The Uralets apple variety is considered one of the most frost-resistant. Moreover, it is still such, despite the emergence of new varieties and hybrids. The Uralets was bred at the Sverdlovsk experimental station in the middle of the last century, by cross-pollination of the Chinese woman Voskovka, Anis pink-striped and Ukrainka Saratov.

Characteristics of the variety

The main distinguishing feature of this variety is its increased frost resistance. For this quality, it ranks second after the Gorno-Altaysky variety. Largely, thanks to this very quality, the apple variety has become widespread in the gardens of the Upper Volga region, the Urals, Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan. However, this variety has a number of other features that also contribute to its widespread distribution.

Distinctive features:

  • high tree growth;
  • crown with a slender pyramidal shape, which has enviable strength;
  • early onset of fruiting;
  • regularity of fruiting;
  • fruits are characterized by a high content of dry soluble substances, sugar, ascorbic acid and catechin;
  • early ripening (harvesting begins in early September; in the case of a hot summer, even earlier);
  • high resistance to common diseases such as scab and fruit rot;
  • spicy taste and amazing aroma;
  • universal use of fruits (apples can be eaten fresh; unripe and overripe fruits are used for various types of processing).

Apple-tree Uralets

The description of the Uralets apple tree will be incomplete if we miss such a feature as its unpretentiousness. She does not require special attention from the gardener, literally bribing her with this quality.

Planting and leaving

The Uralets apple tree can survive in the harsh conditions of the Russian climate, however, in order to count on a good harvest, it will still need to comply with certain rules of agricultural cultivation.

Selection of seedlings

Apple Lobo

The basis of the harvest for many years is the right choice of a seedling. The safest way to get it is in a fruit nursery or garden partnership. The seedling should not be more than two years old. The older the sprout, the less likely it is to successfully take root in a new location. The age is determined quite simply - a two-year-old plant has no branches. There may be small branches located at an acute angle to the trunk.

The roots of the seedling must be intact and free of growths. The spine inside should be bright green. To make sure of this, it is enough to gently pinch off the bark from it. The root must adhere firmly to the seedling.

After a successful choice of a seedling, you need to decide on a planting date. Seedlings can be planted in autumn, in the first half of October, or in spring, in the third decade of April.

Seat selection

Almost any apple tree grows well and develops on light loamy or sandy loam soils. Uralets is no exception.

Since the apple tree has a powerful root system, when choosing a site for planting, one must proceed from the fact that the groundwater lies at a depth of at least three meters. If possible, it is advisable to choose a soil with wavy relief for the apple tree.

Important! For the growth and development of an apple tree, the presence of sunlight is necessary. But strong winds, especially the north, are extremely undesirable for her.

Soil preparation and planting

The soil intended for planting an apple orchard must be plowed regularly and freed from weeds for two years.About half a month before planting, holes are prepared with a diameter of about a meter and a depth of 60-70 cm. If the ground is sandy, the bottom of the hole is lined with a small layer of clay. On top of the clay layer, about one third of the hole is filled with a mixture of a fertile top layer of earth and humus.

The introduction of mineral fertilizers on soils rich in humus is not required. If the soil is not rich enough, it is possible to apply a small amount of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.

A young seedling is immersed in a hole prepared for it, while 5-6 cm of the root collar remains on the ground. For stability, it is tied to a peg.

Young tree care

If an adult fruit-bearing tree needs care mainly only in autumn, a young apple tree, up to five years old, requires attention all year round.

The first five years of life, the apple tree is watered every month, increasing the amount of water every year. In summer, in dry weather or on sandy soil, the frequency of watering is increased to one watering per week.

Young tree care

A mature tree does not require watering during fruiting. Watering can slow down fruit ripening. The tree needs abundant watering during flowering. The last time the apple tree is watered is when the leaf begins to fall. This watering will help the tree survive the harsh winter.

To avoid crust formation around the tree, after watering the soil is loosened and then mulched.

In the first year of life, the apple tree does not need additional fertilization. Root feeding begins to be introduced from the second year of the plant's life. The optimal time for the first feeding is April. Spreading fertilizer around the tree will not give a positive result. For fertilization, pits are made at a distance of about half a meter from the tree trunk, up to 20 cm deep. A handful of complex fertilizer is poured into each hole. This tree feeding will last for 2-3 years.

Protection against diseases and pests

One of the main features of the Uralets apple tree is its resistance to various pests and diseases.

And yet it will not be superfluous to take some measures to protect the plant. Weeds and fallen leaves are often the source of the disease. Regular cleaning of the apple orchard is the main preventive measure. You can use fallen leaves as fertilizer, but for this you need to bury them in the ground or make compost heaps.

Pruning

The Ural is tall, and pruning is one of the main procedures for him. Its absence will lead to the fact that the crown will overgrow with branches, and this will complicate the harvest.

Two years after planting the tree, it is time to start forming its crown. First of all, the branches are removed, extended strongly upward. In addition to forming the crown, pruning helps to rejuvenate the tree. As a result of this operation, the tree is forced to grow in width. Annual pruning of an apple tree increases its yield, shortens the ripening period of the fruit, and also increases its lifespan.

Young pruned tree

Important! To protect the tree from parasites and various diseases, the cut sites are covered with garden pitch.

The Uralets apple tree has many advantages over other varieties. The main ones among them can be distinguished - winter hardiness and the presence of immunity against many diseases.

The disadvantages in growing the Uralets variety include the following features:

  • small apple size;
  • limited shelf life;
  • the need to have a pollinator on the site for this variety.

Note! For pollination of Uralts, the best option would be an apple tree of the Uralskoye Nalivnoye variety.

Despite the presence of some disadvantages, this variety can be safely recommended to all novice gardeners.