Red Chief is an apple dream that American breeders managed to realize. They created a variety whose fruits meet the best ideas about apples. The apple tree, during the fruiting period, is strewn with bright red large fruits with a great taste. Moreover, they retain this taste until the end of spring.
Grade "Red Chief"
Fruits are large, weighing up to 250 g
When and how was the variety bred?
Red Chief is the brightest representative of apple varieties bred on the American continent. The story of the appearance of the variety began with the 20th century. It was obtained by breeding from Red Delicious. There is an opinion that a new type of apples was not introduced intentionally, but by chance - by crossing the Golden Reinet and Grims Golden varieties. Red Chief appeared on the market in 1914.
Description and characteristics of the apple tree Red Chief
Red Chief is an autumn early variety. Due to the excellent presentation of fruits and high productivity, the variety is ideal for commercial cultivation. Fruits ripen around the end of September, and reach consumer maturity in December.
Characteristics of the variety Red Chief:
- Wood. Medium-sized, with a compact rounded crown. This allows you to plant nearby apples of another variety, without fear that the trees will compete. The annual growth of the tree is 5-7 cm.
- Fruit. Relatively large. The average weight is 180-200 g. Individual specimens can reach 400 g. They have a conical, slightly elongated shape, on the top of the apple - 5 tubercles. Creamy pulp is quite dense, juiciness is not different. The main background is green-yellow, but a bright red integument spreads over the entire fruit. The peel of the apple is covered with wax, easily distinguishable on the surface. Taste is high, tasting ball - 4.8 out of 5 possible.
Pros and cons of the variety
Benefits:
- Tightness of fit. This is possible due to the compact crown and mid-height of the tree. The condition is the use of medium-sized or weak-growing stocks.
- Early maturity. Two years after planting in a permanent place, the apple tree begins bearing fruit.
- The attractiveness of the fruit. Apples are beautiful and delicious - ideal for sale. The fruits have a lot of sugar and vitamin C, and the percentage of acids is small.
- Fruits are insensitive to mechanical damage and are well transported.
- Long shelf life of apples. Even without special conditions and equipment, the fruits remain attractive until February.
- Wide distribution area.
- Undemanding to leaving.
- High immunity against powdery mildew and bacterial burn.
Disadvantages:
- Insufficiently high frost resistance. It is necessary to warm the tree for the winter.
- It does not tolerate drought. It is important to moisten the soil in a timely manner.
- Low resistance to bitter spotting, vitreous pulp, rot and scab.
Fruiting and Yield
Red Chief belongs to the high-yielding varieties. Fruit bearing:
- The age of the tree. The first crops are limited to 30 kg per tree. With age, the fertility of the tree increases - one plant can produce up to 120-150 kg of apples.
- Weather. Yields fall if extremely low temperatures were observed in winter, or if there was a hot, arid period in summer. It happens even after adverse weather in fruiting appears periodicity.
Are pollinators required?
The variety refers to self-infertile. To ensure high productivity, next to Red Chief it is necessary to plant apple trees of another variety - for pollination. Recommended pollinating varieties:
- Golden Delicious;
- Elstar
- Gloucester.
Regional and suitable climate
Red Chief - medium resistant variety. At temperatures minus 25 ° C, the tree freezes. Also, the variety does not tolerate spring frosts. Suitable regions for cultivation are the center and south of Russia. The optimum climate for the variety is moderate.
To the north of the Moscow region, cultivating the variety is not recommended. Even in the suburbs, he needs warming, which will help him tolerate low temperatures without harming his own health and crop.
Preparing and planting the Red Chief apple tree
Before planting seedlings, the gardener must choose a suitable site and prepare a pit for planting on it. The further growth and fruiting of the tree depends on the characteristics of the plot and the starting growth conditions.
Site selection and soil preparation
The development of the apple tree and its yield largely depends on the place of planting. When deciding where to plant a Red Chief seedling, consider the following requirements for the site:
- Good light. In order for the fruits to acquire a bright color during the ripening period, sunlight must fall on them.
- No drafts and protection from the north wind.
- An exception of stagnation of water - it is impossible to plant seedlings in hollows and hollows.
- The optimal type of soil is loam. On sandy loam soils, the variety's frost resistance is reduced.
- Low water table. The proximity of water provokes rotting of the roots - seedlings can die.
Areas on slopes and hills are welcome. It is recommended to land on the south side of buildings, structures, fences - they will shelter the plant during the return frosts.
For planting take seedlings on medium or weak rootstocks. Then the trees are planted according to the scheme - 4x1.5 m.
Soil preparation:
- Fall. Closer to autumn, the soil is cleaned of the remnants of agricultural crops and dug it. Digging is not postponed for a long time - it is best done in late summer or early fall. All weeds emerging after digging are removed. Digging depth - level of the fertile layer.
