begins to bear fruit in 5-6 years and does this for 6-7 decades. In the last years of its life, the tree begins to gradually reduce the number of fruits until they are completely absent. In the Grushevka variety, apples are juicy, have a pronounced taste, as well as a red or yellow color.

Ripe fruits of Grushovka

Advantages and disadvantages: is it worth planting on the site

The Grushovka Moskovskaya apple tree has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages.

The advantages of the variety:

• The variety has very good frost resistance, is able to withstand frosts up to 50 degrees.
• The tree gives its first fruits in 5-7 years from the moment of planting.
• The apple tree has a high yield and large fruit size. The yield from one tree can be 80-170 kg.
• Delicious fruits.
• The longevity of the tree and a large harvest.

Disadvantages:

• Different periods of fruit ripening on one branch.
• Short shelf life. The fruits are not intended for long-term transportation and long-term storage.
• The fruits are not suitable for making jams, preserves, fermentation, as they contain a large amount of acid.
• Due to the high acid content in the fruits, after eating them, it is necessary to rinse the mouth with water so as not to damage the enamel.

Features of planting and care

A well-lit area without drafts and strong gusts of wind is ideal for a tree. It is not suitable for growing in lowlands, as there may be a large accumulation of water. The roots of the culture are long, so it is not recommended to plant an apple tree close to a house or building.

The tree is considered long-term and grows significantly during its existence. It is important to take care of preparing the place for planting the tree.

Before planting an apple tree, all weeds must be removed from the area where it will be grown. While the tree is weak, they can take moisture and nutrients from the ground, preventing the apple tree from growing.

Planting a tree

To plant an apple tree, you need to dig a hole 80 * 80 * 80 cm, pour a bucket of water there and pour half a bucket of ash. Ash contributes to the destruction of underground pests, including repelling moles. It must be poured with a bucket of water and the apple tree seedling must be installed in the hole. The hole must be filled with earth to the top, and then watered with a watering can. The tree does not need special care, it only needs to be watered in the first week after planting.

Top dressing of apple trees of the Moscow Grushovka variety

The tree is fertilized according to the following scheme:

• With the onset of spring, rotted horse manure is poured into the trunk circles at the rate of 9-12 kg per square meter. For fertilization, you can use 500 g of urea.
• In autumn, complex mineral fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen are applied under the Moskovskaya Grushovka apple tree. It is enough to use 35-40 g of such fertilizer for each square. It is scattered over the surface of the soil and then buried in the ground during the autumn digging.

Tree pruning

The first pruning of branches is necessary a year after planting the apple tree. The central trunk is shortened by approximately 40 cm, and the lateral shoots by a third. Subsequent pruning should be done if necessary.

Tree pruning scheme

Collection and storage of fruits

The apple tree of this variety bears fruit early, about 5-7 years after planting. Apple picking falls at the end of July, but it is better to pick them in mid-August. So the apples will be saturated with vitamins and lose some of the acid. It will not work to store the crop for a long time, since Grushovka apples are not suitable for this. They must be eaten immediately after picking.

Large harvest from one branch

Diseases and pests of apple trees Moskovskaya Grushovka

The main disease affecting Moscow Grushovka is scab. This type of disease affects both the foliage and the apples themselves. After the defeat, the fruits begin to turn black, and they are categorically not recommended to be eaten.

In order to prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to remove the remnants of leaves and padanka from the trunk circle every autumn. For prevention purposes, you need to dig up the ground.

Diseased fruits of the apple tree

Apple tree Grushovka is a very popular tree among gardeners.It is distinguished by its increased tolerance to low temperatures, as well as tasty and juicy fruits. Subject to the growing conditions and proper care, you can get a rich harvest.