Every amateur gardener dreams of not only having a beautiful, well-groomed garden, but one that bears harvest from early summer to late autumn. For these purposes, trees and shrubs of different ripening periods are planted. This approach to your own garden allows you to feast on delicious berries and fruits until the end of summer. Apple tree Gift to Grafsky will become a special decoration of the summer cottage, will allow you to enjoy fragrant fruits even in late autumn. Do not confuse it with another variety of apple trees. Gift for gardeners, the descriptions of which are similar.

Origin story

The presented apple variety has an interesting and in some way touching history. It all started with an ordinary seedling, which was bred by scientists at the experimental station of the All-Russian Institute of Selection and Technology of Horticulture by crossing the American rootstock D101 and Vyazinkovka.

Probably, many remember the harsh winter of 1978-1979. It was at this time that a huge number of frost-resistant apple varieties were planted at the variety testing station, but not many of them were able to adapt to the harsh conditions. We could not survive the winter frosts of −40 ° C, the already well-known varieties Antonovka ordinary, Anise gray, Streifling. At the same time, unremarkable seedlings, unexpectedly for everyone, not only came to life with the first warming, but later made them happy with a bountiful harvest.

Having become interested in the variety, scientists breeders began a further, more detailed study of the apple tree, conducting more than one test and carefully recording the results. Convinced of the amazing qualities of the variety, scientists gave it the name Gift to Grafsky. Moscow in 2001 entered the variety into the State Register as one of the best breeding achievements. The apple tree was named in memory of Grafsky in gratitude for the kindness and understanding to a wonderful person - the director of the state farm, where the station was located at that time.

Apple Tree Gift to Grafsky

Note! The apple tree has an ancient undersized ancestor in the Tien Shan, the fruits of which are similar to the Paradise apple, and the life expectancy is up to 300 years.

Characteristics of the tree

Cabbage Gift

Apple variety Gift to Grafskiy, description and characteristics for gardeners are simply amazing. The fruit tree grows best in temperate climates. As a late winter variety, it is grown in the north-western regions. Saplings are popular with gardeners in the Moscow Region, Central Region and Altai.

Apple Tree Gift to Count is a joy for the gardener, because of the following tree features:

  • standard view;
  • triploid variety;
  • frost resistance (tolerates cold up to -42 ° C);
  • quick recovery after freezing;
  • sprawling crown of a reverse pyramidal shape;
  • foliage thickening is average;
  • branches do not differ in great thickness and length;
  • dark gray bark;
  • leaves of saturated dark green color, medium size, elongated shape;
  • requires proximity to other pollinators for fruiting;
  • high fruiting of a tree at the age of 5-6 years;
  • the formation of fruits on the shoots of two years, perennial ringlets;
  • ripening period of fruits - early October.

The Grafsky apple-tree is a beautiful gift for every amateur gardener. The tree looks great among other garden vegetation. In terms of winter hardiness, it surpasses such well-known varieties as Alva, Antonovka, Grushovka. A special quality of the tree is considered complete recovery after winter freezing, which indicates a high level of adaptation to negative weather conditions.

A vigorous standard tree for 10 years grows up to 7 m without pruning. The crown is distinguished by an average level of thickening and leafiness, it can grow up to 4 m in diameter. The peculiarity of the tree is an intensive growth of up to 1.2 m per year. The apple tree is scab resistant, contains a high level of vitamins and minerals. Fruiting for 5-6 years after planting a seedling, a dwarf rootstock can please with fruits in the second year. The branches of the tree are not very thick, long, light gray in color.

Wood

The wavy leaves of a rich green color of medium size have serrated edges and an elongated oval shape. Attached to the branches with a short, strong petiole.

Feature of fruits

Apple tree Glory to the Winners

The fruits of the tree are also striking in their qualities. They differ in brightness and average juiciness. Fruits are irregular, rounded, weight 250-350 g. Up to 250 kg of fruits are harvested from one adult tree.