- Spring. In the spring, the soil is loosened. Thanks to loosening, the soil crust formed during the winter is destroyed, and the evaporation of moisture from the soil is also prevented.
There is an opinion that digging before planting seedlings is optional, but this agricultural technique has serious advantages:
- soil accumulates moisture and nutrients;
- pest larvae move closer to the surface and freeze in winter;
- the fertile layer is aligned over the entire surface.
Further, soil preparation is carried out taking into account its type:
- Clay. Dig the soil half a meter. Its composition is improved by humus, sawdust, river sand, rotted manure, peat or compost, lime. Then mineral fertilizers are applied - complex (100-150 g) or superphosphate (70 g), as well as potash fertilizers (50 g).
- Sandy. A year before planting seedlings, the soil is dug up - no more than half a meter. They bring clay, compost, manure, peat, humus, lime, potassium and superphosphate.
If you have to plant a whole garden, then the soil is sown with green manure. When the grass grows, it is mowed and left to lie until digging.
Dates and requirements
You can plant seedlings in spring and autumn. This is recommended:
- in the end of April;
- in mid-September or early October.
Choosing autumn seedlings for planting, it is necessary to take into account the risks associated with frost. The trees are planted so that between the day of planting and the probable frosts there should be at least a month. This time is necessary for the quality rooting of seedlings.
When choosing a landing time, the specific climatic features of the region are also taken into account. So, for example, in the suburbs, spring landing is preferable.
Step-by-step landing recommendations
The order of planting seedlings:
- Landing pattern - 4x1.5 m.
- The depth of the pit is 60 cm, the width is 70 cm.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pit - dry branches. Peat and humus are poured on top.
- Sprinkling organic fertilizer with soil, put the seedling on the mound, spreading the roots. They fill the hole with soil, and water the seedling with two buckets of water.
Tree care
Care for the Red Chief variety includes the entire set of standard agricultural activities. Productivity depends on the correctness and timeliness of the following procedures.
Watering and mulching
Throughout the spring-summer season, apple trees should receive the required amount of moisture. Watering is carried out as necessary - the soil should not dry out, but the water in it should not stagnate, moderate moisture should be applied.
After irrigation, the soil must be loosened - around the trunk and over the entire area covered by the crown. Weed vegetation is removed during cultivation - it absorbs nutrients destined for the tree. In addition, loosening provides air circulation in the soil.
The soil is a near-stem circle, mulched in autumn. This event prevents freezing of the roots in winter. As mulch, materials are used that improve the structure of the soil, nourish it, protect it from erosion, leaching, freezing and drying out.
When choosing mulch, they take into account the ability of the material to pass air into the soil and release harmful compounds from it. For Red Chief mulch, it is best to use humus, but it will also work:
- sawdust;
- mowed grass;
- fallen foliage;
- hay;
- organic compost.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers laid during planting for a long time enough seedling. Further dressing goes according to a simple scheme:
- In the summer, in the first year of planting, nitrogen fertilizers are applied.
- In the year of the first fruiting, potash and phosphorus fertilizers are introduced.
- During the first flowering, superphosphate or urea must be added.
When the tree begins to bear fruit, it is fed 4 times per season - with mineral fertilizers and urea.
All dressings are introduced into the trunk circle. Fruit-bearing apple trees are fed 3-4 times a year:
- At the end of April, urea (500-600 g) is added or humus is scattered around the tree (6 buckets).
- During flowering, the tree is fed a second time. In hot weather, fertilizers are applied in liquid form. Superphosphate (1 kg), potassium sulfate (800 g), slurry (10 l) and liquid bird droppings (5 l) are dissolved in 200 l of water. Instead of manure and litter, urea (500 g) can be added. One tree - 40-50 liters of solution. Before top dressing, the tree is watered, then fertilizer is applied and watered again.
Fertilizer application rates based on fruit tree age
Planting year | Barrel circle diameter, m | Organic fertilizers, kg | Nitrogen, g | Phosphorus, g | Potassium g |
2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 15 |
3-4 | 2,5 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 30 |
5-6 | 3 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
7-8 | 3,5 | 20 | 60 | 40 | 60 |
9-10 | 4 | 25 | 75 | 50 | 75 |
11-12 | 5 | 40 | 120 | 80 | 150 |
Spraying and Pest Control
Most of all, Red Chief suffers from:
- Scabs. This is a fungal disease that affects literally all parts of the tree, including the fruits. A disease can completely destroy the crop. To combat scab, fungicides are used - Skor, Chorus, Rayek, Bordeaux liquid. Treatments with horsetail infusion and a solution of dry mustard are also useful.
- Spotting. Another fungal disease that affects the leaves of the apple tree. For prevention, a tree is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid or copper chloride. A folk remedy is an infusion of ash and garlic.
- Apple codling moth. The larvae of this pest eat up the pulp of the fruit, taking a good part of the crop. For the fight, a complex of agrotechnical measures and spraying with insecticides are used.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended:
- promptly remove plant debris;
- dig the soil in the fall;
- thin out the crown, ensuring normal air circulation;
- plant apple trees on the hills.
