Apple tree "White filling": characteristics and description of the variety

"White Filling" is a proven, productive apple variety. Growing a tree requires no special gardening knowledge or skills. The apple tree originated in Russia. Let's take a closer look at the variety's key characteristics.

Description of the "White filling" variety

The "White Filling" apple tree grows to a height of 4-5 meters. The bark is gray, and the shoots develop rapidly. The leaves are matte and richly green. The crown of a young tree takes on a pyramidal shape, which changes to a rounded form as the tree matures.

The fruits are oval-round, narrowing towards the calyx. Each apple weighs 60-150 grams. The flesh is white and slightly tart, but still predominantly sweet. Apples contain up to 9% sugar. Ripe apples have a rich aroma. The skin is firm but thin, light yellow. One side of the fruit may develop a slight blush, which appears on the south side, where the sun shines most. These apples are suitable for fresh consumption, juice, and jam.

Features of fruit crops

The yield of one mature tree is 150-200 kilograms. The plant bears fruit reliably year after year. This fruit crop can be planted in any region of Russia, with the exception of the Far East and East Siberia. The fruits are harvested in July or August. Full ripening depends on climate conditions. In the south, harvesting begins in mid-July. In the central zone, the Urals, Altai, and Western Siberia, the fruits ripen in late August.

The plant is winter-hardy. Even the coldest winters won't damage the trees. The variety is highly resistant to diseases, except scab. Diseases occur extremely rarely, usually due to weakened plants. To prevent a decrease in resistance, regular fertilization is necessary.

The fruit tree is not self-fertile. To ensure pollination and a bountiful harvest, the following apple varieties should be planted nearby: 'Medunitsa,' 'Aromat de Vare,' 'Mantet,' and 'Antonovka.' The apple tree begins to bear fruit in the fifth or sixth year after planting. The apples' shelf life does not exceed one month.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The White Filling apple tree has earned great popularity due to the following advantages:

• early ripening of apples;
• resistance to most diseases, low temperatures;
• high and stable yield;
• high taste qualities of fruits;
• versatility of use of the harvested crop.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• short storage period of fruits;
• apples do not tolerate long-distance transportation well;
• is attacked by scab.

Peculiarities of growing apple trees

• When purchasing a seedling, pay attention to the root system. It should be free of dry roots, cuts, mold, or thickenings. A healthy plant should already have 5-6 branches, be about 1.5 meters tall, and have a straight trunk.
• Two-year-old trees are planted in late April or early May; if the plant is more than two years old, planting is done in late September or early October.
• Fruit crops do not tolerate drafts, low groundwater levels, shade from other trees, or acidic soil. To reduce soil acidity, add saltpeter or slaked lime.
• Preparing the site for planting begins several months in advance. The soil is dug over, and humus, superphosphate (30 grams per 1 m²), and nitrogen fertilizer (15 grams per 1 m²) are added.

• Dig holes 60 centimeters in diameter and up to 1 meter deep. Place drainage material at the bottom, then add some of the excavated soil with 50 grams of potassium fertilizer. Place the seedling, spread the roots, cover with the remaining soil, and water with 30 liters of water.
• A stake is installed near the tree to prevent the thin and unstable stem from bending under the influence of the wind, and to ensure that the plant grows straight.
• To prevent the soil under fruit crops from overheating and to reduce moisture evaporation, it is mulched with peat or rotted manure.
• Plants need to be watered from the moment the buds open. Young trees need to be watered weekly. In the third or fourth year, watering is reduced.

• Fertilizers are comprehensive. In April, when leaves begin to emerge, trees should be fed with saltpeter or nitroammophoska. During fruit set, the trees are fertilized with sodium humate. In the fall, the plants are fed with manure.
• The "White Filling" variety is susceptible to scab, as noted above. To prevent the disease, trees are treated in the spring with a copper sulfate-based solution or "Gamair." To prepare a copper sulfate-based solution, dissolve 100 grams of the solution in 10 liters of water. The solution should be stored for a short time, 4-7 hours, after which it begins to form clumps. To prepare a "Gamair"-based solution, dissolve 10 crushed tablets of the substance in 10 liters of water.

Preparing trees for winter

1. Two weeks before the cold weather sets in, a moisture-replenishing irrigation is performed. The water consumption per plant is 100 liters.
2. To protect the trunk from rodents, the lower part of the tree should be wrapped with a waterproofing material or mesh.
3. To protect the root system from freezing, the area around the trunk should be mulched with a 10-15 cm layer of peat or humus.

Gardeners' reviews

Gardeners describe the variety as very productive. It requires little maintenance. The apple tree scores highly on all counts except for its short shelf life and susceptibility to scab. To increase yield, various fertilizers should be applied in the spring and fall. To prevent scab, gardeners recommend spring preventative spraying with copper-containing preparations.

"White filling" is officially recognized as one of the most undemanding and productive summer apple varieties. Even the most inexperienced gardener can grow a fruit tree. "White filling" is common throughout Russia.