Orchard - the pride of the owners of private homes. Organic apples, plucked from their own trees, seem even tastier. Autumn is the most troublesome time for farmers.
During this period, most vegetables ripen fruits. Autumn varieties of apples ripen by September.
From this moment it is necessary to take care of the collection and storage of the crop.
Features varieties of this season
Apples are one of the oldest cultures grown by people. Depending on the time of fruit ripening, they are divided into three main groups: summer, autumn and winter. Average (autumn) varieties have a positive effect on health. and the general condition of the person.
They have a diuretic and choleretic effect, due to the low calorie content used in dietary nutrition. Regular consumption of fruits with a high content of fiber improves digestion, relieves constipation. Apples are rich in iron, potassium, glucose and sucrose, pectin.
Autumn varieties are intermediate between summer and winter. They almost have time to reach consumer maturity on the tree. Full ripening occurs 10-12 days after harvest. These fruits have an average size, bright color, a pleasant dessert taste.
The most common
- Streyfling or autumn striped - one of the most common varieties. Popularity deserved for the high taste of the fruit. The fruits are medium or large, the skin is thin, smooth, with a waxy coating. Coloring in the form of red stripes on a speckled background. The flesh is yellowish, juicy, sweet-sour. Ripens in September, lies until December.
- Oryol striped - the fruits are large, oblong, color green with blurred stripes of crimson color. The flesh is white, fragrant, sour. It should be removed in September, stored in the refrigerator for up to four months.
- Cinnamon Striped - apples are medium or small, the color at the time of removal is green or yellow. Gradually red stripes appear. Appreciated for the tender flesh, pleasant taste and aroma. Lies up to two months.
Collection dates
It is necessary to start harvesting on time, lateness threatens with overripening, and haste - with a lack of rich taste. Autumn varieties traditionally ripen in late August - September. There is no strict harvesting schedule, the harvest time is adjusted depending on the weather conditions of the season.
When is it necessary to remove all the fruits from the bush? One of the ways to determine when to pick an apple is to follow the falling fruits. If there are good whole fruits on earth, it is time to harvest.
Accuracy of the signs of ripening will help determine the exact moment of apple harvest.:
Press on the skin of the fetus and observe the reaction - if it is bent and not leveled, this is a signal of maturation. The burst cover speaks of over-ripeness, fruits are suitable only for processing. When the dent on the side is straightened, the apple needs to ripen.- Fruits must acquire color and taste characteristic of this variety.
- Ripe fruits are easily separated from the branch.
- The seeds inside the fruit become saturated brown.
Press on the skin of the fetus and observe the reaction - if it is bent and not leveled, this is a signal of maturation. The burst cover speaks of over-ripeness, fruits are suitable only for processing. When the dent on the side is straightened, the apple needs to ripen.The degree of ripening is determined empirically using a solution of iodine that reacts with starch.:
- when submerging half of an apple, the cut becomes blue - the fruit is unripe;
- the middle of the cut is yellow, and the blue edge is the optimum moment;
- Apple is yellow - it is overripe.
Gardeners believe that the autumn varieties are better to start collecting a little earlier than the time than to miss the moment.
How to remove from the tree: instructions
Picking apples requires accuracy and knowledge of the specifics of actions.. The fruit is taken with the palm, clasping it with all the fingers. Carefully lifting and scrolling, it is plucked from the branch along with the stalk. You can not pull the apple down, it hurts the branch, reduces the yield of the next year.
From the hands of the fruit is not thrown into the container for collecting (basket, bucket, box), and placed. Any shocks and mechanical damage adversely affect the shelf life.
The fruit is a natural protective layer in the form of a waxy coating. When erasing it, the surface of the apples becomes more vulnerable. Wax prevents the appearance of rot.
The work of picking up apples takes place in a certain sequence.:
- A clear day is selected when the fruits are dry.
- Preparing containers for collection and storage.
- It is recommended to work in textile gloves.
