Red Chief apple tree

Apple Tree Red Chief – late summer large-fruited variety of North American origin (USA, Virginia). In the United States, the variety was registered in 1914, brought to Russia in the late 70s of the twentieth century. The apple tree was successfully adapted and tested in the Krasnodar Territory, and in 2016 – included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for the Caucasian and Central Black Earth regions.

Variety advantages: tree compactness, late ripening, resistance to bacteriosis and powdery mildew, crop safety, commercial attractiveness of fruits.

Characteristics of the variety

Treefast growing, 3.5 m high with a compact narrow pyramidal crown. Suitable for dense planting and small areas. The branches are winding, moving away from the trunk at almost a right angle, directed upwards. The foliage is medium-sized, elongated with a sharp tip and gentle nerve.

Applesof the correct conical shape, with a wide ribbed surface, large. The average fruit weight is 175 gr., the maximum – 250 gr. Funnel obtuse, medium width. Peel – dense, glossy, red on most of the fruit. Pulp – greenish, fine-grained. Taste – juicy, sweet with medium flavor. Tasting assessment – 4.7 points out of 5.

Purpose: The fruits have an attractive presentation, excellent keeping quality and long shelf life (7-8 months), resistant to transportation. Therefore, the variety is suitable for commercial cultivation. Apples can be eaten fresh, prepared from compotes, desserts, etc.

Yield. "Red Chief" refers to high-yielding varieties. During the season, 380 centners are harvested from one hectare of plantings. fruits. The first apples on the tree appear already in the second year of planting, and productive fruiting begins from the third season. Young trees give about 30-40 kg of apples. The productive period lasts at least 25 years.

Ripening period of Red Chief apples late summer – harvested from September to October.

Immuneto bacteriosis and powdery mildew. The variety is moderately resistant to rot, prone to scab, bitter spot.

Growing conditions. Apple variety "Red Leader" it has good drought and heat resistance, while it loves moisture. Trees withstand frosts up to –25°C, so apple trees must be insulated for the winter.

The most favorable conditions for growing "Red Chief":

• temperate climate;
• clay and sandy slightly acidic soils, chernozem;
• distance between trees when planting 1–2 m.

Beware of crafts and "sick" planting material! Buy seedlings of the apple tree "Red Chief" in nurseries and specialized stores.

Preparations