Old varieties of fruit trees return to favor more and more oftenWith great sentiment, young gardeners look forold varieties of apple treesand other trees remembered from their gardens your grandparents. Where does this fondness for fruit remembered from childhood come from? Why areold varieties of fruit treesso valued today? See where to look for them, which varieties to choose and what they aresecrets of growing old fruit trees !
Old varieties of fruit trees - most old varieties can be found among apple trees
Why are old varieties of fruit trees so valuable
In recent years, there has been a trend to plant newvarieties of fruit treesin home and allotment gardens, mainly dessert and annual yields. Fruit trees, especially apple trees, grafted on vigorously growing rootstocks, were replaced with plants of limited growth, grafted on dwarf rootstocks.
"Why was this happening? These new dwarf fruit trees have many advantages. First of all, reaching a small size, they allow them to be planted more densely, so that even a small plot area can yield a large yield. It also allows you to plant more species and varieties, and therefore obtain a greater variety of fruits that will go to our table from the plot. Besides, it seems easier to care for smaller trees and carry out harvesting - a worn-out ladder may have gone into oblivion.
But, but … not everything that glitters is gold! While in commercial production, in industrial orchards, newvarieties of fruit treesreaching limited sizes turned out to be a bull&39;s eye, in amateur crops where we rather avoid the use of chemicals, a certain rasp … "
Well, trees grafted on dwarf rootstocks turned out to be much less viable and more susceptible to diseases and pests. In order for them to grow he althily and yield abundantly, they require heavy fertilization and a number of protective treatments. In other words, artificial fertilizers and pesticides are on the move. And that was not what it was all about … Nowadays, more people pay attention to the possibility of obtaining he althy fruit and vegetables from their own plot without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, or at least with a very limited use.
Therefore, more and more often there is a return to the cultivation of proven, long-lived,old varieties of fruit trees- more resistant to diseases and pests and requiring less cultivation (especially in the later stages of development). The large apple trees that used to grow in almost every farmyard are returning to favor. More and more often, the recovery and continuation of the cultivation of old trees that have been preserved here and there on plots is also being considered.Organizations have even formed to preserveold varieties of fruit treesin places where they were once traditionally grown. The first such project was launched in 1995 in the area of the Lower Vistula Landscape Park, and is supervised by members of the Society of Friends of the Lower Vistula. One of the effects of their activities is the establishment of a collection of old apple varieties in Chrystkowo.
"All this is in line with the current trend of reversing towards ecology and natural cultivation methods, especially in amateur gardening. We have enough fruit from the store shelves, beautiful looking, unexpectedly large, but tasty and grown using a mass of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. We miss childhood flavors more and more often -old varieties of applesfrom our grandparents&39; gardens, which, although less impressive and sometimes with a worm, tasted completely different and were richer in nutrients. "
It is also worth noting other advantages of old orchards that the average amateur gardener may not be aware of. Old backyard orchardscan protect against wind and water erosion. Inside the crowns of large trees there is a specific microclimate that allows the growth of lichens. Strings of fruit trees by dirt roads are excellent hiding places and feeding places for small game.
These numerous advantages ofold varieties of fruit treesmake it worth considering returning to their cultivation in allotments and in home gardens. Below I present selected old varieties of the most popular fruit trees - apple trees. All the varieties listed here are currently commercially available.
Old varieties of fruit trees - apple tree 'Papierówka'
Old apple varieties
Among the summer varieties it is worth mentioning the still quite popular old variety of apple treesYellow Olive (Papowka)It is perfect for amateur cultivation due to its high frost resistance and low susceptibility to scab and apple mildew.Its fruits have a wide range of uses. First of all, they are dessert fruits (harvested when fully ripe), but they are also perfect as an ingredient in preserves (for this purpose, we collect them less ripe).
Another summer variety is the Vilnius regionAnanas BerżenickiIt is also resistant to frost and not very susceptible to diseases. The trees grow vigorously, forming spherical crowns, moderately dense. Their fruit is typically dessert, large, spherical-conical, with a greenish-yellow skin covered with a pink blush. The flesh is creamy, firm (brittle when ripe), not very juicy, with a wine-sweet flavor. They are typically dessert fruits.
Old varieties of fruit trees - apple tree 'Kronselka'
Among early autumn varieties many advantages are presented Kronselka
"People who prefer to stick to Polish varieties can chooseKosztelęI recommend this variety as a problem-free one - it is characterized by high frost resistance, low susceptibility to diseases, it is also reluctant to be attacked by pests. However, you have to take into account that it starts fruiting quite late, it bears fruit abundantly but alternately. Costeli fruits are very popular - juicy and sweet. They ripen in the second half of September. They keep well (in a cold store until the end of December). "
Old varieties of fruit trees - apple tree 'Antonówka'
Another autumn variety worth recommending is Antonówka
Nevertheless, a well-known old autumn variety isOrange CokeIt is an English variety, known already in the 19th century. These trees initially grow strongly, then slower. They come to fruiting early, but fructification is moderate. The fruit is medium-sized, covered with a fairly thick skin. The flesh is crisp, juicy with a characteristic pear aftertaste.
"Among the old autumn varieties in trade there is alsoLandsberska , sometimes also called Reneta Landsberska. It gives quite large fruit with a juicy, clearly wine-like flesh. They are dessert fruits, also used in processing.They can be stored for quite a long time. It starts fruiting early but, like most old varieties, it bears fruit alternately. Unfortunately, it has poor frost resistance and is susceptible to diseases, which is why I do not recommend it to amateurs of trouble-free cultivation on a plot. However, it is a treat for collectors of rarer varieties, giving fruit with an excellent taste. "
Old varieties of fruit trees - apple tree 'Szara reneta'
"It&39;s time for winter tires, among which Renety is of course the leader. Here, the most popular isGolden Reneta(also known as Queen Renet) - it is a variety originating from England, cultivated since the 17th century. It is an early winter variety. Its fruits are medium to large, with a firm, medium-juicy, wine-sour flesh with a slight spicy aftertaste. They are suitable for direct consumption as well as for preserves. They keep well. The trees start fruiting early, they produce abundantly, although alternately.The advantages also include low susceptibility to diseases. Unfortunately, it is less resistant to frost. "
When looking for a more frost-resistant Reneta, chooseGray Renetę. The fruits of this variety are large, juicy, also with a characteristic spicy aftertaste. The bottoms of baked goods are very often used, for salads and salads, as well as for drought. Harvest maturity is at the end of September and can be stored even until February.
Finally, I will mention the lesser-known early winter varietyWilhelm Emperor , also known asRed RenetaSimilar to the above-mentioned Renet, its fruits are juicy, sour sweet with a spicy aftertaste and good storage. A variety rather only for collectors. I do not recommend amateur cultivation, because it starts fruiting late (even after 8 to 10 years), it is not very resistant to frost, and although it is resistant to scab and mealworm, in some years it is strongly affected by fine subcutaneous blotch.
I am convinced that everyone who has enough space on the plot to plant a large fruit tree will choose something for themselves. We will appreciate such a tree when birds chirp in its crown in spring, in summer - you will be able to rest in the shade of its crown, and in autumn you will have a lot of fun harvesting with someone from your family who will be needed to hold the ladder: -)