Spraying procedure:
- First treatment - Before budding, the trees are sprayed with insecticides.
- After flowering - repeated spraying with insecticidal drugs. It is late and most of the fruits will be affected by the moth.
- Last processing - during fruit pouring, but no later than a month before harvesting.
It is strictly forbidden to spray trees during flowering - this will kill pollinating insects and destroy many ovaries.
Pruning
Apple tree pruning scheme:
- The first pruning is carried out immediately after planting the seedling - its central conductor is cut by 15 cm, leaving no more than five buds.
- In the second year, they begin to form a crown - pruning is carried out so that the branches are not opposite each other.
- In the future, sanitary pruning is performed - freeing the tree, as necessary, from sick, damaged and weakened branches.
Slices, after each pruning, are treated with garden varieties - to prevent infection by infections.
Breeding
The Red Chief variety is sold by nurseries selling fruit tree seedlings. Amateur gardeners, if desired, can grow the Red Chief apple tree on their own.
Three methods of reproduction are practiced:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- vaccinated.
A tree propagated by any of the above methods retains the original varietal characteristics. And if vaccination is a rather difficult way of propagation for beginners, then anyone can grow a tree from layering and cuttings.
We recommend reading an article that tells about the spring vaccination of apple trees.
Propagation by layering:
- An annual tree is planted, making a large slope to the ground.
- They dig up young shoots in spring.
- Shoots formed from the kidneys spud and watered.
- In the autumn, rooted shoots are insulated.
- When the next spring comes, the shoots are cut with secateurs from the mother plant and planted in a place prepared for the planting of a new tree.
Propagation by cuttings is even easier - a branch is broken and fixed. Then cut off and immersed in water with activated charcoal - for three weeks to take root. Ready planting material is planted in a greenhouse.
Winter preparations
Preparation of the apple tree for winter is preceded by sanitary pruning and harvesting under the tree. Foliage is removed from the trunk circle and the soil is dug up. Preparation for wintering begins no earlier than the average daily temperature is set at 10 ° C.
The preparation for wintering:
- whitewashing of the lower branches and the base of the apple tree trunk (read more about whitewashing of the apple tree here);
- mulching with humus;
- protection against rodents and frosts.
How to protect a seedling from freezing:
- around the trunk they build a support or frame;
- on top of the seedling they throw a burlap, and tightly bandage it with twine - carefully so as not to damage the trunk;
- as soon as the snow falls, they throw it on top of a seedling covered with burlap.
To warm the seedlings, you can not use non-woven material that does not allow air to pass through.
In adults, apple trees warm the root system - a spruce branch is thrown into the trunk circle, which will protect the roots of the tree from freezing. Lapnik can also be used to warm the trunk. Lapnik can be fixed with ropes.
To protect against rodents, different methods are used - protective and repelling. The latter include, for example, hanging on the branches of black polyethylene or bright cardboard. You can buy special repellers.
The following materials will help protect the tree immediately from frost and from rodents:
- burlap - for strapping;
- metal mesh - for making a fence.
It is recommended to decompose the poison into the burrows of mice and rats - these pests should be disposed of in a radical way.
Harvesting and Storage
Red Chief applies to varieties of long-term storage. Its fruits, harvested in September, are laid for storage, and they retain excellent consumer qualities for a long time. Apples, under favorable conditions corresponding to the temperature and humidity standards of storage, can last up to seven months.
The fruits of Red Chief, due to the dense pulp, are resistant to damage, therefore they tolerate transportation well.
Reviews about the variety Red Chief
In their reviews, gardeners amateurs, as well as ordinary consumers, have left a lot of laudatory words. Especially noted are qualities such as resistance to powdery mildew and the possibility of growing in different regions of the country. Separately note the quality of the fruit - consumers are attracted by their taste and rare beauty.
Gennady R., Novosibirsk. Red Chief is undeniably the best variety in my garden. These apple trees do not require large care, and the yield is excellent. There are no problems with their implementations - I personally have not seen more beautiful apples. I’m going to increase planting in order to continue to profit from my garden.
Valentina L., Krasnodar Territory. Even one middle-aged Red Chief tree, which grows in our country house, gives a lot of positive to the whole family. We eat apples all winter - they are stored very well. This is my favorite variety, so I decided to propagate it by layering, even though the plot is small, but I can find a place for 2-3 apple trees.
Max bts
So protect the tree for the winter, the variety itself can withstand -25.
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The Red Chief variety is deservedly popular among gardeners. The only obstacle to its promotion in the regions is the harsh climate. The disadvantages of the variety are overshadowed by the clear advantages of this proven for years variety - it is unpretentious, harvested, large-fruited, and its apples have a truly fabulous look.
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Russia. City Novosibirsk
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