Orlik apple tree: description of the variety

Apple tree, of course, a favorite and main crop in gardens due to its ecological plasticity and a huge variety of varieties. According to taste, vitamin content, aroma, color, possibility of preservation and processing - the choice is inexhaustible. How, among such abundance, can one find exactly the variety that will not only take root well on the plot, give a good harvest, but will also delight all family members with its taste and unusual aroma?

Content:

• Pros and cons of the variety
• Appearance
• additional characteristics

The undoubted leader in taste and other indicators is Orlik. This variety was obtained back in 1959 at the Oryol zonal fruit and berry experimental station by domestic breeders Trofimova and Sedov by crossing two well-known varieties of apple trees: Mekintosh and Bessemyanka Michurinskaya. Apple tree Orlik belongs to winter ripening varieties.

Pros and cons of the variety

The main advantages of this variety include high yield, early fruiting, as well as extreme nutritional value and excellent taste of the fruit. The tasting score of the fruits of the Orlik apple tree is 4.4-4.6 points.

As for the shortcomings, the most noticeable of them can be considered a fairly high percentage of pre-harvest fruit shedding. It also differs in the frequency of fruiting.

Appearance

The Orlik apple tree is small in size with a fairly compact round crown of medium density. The main branches extend almost at right angles, with their ends pointing upward.The bark is smooth and pleasant to the touch, with a slight yellowish tint. The flowers of this apple tree variety are beautiful, large, colored in a rich pink hue while in bud, which gives way to light pink and even whitish during the flowering stage.

The leaves are quite large in size, densely located on the shoot, rough and ribbed, slightly curved towards the vein. The tip of the leaf is sharp, the petiole is thick and short. They have a dark green color with a grayish tint. The buds are conical and medium in size.

The fruits are of medium size and slightly conical, slightly flattened in shape with clearly defined large lobes. The oily, shiny skin of ripe fruits is covered with a whitish, waxy coating. As for the color of the fruit, it varies depending on the stage of ripeness: at the stage of removable ripeness it is greenish-yellow, which at consumer ripeness is replaced by light yellow.

The entire surface of the fruit is covered with blurred reddish-pinkish stripes, merging with each other. Numerous small subcutaneous dots are clearly visible. The pulp is colored in a delicate cream color with a slight admixture of light green tint, and has a dense, fine-grained structure.

The fruits are distinguished by worthy dessert qualities: extreme juiciness, rich sweet taste with hints of acid and a strong pleasant aroma.

additional characteristics

This variety of apple tree is popular among gardeners. Since the crown size is small, the trees can be planted in summer cottages, the area of ​​which is no more than 5 acres. They do not need large spaces; planting at a small distance from each other is quite acceptable. 1-2 meters is enough.While ordinary varieties, for example, white filling, require a significantly greater distance. Therefore, the Orlik apple tree will feel great both in the garden and in the flower bed.

The variety is fast-growing and high-yielding. In terms of the speed of fruit ripening and high growth from year to year, the harvest eclipses Pepin saffron. Already a 4-5 year old Orlik tree produces 20-25 kg of apples. Overgrafted trees bear fruit the next year. After 10-15 years, the yield from one tree is 70-80 kg. And at the age of 15-20 years, the Orlik apple tree pleases its owner with a harvest of up to 120 kg per season. Therefore, the variety is often planted in nurseries; it is in demand both in private gardens and for commercial purposes. However, we should not forget about the frequency, inconstancy of high fruiting and a sufficient percentage of fruit shedding.

Apples usually reach maturity in September. Orlik fruits are of medium size, the weight of one apple is about 100 g. Apples should be harvested almost at the same time as autumn varieties, because delay in harvesting will undoubtedly lead to the shedding of a certain amount of fruits and will significantly reduce their shelf life.

The fruits are quite suitable for consumption immediately after picking. With proper storage, maintaining humidity levels and temperature conditions, the crop is perfectly stored until February-March. Unique taste qualities, ease of storage and transportation, and presentable presentation make this variety attractive to gardeners and profitable for sale.

Orlik apple trees have fairly high winter hardiness. But when expecting a cold winter and severe frosts, it will not be superfluous to wrap the trunks. TO leaf and fruit scab the Orlik variety is moderately resistant (it is only slightly affected by it in unfavorable seasons).