Description and characteristics of the Imant apple tree, planting and growing rules
The apple tree is one of the most demanded crops. It is almost impossible to find a summer cottage without a couple of fruit trees. The popularity of the late-ripening Imant apple tree is explained by the possibility of long-term storage of the crop. Resistance to scab damage is also a big plus. The advantages of the variety are appreciated by gardeners from different countries (Moldova, Russia, Ukraine).
The history of breeding the variety Imant
An interesting apple variety was bred by a group of Belarusian breeders in 1999 (Antey and Liberty varieties were used as the basis). Although the Imant apple tree received official recognition only in 2010.
Distinctive features and advantages of culture
The main advantages of the variety are frost resistance (up to minus 25 ° C) and scab resistance. Other pluses deserve attention:
- early maturity;
- excellent survival rate of seedlings;
- compact crown that does not require careful shaping.
The tree is slightly affected by diseases of the crown and bark (bacterial cancer, European cancer).
Description of the apple tree
A high-yielding apple tree does not require special growing conditions and is suitable for planting in small summer cottages.
External characteristics
Fruits of an unusual shade ripen on the trees. The apple is covered with a dark red skin with a purple tint.
Tree height and crown diameter
A round, slightly elongated upward dense crown with a diameter of 2.5-3 m is formed on a strong trunk. The branches do not require regular pruning and thinning.
Form of leaves, flowers
On thick and long cuttings, dense leaves of a standard shape with a pointed tip grow. The foliage has a rich green color. Long stamens grow on large five-lobed white flowers.
Fruit and its tasting characteristics
Imant apples have a rounded shape with a slightly elongated top. Large fruits differ in almost the same size, grow in weight 170-190 g. The juicy pulp of apples has a vanilla-creamy tone. The sweet taste of the fruit is piquantly diluted with sour notes.
Disease resistance
The variety is resistant to some diseases (powdery mildew, scab). To prevent the occurrence of other diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment in a timely manner.
Resistance to frost and drought
The variety is frost-resistant. According to gardeners, trees also tolerate drought on hot days.
Tree life
This indicator for the Imant variety is average - trees, with good care, grow and develop for 15-20 years. But the fertility of apple trees over 15 years old decreases.
Yield
The variety is fruitful - from one adult tree you can get 20-25 kg of fruit. The first decent harvests are harvested from apple trees 2-3 years old.
Ripening and fruiting period
For all gardeners, important characteristics of fruit tree varieties are the ripening time and the duration of the preservation of the crop.
The beginning of fruiting
The Imant variety belongs to the early-growing - the first crops are harvested from 2-3-year-old trees. The dignity of the variety is regular fruiting, there is no alternation of seasons.
Who is the pollinator of the variety
Flowers are pollinated mainly by bees and bumblebees. Other insects and gusts of wind also help.
Flowering period
In terms of this indicator, the Imant variety does not differ from other apple trees - the trees bloom at the end of May. The phase of abundant and friendly flowering lasts about a week and a half. Pinkish buds open into white flowers.
Ripening dates for apples
Fruits begin to ripen from the second half of September. It is difficult to determine the state of maturity by the appearance of apples. Experienced gardeners suggest evaluating the ripeness of the fruit by the color of the pulp. To do this, iodine solution is dripped onto the cut - in unripe fruits, the pulp acquires a dark blue tint, and ripe fruits do not change their shade.
Harvesting and using the crop
Harvesting begins in the second half of September and ends with the onset of the first October frosts. The real taste of the fruit appears over time, so the harvest is immediately laid for storage. Apples are consumed mainly fresh.
How to grow an apple tree in the garden
To grow a luxurious garden of fruit trees, it is important to choose the right seedlings, to provide the trees with full care.
Landing time and rules
It is recommended to plant seedlings in the spring in areas with a temperate climate. Autumn days are great for planting the Imant apple tree in the southern regions. The seedling is placed in a pit 85-90 cm deep, 60-65 cm in diameter.A distance of 3-3.5 m is maintained between the pits.
Features of agricultural technology
When growing an apple tree, standard agricultural techniques are used. Trees thrive better on loamy soils. Therefore, clay soils are "diluted" with a mixture of peat and sand. And the sandy soil is supplemented with humus or manure.
Landing
It is advisable to prepare the pits in advance (about a week). Planting seedlings is carried out in several stages:
- the bottom is covered with a layer of drainage (pebbles, expanded clay, broken stone);
- at the bottom they form a low hill of earth;
- the seedling is placed on the top of the hill, and the hole is covered with soil mixture.
When planting, the root collar is not sprinkled with earth. The planting is watered with warm, settled water.
Watering
In the first years of life, seedlings are watered twice a week. Stagnation of moisture in the soil must not be allowed, therefore, after irrigation, the soil is loosened and mulched. Mature trees need abundant irrigation during flowering and fruit formation.
Top dressing
If the soil was properly fertilized during planting, then fertilizing begins to be applied from the next season. It is recommended to use organic and mineral additives. In early spring, the soil is fertilized with urea. At the beginning of flowering apple trees use a mixture of urea (100 g), potassium (50 g) and superphosphate (80 g), diluted in 20 liters of water. At the end of flowering, apply a nitrophos solution.
Pruning and shaping
Apple trees of the Imant variety do not require a specific crown formation.They simply shorten the shoots that are too long and cut off the branches growing inside the crown. Sanitary pruning is about removing diseased, dry and damaged branches. Work with branches is carried out in autumn or spring, the cuts are smeared with garden var.
Preventive treatment
To protect trees from diseases, it is recommended to spray the crown with fungicides Nitrafen, Topaz as a preventive measure - before flowering and after the appearance of the ovary. Among insects, moths, caterpillars, ticks, aphids do the most harm. For prophylactic treatment of foliage, drugs Dicofol, Karbofos are used.
Covering for the winter
The Imant apple variety is frost-resistant, but the trees need to be prepared for winter: the near-trunk circle is cleaned of fallen leaves, the soil is abundantly watered and mulched, the trunk is wrapped in burlap.
Subspecies and variants
Saplings of the Imant variety may differ in some features. Distinguish between a dwarf subspecies and a clone.
Dwarf
The trees grow short, the first apples can be picked from two-year-old seedlings. However, apple trees are about 5 years old with full yields.
Clone
Apple trees on clonal rootstocks grow up to 2 m in height, forming a compact crown. The trees bear fruit well and stably, and are excellent for planting in small areas.
There are no special requirements for the care of Imant apple trees, standard work is performed - watering, fertilizing. Therefore, even novice gardeners can harvest large crops.
