Antonovka apple tree: characteristics of the variety and care

Description of the apple tree variety Antonovka

This variety is one of the most popular in our country. It is highly valued for its high yield, flavor, and fruit size, as well as its undemanding cultivation conditions. Antonovka apples account for over 60% of all canned apples and similar apple-containing products, and are actively grown on an industrial scale throughout virtually the entire country.

Apples: color, size, weight

Antonovka apples are typically medium to large (150 to 300 grams) and round, sometimes slightly flattened. They are lightly ribbed, with the ribs clearly visible along their entire length. The Antonovka's skin is smooth, firm, and pleasantly green, turning yellow as it ripens, with little to no blush. The chemical composition is characterized by the following indicators per 100 grams of product:

• P-active substances – 327 milligrams.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) – 17 milligrams.
• Tannins – 40-41 milligrams.
• Pectins (fiber) – 8-16%.
• Fructose (total sugars) – 9.22%.
• Titratable acids – 1%.

The fruit's flesh is dense, firm, juicy, and crunchy. It has a distinctive sweet-and-sour flavor and a very powerful aroma, which has earned the variety its exceptional reputation. The official tasting score is 5 out of 5.

Antonovka apple tree: characteristics

Crown and root system

The average height of a tree is directly dependent on the rootstock on which it is grown. Crown It typically has a very vigorous, oval-shaped branch when young. Over the years, it becomes spherical and spreading. Its large, strong branches require no support, even with fairly large harvests. Some trees at maturity can occupy quite large areas up to 9-10 meters in diameter.

The shoots are predominantly geniculate with smooth, brownish bark that becomes rough and brown over time. The trunk can become very large in diameter, to the point that an adult cannot grasp it. The strength, depth, and branching of the rhizome depend on the rootstock. Particularly dense roots are observed at diameters up to 1.2 meters and depths of 60-70 centimeters. This ensures a long lifespan (up to 80-120 years) with consistent, abundant harvests. Scientists have found fruiting specimens 170 and even 200 years old.

Productivity and pollination

The variety is not considered self-sterile, meaning it doesn't require pollinators from other varieties to produce fruit. However, the harvest in this case is meager, so it's common to plant Antonovka apple trees in close proximity to apple trees with suitable flowering times. The fruits hold tightly to the branches even when very overripe. Careful attention must be paid to timely harvesting, otherwise the fruit may rot.

A mature apple tree can produce at least two hundred kilograms of fruit, and in some cases up to 450-500. The record is 1 ton, 200 kilograms, of apples harvested from Antonovka in one season.

Winter hardiness and disease resistance

If there's a paragon of winter hardiness among apple trees, it's definitely the Antonovka, as this tree easily copes with low temperatures. It survives even at temperatures as low as -50°C. That's why it's commonly grown throughout our country, including the Far East and Siberia.

Antonovka doesn't have any special immunity to scab or powdery mildew. However, many gardeners, especially beginners, claim the opposite. It's all about proper care and preventative measures that prevent the development of diseases. If done correctly and promptly, these and many other problems can be easily avoided. Moreover, the variety is much more resistant to garden rot.

Subspecies and rootstocks

In his work, Russian biologist Mikhail Vasilyevich Rytov describes seventeen subspecies of the Antonovka variety, and Michurin already gives designations for 26 species.

Subspecies

The state database of the "Commission of the Russian Federation for Testing and Protection of Selection Achievements" lists only 7 main subspecies, of which it makes sense to highlight three main ones.

Rootstocks

Antonovka is not found on columnar rootstock, although pomologists continue to experiment.

Features of growing Antonovka

Landing

Basic conditions

• The site should be dry; the variety dislikes stagnant water. Groundwater levels less than 2.5 meters are also not ideal, as is the shore of an open body of water.
• For spring planting, the site must be prepared before winter, and for autumn planting, 1.5-2 months in advance.
• Dig holes 60-70 centimeters deep and 90-100 centimeters in diameter. Mix one-third of the soil with fertilizer, backfill, and add 2-3 buckets of water (20-30 liters). It's a good idea to add a little sand to clay soil when planting, and a small amount of clay to sandy soil.
• Leave at least 4-6 meters between trees, preferably alternating them with pollinators.
• Drive in stakes for tying immediately, which are removed approximately 2-3 years after planting.
• Place the seedlings in the holes, cover with soil, gently shaking to eliminate air pockets, and lightly compact the soil without packing it too hard. The root collar should protrude 5-7 centimeters above the surface.
• After planting, the trees are watered with 20 liters of water and mulched with manure, preferably horse manure.

Landing dates

It's best to plant Antonovka in the fall, but you'll need to plan for at least 25-35 days before the first frost. Therefore, the best time to plant is late September or early October, depending on your climate zone. When planting in spring, the trees should be planted before the end of April, when most plants are still sapless.

Protection from frost and rodents

Antonovka is considered an extremely winter-hardy variety, so it requires virtually no frost protection. However, first-year plants, especially those planted in the fall, are best wrapped in burlap or surrounded by spruce branches.

Every fall, be sure to whitewash the trunks and lower skeletal branches with lime to protect them from fungi and pests. It's also a good idea to coat the trunks with lard or grease over the winter to prevent rodent damage.

Tree care

Loosening the soil, watering: proper agricultural technology

Any cultivated plant requires soil loosening, but this variety requires significantly less attention than others. Simply digging around the trunk in the fall is sufficient. It's also a good idea to remove weeds or root suckers, and promptly remove fallen leaves and fruit.

Watering can be done depending on the weather, but it's crucial not to overwater. A good rule to follow is the so-called ten-day rule. It states that if it rains, there's no need to water the trees for the next ten days. If, however, natural moisture returns during this period, the watering schedule should be moved back another ten days.

Pruning: simple crown shaping

In the first year, seedlings don't need pruning, but in the second year, you'll need to shorten the main trunk by one-third and prune every third young branch. Train the crown so it doesn't become overly dense; this will ensure a faster, more abundant harvest.

Sanitary pruning is performed starting in the third year after planting the seedling in open ground. This involves removing all dead, diseased, dry, or damaged branches. This type of pruning can also help shape the crown as needed: palmette, prostrate, sparsely tiered, tiered, or spindle-shaped. It's a good idea to regularly perform rejuvenation pruning every 4-5 years, removing 2-4 mature branches.

Ripening and fruiting of Antonovka apple trees

The beginning of fruiting

Many sellers claim that seedlings begin to bear fruit in fairly large quantities as early as 3-4 years after planting, but this is a marketing ploy. Until approximately 6-8 years, you won't be able to harvest more than 4-15 kilograms of apples from a tree. Cloned apple trees begin bearing fruit earlier, while those grown from seed or on rootstocks begin to bear fruit a little later.

Flowering time

This variety, like others of its kind, blooms mid-late. It begins blooming in mid- to late May, but in some regions it can linger until early June. It produces large white flowers, sometimes with a pink or slightly purple hue, that exude a strong, distinctive fragrance.

Fruiting and growth

This apple tree's growth rate isn't very high; young saplings can grow only 6-8 centimeters per year. Full yields typically don't occur until ten years have passed. Even fairly old trees (50-60 years old) can produce over half a ton of flavorful apples. The apples can be stored until the next harvest.