The first fruits are torn from the lower branches, the top is cut off last.- The harvest begins on the south side, and they ripen faster under constant sunlight. The northern part is cleaned in 1-2 days.
- It is not always possible to get the apples from the ground, you should not climb the branches so as not to break them. You can use the ladder.
- For removal of fruit from the upper branches using fruit removers. This is a plastic container with slots for tearing off the stem. They buy the design in a store or do it by hand from a plastic bottle and stick.
The first fruits are torn from the lower branches, the top is cut off last.The harvest must be cooled.and then transported or sent for storage.
How to remove the fruits for storage: what is left?
When they begin to harvest autumn apples from trees, they prepare two containers in advance: one for good and strong fruits, the other for wormy and rotted (including those picked from the ground). Withered fruits can be eaten immediately, and whole ones removed for storage for the winter.
Before placing the crop in storage boxes must be sorted. Calibration by size into small, medium and large will help to evenly distribute the fruits in rows. Apples inspect and leave only those that meet the criteria for long storage:
- have a stalk;
- no damage to the cover, wormholes, dents;
- wax coating in place.
Several varieties can be grown in the garden., their storage time is different, so they are separated when sorting.
For prolonged storage, it is necessary to slow down the processes in the fruit. This contributes to low temperature. It is best to store apples in the refrigerator or basement. The room should be dry, clean, odor free.
Basement is recommended to lime with vitriol. The optimum temperature for autumn varieties is 1-4 ° C. It is better to stack the apples in a single layer, using racks or low wooden boxes placed on top of each other.
Small fruits quickly lose juiciness, and large ones are prone to disease., they spoil first.
To preserve the fruits wrapped in paper. This is a reasonable way, but time consuming. With a large amount of harvest it is difficult to turn around. Fruits can be poured with dry clean sawdust, onion peel, sometimes use sand.
At home, apples are stored in the pantry, on the balcony, in the cellar or refrigerator. Autumn varieties in any conditions do not lie more than three months. Winter varieties are stored up to spring.
Care for the bush for the winter
Having finished picking apples, gardeners do not have to relax. It is necessary to prepare the trees for wintering. Agrotechnical measures will help the tree survive the low temperatures and give a bountiful harvest for the next year. What is autumn care?:
- After the leaves fall, the old and broken branches are removed. Some garden owners carry this job in the spring. You need to cut the branches with a sharp instrument, the cutting places are covered with garden pitch.
From the branches go to the trunk. On it trimmed outgrowths of moss and lichen. Old bark cleaned with a metal brush. Under the apple tree should be spread plastic wrap, it will fall insect pests, hiding in the winter.
- From the ground, remove all the leaves and debris, then dig it. In order for the tree to survive the winter, it must be fed and watered well. Phosphates and potassium are used as fertilizer.
Top dressing can be spread on the ground around the tree before watering. But it is more effective to dissolve it in water. For one tree, 50 g of potassium and 100 g of superphosphate per bucket of water is required.
Autumn watering should help the roots accumulate enough nutrients. The soil is moistened for not less than 1 m. The irrigation rate for young trees is 50 liters, for adults it is 150 liters.
To reduce evaporation of moisture and protect the roots from frost will allow mulching. Straw, humus, peat or shavings are piled around the trunk. In autumn, the tree is treated for pests and diseases.For prevention, it is sprayed with a solution of urea and copper sulphate. After treatment, the barrel is whitened. Cover protect the trunk from cracks and pests. Dry whitewashing can be purchased at the store or prepared by yourself. For this you will need:
- 0.5 kg of copper sulphate;
- 0.3 kg of wood glue;
- 10 liters of water.
To reduce evaporation of moisture and protect the roots from frost will allow mulching. Straw, humus, peat or shavings are piled around the trunk. In autumn, the tree is treated for pests and diseases.If you perform all the necessary actions, the apple tree will easily transfer the winter.
Autumn apples dolezat until spring, these tasty and healthy fruits are eaten first. Fruits collected on time and placed in good conditions are stored until January.. It is a constant source of pectin, trace elements and other health-friendly substances.
