Scab-resistant apple tree varieties for the Moscow region: description and photos

The apple tree is considered the most popular fruit crop. Unlike other tree varieties, it requires little maintenance, and yields a consistent harvest each year if proper cultivation techniques are followed. Currently, over 400 apple varieties are registered in the State Register. They differ in ripening time, flavor, fruit consumption, and yield. Disease resistance, particularly scab resistance, has become an important factor in evaluating a variety. Scab is considered one of the most common diseases of orchard crops. It is difficult to cure, and if severely affected, the tree dies within a few weeks.

Early maturing representatives

For cultivation in the Moscow region, it's important to select apple varieties with average winter hardiness and good immune qualities. These characteristics will be crucial for choosing the right planting material. Below are some of the following varieties of this fruit crop:

"Fairy"

This variety is considered early in ripening, with fruiting occurring in July when grown in central Russia. Fairy is resistant to scab and powdery mildew, is highly frost-hardy, and tolerates drought well. The apples have green skin and sweet-tart flesh. They receive a high taste rating of 4.5 points. The fruits have excellent shelf life: they can be stored for up to two months in the refrigerator or in a cool place.

Red Amber

This variety is distinguished by its early ripening fruit. Fresh apples can be enjoyed as early as the second half of July. The fruits are medium-sized, weighing 200 grams, and have a sweet-tart, juicy flavor. The flesh has a pleasant aroma. The fruit is beautifully colored, with a red skin. Red Amber boasts good winter hardiness and resistance to scab, viruses, and pests. This variety is ideal for growing in the Moscow region.

Even early in its life, the tree is susceptible to fungal and viral infections and rarely gets sick. The apples grow very large, weighing up to 300 grams. They have a dessert-like flavor. They can be used in baked goods, as fillings, compotes, and jams. Ripening begins in July and continues until mid-August. The skin is bright red.

"Fortune"

This medium-sized tree reaches a height of no more than 3 meters. Its compact size allows for easy maintenance, pruning, and harvesting. Ripening occurs in mid-summer. The tree produces a large number of apples. During the season, a mature tree can yield over 200 kilograms of apples. The creamy flesh has a sweet flavor. The firm skin is reddish in color, with fine speckles on the rind. Fortuna is highly resistant to scab and easily tolerates winters with average temperatures not exceeding -25 degrees Celsius.

Golden Summer

The tree is grown on a dwarf rootstock due to its small stature. Fruiting begins 3-4 years after planting. The apples ripen in the second ten days of July, and the last harvest is not until mid-August. The apples have a regular shape and a marketable appearance. Their complex coloration combines several shades: the green skin tints pink in places, and the apples also have a reddish flush from the sun. These apples can be transported long distances and are often grown commercially, as they can be stored for more than two months in a cool place. Golden Summer is suitable for planting in central Russia.

Late-ripening apple trees

These varieties have inherently high winter hardiness and can survive the winter even without covering their branches and shoots. Winter-hardy varieties almost always have a high immune system, so they are not susceptible to powdery mildew or scab.

"Nocturne"

Apples ripen on the tree in late September. Abundant fruit production (over 150 kilograms per mature tree) makes this variety suitable for commercial cultivation. The fruits are large and attractive. Nocturne is considered a premium variety because its apple flesh has a sweet, dessert-like flavor. Nocturne is resistant to diseases such as scab and similar infections and overwinters quite resiliently.

Vasilisa

A native Russian apple variety. The peak harvest occurs in mid-autumn, with the last apple trees picked just before frost. The apples have a beautiful pink skin and a sweet and tart flavor. The flesh is tender and rich in juice. Vasilisa received a high flavor rating of 4.7. The variety is highly resistant to scab but can be susceptible to powdery mildew. To prevent disease development, the tree is treated with fungicides every spring.

Lyubava

The tree's crown isn't prone to becoming dense and doesn't require careful shaping, yet the apples ripen actively, primarily in late September. The fruits are quite large, with some weighing up to 300 grams or more. These versatile apples are excellent for making jam, preserves, compotes, and liqueurs. Lyubava has a sweet and sour flavor. The variety easily survives temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius and, when grown in the Moscow region, can be grown without winter cover.

Margot

Large, slightly oblong apples ripen on the tree in mid-autumn. They receive a high taste rating of 4.8 points. The flesh is creamy and has a delicate fruity aroma. The skin is green, but develops a yellow tint when fully ripe. The fruit stores well and does not spoil. Margo is susceptible to scab and powdery mildew.

"Orpheus"

The tree's medium size makes it suitable for growing even in small garden plots. This variety is ideal for growing in the Moscow region and surrounding areas, as it is highly frost-hardy and disease-resistant. Large, round apples are spherical in shape, with a dull, muted color. The apples have a sweet, tart flavor. They are primarily eaten fresh. The Orpheus variety never lingers and is quickly consumed.

Popular varieties

Due to the wide variety of known apple tree species, it's possible to identify those that are the most popular. These varieties are the most common in garden plots, and gardeners continue to enjoy growing them and speak highly of them.

White filling

This long-known variety has been cultivated in Russia for several decades. It is most widespread in the central part of the country. Naliva ripens early, occurring in midsummer. The apples are small, weighing up to 100 grams. The skin is yellow-green. The variety has moderate resistance to scab, so spring treatment with fungicides or copper sulfate will not harm it.

Arkadik

This variety was developed by Russian breeders for the temperate climate of central Russia. Its large fruits have a sweet-tart flavor and a pleasant aroma. Arkadik ripens in the first half of summer. It is highly resistant to scab, and its roots are prone to rot.

Mantet

This variety came to Russia from Poland. It has good frost resistance and can be grown in areas near Moscow. The flesh is very tender and sweet. The apples are mainly grown for fresh consumption. The fruits are beautiful and appetizing. The variety is self-fertile and does not require pollinators. Its drawbacks include a late fruiting period, which usually occurs in the fifth or even sixth year after the tree is first grown.

"Bogatyr"

Bogatyr has excellent immune system properties; the variety's name speaks for itself. The apple tree is virtually never susceptible to disease. Ripening begins in September and continues until the last frost, with the apples remaining on the branches for quite some time. The fruits are large, weighing up to 300 grams. The variety received a 4.5 rating for taste. Bogatyr is characterized by high yields; even in a poor, rainy summer, yields will not fall below 100 kilograms per tree aged 5-7 years.

Even though many varieties are highly resistant to scab, preventative annual treatments should not be forgotten, much less neglected. Scab infestations begin in early spring, when buds are just beginning to open. To prevent scab from affecting shoots, spray the apple tree with fungicides at this time. Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate can be used instead of fungicides. The entire tree, including the area around the trunk, should be sprayed. If this procedure is performed regularly, the apple tree will remain disease-free and will live for 20 years or more.