The “Cowberry” variety apple-tree has become a favorite among many gardeners because of a number of advantages, by which it stands out favorably among similar varieties.
Let's find out together what advantages and disadvantages are inherent in the “Cranberry” variety, how to plant it properly, how to store and use the crop.
Breeding history
The apple tree was bred in Moscow through the efforts of the All-Russian Institute of Breeding as a result of free pollination of an unknown seedling. The process was led by scientist A. V. Petrov. In 1977, the variety was accepted for testing on a national scale. 
Tree description
According to the description, the height of the apple-tree cultivar "Cowberry" reaches 2-3 meters, which allows to rank it as natural dwarf. The tree is very compact, grows discreetly, develops slowly (the growth of branches every year is no more than 7 cm), and therefore it is always beautiful. It is characterized by an average thickening of the crown, a sprawling form, which, as the plant grows, becomes weeping. Branches are red-brown, thin. The foliage is large and green. The bark on the trunk is gray and smooth.
This variety of apple refers to the early autumn or late summer.
In the autumn, such apple trees as Gala, Red Chif, Shtreyfling, Semerenko, Pepin saffron, Bashkir beauty, Uralets, Sun, Zhigulevskoe give fruits.
Fruit Description
The size of apples is average or less than average. In weight it reaches 100-120 g. The fruits are barrel-conical in shape. The skin is moderately dense, smooth, oily and with a waxy coating. Color cream, light. Because of the blush of purple color, distributed over almost the entire surface, the apple has a very attractive appearance. The stem is long and thin, curved. The funnel is of medium width and depth. The saucer is characterized by folding, medium size. 
Pulp of apple of a cream shade, coarse-grained, moderate density. Apple juicy, tender, sweet and sour. Tastes are good. Aroma of medium intensity.
Lighting Requirements
Apple need well lit place. This is a pledge of good harvest and sweetness of fruits.
Did you know? Apples are so popular in the world that almost every second tree on earth is an apple tree. About 5 million hectares of gardens on the planet - apple.
Soil requirements
Cowberry Apple is needed constant moderate watering and the soil is sufficiently saturated with air. Groundwater should be at a level of 2-2.5 m. Suitable loamy, sandy, floodplain soils or leached black soil. Sandy soil is suitable if fertilized correctly. The soil should be with low acidity: pH 5.6-6.0.
When planting, of course, the necessary amounts of fertilizers are applied, but they need to be replenished without waiting for even a year. The soil should be periodically watered, which will allow you to feed the garden more efficiently. In the spring nitrogen will be suitable for feeding, in summer - potassium. In the autumn using phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. They can simply sprinkle the soil around the tree at the level of rhizomes, and watering will do its job. The method of applying horse humus or humus during planting, ammonium nitrate or urea also works well.
Important! Do not allow stagnant water! It is better to water more often, but less. If, nevertheless, there is a possibility of flooding, it is necessary to provide drainage or choose another place for landing, preferably an elevated one. If this is not done, the apple tree will die or will develop poorly.
Square pristvolnogo circle need to weed and loosen, you can plant flowers on it. 
The best pollinators
The apple tree blooms in mid-May, for the ovary needs donor pollination "Melboi" or "Suislepsky". Also suitable "White filling."
Fruiting
The first crop can be harvested in the second or third year after planting.
Fruiting is stretched in time, as the fruits ripen for a long time. Harvest can be harvested 2-3 times in a row, as apples are heavily showered from the tree.
Terms of flowering and ripening
Apple blossoms in 2-3 decades of May. In order for the fruits to start, it is imperative to fight pests. Fruits ripen at one time. In some regions, the first apples appear at the end of summer, and in others - at the end of September.
Yield
There are a lot of fruits on a tree, such a crop happens regularly. 150 kg can be removed from the apple, which is 8 years old. But in unfavorable years, apples are few. To increase the yield, you need to take good care of the apple trees, and in the first year of flowering to tear off the entire color. Also important is constant watering, about three times a month, so that the soil does not dry out. Rationing increases the mass of fruits. 
Transportability and storage
Fruit storage is very short: maximum 5 weeks under good conditions. Transportability is normal.
Disease and pest resistance
Common pests include weevil bark beetle, wintering, and bekarka.
Important! Proper pruning of branches is the key to the health of the tree, the prevention of disease. Pruned 1/3 of the branches after planting an apple tree. A year after that, only a skeleton is left during pruning, cutting off everything else to the shtambu. Annually cut off weak and crooked branches. It is necessary to cut off in moderation so that there are enough branches for fruiting.
The scab is almost not terrible for this variety, but without care, the apple tree can undergo cytosporosis or fruit rot (moniliosis).
Fungicidal treatment is required. A good effect is given by spraying 3% Bordeaux liquid, they do it in spring or autumn, when there are no leaves. In the rainy season you need to spend a few procedures. This method is called eradicating, because it acts in a complex on pests and diseases.
To protect the apple tree from pests such as mice and hares, you can use nylon pantyhose. Also sold a special mesh from rodents. 
Frost resistance
Apple tree is very good tolerates frosts down to -40 ° C. A young tree is not adapted to the cold, and it should still be warmed in the first years.
The tree can be completely covered with snow so that the upper branches do not frost up in the snowless winter. In the fall, you can mulch the ground around the trunk with a layer of humus 5 cm and cover the entire apple tree with a covering material.
To increase the frost resistance, it is also recommended to ration the harvest.
Fruit use
From apples of this variety, you can cook any dishes. It is best to make them juices, jams, compotes, jams and other products, because fresh fruits will not be stored for a long time. Variety also applies to wine. The taste of fruit is estimated at 4.5-5 on a five-point scale.
Did you know? Even before the Neolithic people were familiar with the apple tree - the charred remains of it were found during excavations of prehistoric sites on the territory of modern Switzerland.
Advantages and disadvantages
Grade advantages:
- Abundant harvest every year.
- The fruits are universal in use.
- Frost resistance.
- Ease of care and ease of placement due to the compact size.
- Apples are very beautiful.
The disadvantages are:
- Low shelf life of apples.
- Medium resistance to scab and drought.
- Apples too small in size.
Apple "Cowberry" is really attractive with many qualities. If you want to have a tree in your garden that you don’t need to take a lot of care for, which is resistant to great frosts, the crop from which it is easy to harvest and make any kind of delicacy from it, then your choice is obvious. Proper care will provide you with a bountiful harvest of the most beautiful and delicious apples.