Interesting! On a 5-point scale, the palatability of the fruit was rated by the tasters at 4.3 points.

The apple has a medium-thick skin with numerous longitudinal stripes. Barely noticeable light spots are visible under the skin. Ripe fruits are deep violet-red in color, a waxy bloom is visible on the surface.

The pulp is yellowish in color, fine-grained, not too juicy, but rather soft. Sour-sweet taste with a pleasant aroma. Inside a small amount of dark brown seeds.

The fruits contain chlorogenic acid, making them beneficial for people with high acidity. They are rich in organic acids, fiber, useful vitamins. They are consumed fresh, canned, dried. Housewives prepare aromatic apple juice, make mashed potatoes, compotes, canned with vegetables.

Compote

Growing technology

Apple tree Jonathan

Planting of seedlings is carried out in the spring with sufficient warming of the earth and in the fall before the onset of the first frost.

Important! Breeders recommend planting trees in the fall, because during this period the seedlings root better. This results in rapid growth and early fruiting.

The gift to Grafsky takes root better in sunny areas, protected from drafts. Seedlings are planted on elevations where groundwater is deep. This condition is necessary in order to prevent freezing of the root system of the tree and to avoid constant waterlogging of the soil. They plant trees on fertile soil, black soil, loam. The diameter of the feeding area for trees is about 20 m. The distance between seedlings is 5-6 m.

When buying seedlings, they pay attention to the development of the root system: 2-3 healthy shoots should depart from the main stem, no traces of damage, dark spots, various growths.

Having chosen a place for a tree, a planting pit is prepared. Its depth should be about 70 cm, and its diameter should be 100 cm. The pit is prepared several days before disembarkation. The cut off top layer of soil is laid aside, the bottom is removed, the bottom of the pit is loosened. Such preparation will help the seedling root system to better adapt to a permanent place. The topsoil is mixed with ash, humus and part of the sand, poured into a pit and hammered into a peg about 1.6 m high.

Ash as fertilizer

Before planting a seedling in the ground, its root system is soaked in water for 1 hour, after which it is installed in a hole, covered with earth. The root collar should protrude about 5-8 cm above the ground. Having done all the work, the seedling is tied to a peg and the soil is tamped around it. Watering is carried out immediately after planting, using warm, settled water (2-3 buckets).

Important! Watering with cold water can lead to disease of the seedlings.

Aftercare:

  • regular weeding from weeds and grass of the near-trunk circle, loosening the soil, mulching with straw, peat, humus, needles;
  • watering once a week (they start with two buckets, with the age of the tree the amount of water is increased);
  • after a year, fertilization (chicken droppings, rotted humus, slurry diluted with water);
  • spraying the apple tree before flowering and during the period of ovary formation (for example, with a urea solution);
  • application of complex fertilizers without nitrogen after harvest;
  • whitewashing the trunk before wintering;
  • in early spring, the first top dressing and cleaning of the site from weeds and debris.

Advantages and disadvantages

Grade Gift to Grafsky is one of the best of its kind. According to experienced gardeners, the tree has practically no drawbacks, and if they are, they are insignificant.

Pros of the variety:

  • winter hardiness;
  • annual fruiting;
  • the tree grows rapidly;
  • fruits are bright, fragrant, moderately juicy;
  • good preservation;
  • perfectly transported over long distances;
  • fruiting for 2-3 years;
  • high resistance to scab and fungal diseases.

Although the disadvantages of the tree are minor, they are still there:

  • the harvest is annual, but different in the number of fruits;
  • the need for crown formation;
  • poor lighting of the lower branches due to the shape of the tree crown;
  • fruits of different sizes;
  • when ripe, slight shedding of fruits is possible.

A gift to Grafsky is an excellent variety that is grown in different regions of the country. Abundant fruiting, beautiful crown, delicate pale pink flowers, fragrant fruits - qualities that are highly appreciated by many lovers of orchards.