Apple tree "Spartan": characteristics and care

Apple tree Spartan - a variety of American selection, it was bred on the basis of varieties such as Yellow Newtown and Mac. In Canada, the variety is known since 1926, distributed in Ukraine since 1986 and a little later it appeared in Russia.

The apple tree Spartan has many positive qualities, there are a few, but quite significant shortcomings. We will analyze in detail all the characteristics of the variety and find out where and how to grow it.

Description and specifications

In Canada, the Spartan apple tree is grown mainly for commercial purposes, it is one of the main varieties for export. Our variety is most often planted in private gardens, not for sale. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to grow such an apple tree in central Russia; Spartan does not tolerate frosty winters. But the climatic conditions of the southern regions of our country are ideal for the variety.

Apples reach technical maturity in the second half of September, they should be harvested in October, and the taste and aroma of the fruit is fully revealed only in December. The variety is early-growing, seedlings bear fruit for 4 or 5 years after planting, in comfortable conditions, the first flowers can appear for 3 years of cultivation. Productivity is good, however, periodicity may be observed.

Spartan is a partially self-fertile variety; without pollinators, it produces medium yields. The maximum fecundity mark can be achieved by planting nearby apple trees such as Idared, Ruby Duki, Calville Snow, Uman Winter, Melba, Bogatyr, Kitayka and Northern Sinap.

Tree and fruit characteristics

The tree develops rapidly, but differs in average growth and a round, wide, very thick crown, which requires careful maintenance. Annual shoots are densely pubescent, cherry-brown, side branches are single or completely absent. Leaves are rounded or oval with a twisted tip. Fruits a variety on gloves.

Spartan apples are easy to distinguish from other varieties, they have a peculiar, recognizable appearance. Fruits weigh from 100 to 200 grams, the average weight of 150-170 grams. The color is light yellow with a thick pinkish-burgundy blush covering most of the apple. The skin is dense, tough, smooth and oily with numerous small white patches and a thick waxy coating that gives the apples a purple hue. The shape is round, flattened or slightly conical with a slight ribbing at the peduncle.

The pulp is white with subtle, rare red veins, dense, juicy and crisp. The taste is often sweet, you may feel a light, refreshing acidity. The aroma is strong and intense with hints of melon and strawberry.

Yield, use and storage of apples

In the first years, poor productivity is observed, after 7-8 years after planting, up to 30 kilograms of apples are picked from one tree, and from 10 years of cultivation, the variety gains strength and gives up to 90, and sometimes up to 140 kilograms of fruit. Without pollinators, yield decreases by 10%.

When stored in the basement, apples lie for 4 or 5 months, and in the refrigerator they remain fresh for about 7 months. Preparation for storage is carried out in the same way as with the other varieties. Spartan apples are more suitable for fresh consumption, while at the same time they make delicious juices and preserves. For drying, the variety is also used, as well as for the preparation of alcoholic beverages.

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Positive and negative qualities

The apple tree Spartan received the greatest popularity in Ukraine. In our country, the variety is mostly found only in the south, but even there the cultivation of the variety cannot be called soundless. However, in spite of everything, bold and hardworking gardeners from different parts of Russia manage not only to grow a strong and healthy tree, but also to achieve its maximum fertility.

Advantages

• productivity;
• resistance to drought;
• universality in use;
• excellent resistance to diseases and pests;
• taste and appearance of apples;
• transportability and keeping quality.

disadvantages

• poor frost resistance;
• fruiting frequency;
• tendency to thicken the crown;
• apples grow smaller over the years or with improper pruning.

Another drawback is the additional efforts during the formation of apples, they are in the rationing of productivity. If you do not remove part of the ovaries, the tree will be completely strewn with fruits that can become smaller and crumble. In good growing conditions, with the proper shaping of the tree, apples do not fall.

Features of growing varieties

When buying seedlings, preference should be given to biennial trees with a well-developed root. It is better to purchase planting material in local nurseries, such apple trees are already acclimatized. The place for Spartan is sunny, warm without cold winds and drafts.

Care for the variety is standard, like other varieties of apple trees, Spartan needs regular watering and timely feeding. In hot weather, a tree is watered every 3-4 days; surface irrigation will be especially effective during this period. The apple tree will be saturated with moisture not only from the root, but also from the foliage, and the procedure will also prevent the appearance of various problems.

Pruning

In order for the Spartan apple tree to form large fruits as long as possible, strong crown thickening must not be allowed. After the first wave of fruiting, pruning is carried out regularly. When the tree is first molded, the branches grow sideways so that the crown becomes wider. How to prune the Spartan apple tree:

• Detailed pruning - shortening the branches, depending on the length of their terminal increments. If the growth is longer than 40 cm, the fifth part of the branch is cut, and when it is up to 40 cm, it is shortened by a third. An increase of about 20 cm is removed halfway, and at 10 cm no more than 3 kidneys are cut.
• Sanitary pruning - cleaning of sick, dry and excess branches. Thinning will help prevent the risk of disease, and also provide normal lighting for each remaining branch.

In central Russia, without a good shelter, a young tree will not winter. In autumn, before the onset of frost, abundant watering is carried out. After the near-stem circle is covered with peat, the layer should be at least 30 cm. When the snow falls, it is raked to the tree and compacted.

Apple tree Spartan is not widespread in our country only because of instability to frost. But the taste of the fruit, good yields and keeping quality make the variety very desirable. Many gardeners plant it despite the need for painstaking care, and for someone, such chores are only a pleasure.

Reviews

Evgeniy. I live in Makhachkala, I have been growing Spartan apple trees for more than 15 years. The variety is very productive, while it grows with me without pollinators, a year I collect at least 80 kilograms of apples. Serious pruning must be done, it is important not only to shorten the branches, but also to ensure that they do not grow inside the crown and do not rub against each other. In general, tree care is very simple, the variety has never hurt anything.

Kristina. In the suburbs, Spartan needs to be courted, without additional attention there will be no sense.The first 5 years the tree was sheltering for the winter and still the weakest branches froze, now my Spartan is already more than 20 years old and have not experienced any problems. Immunity to diseases is very high, however, in the years when scab is raging, just in case I process the variety along with other trees. Apples are very tasty and beautiful, well stored until mid-spring.