Apple tree "Spartan": characteristics and care

The Spartan apple tree is an American cultivar, developed from varieties such as Yellow Newtown and McIntosh. It has been known in Canada since 1926, was introduced to Ukraine in 1986, and later arrived in Russia.

The Spartan apple tree has many positive qualities, but also a few, albeit significant, drawbacks. Let's take a detailed look at all the characteristics of this variety and learn where and how to grow it.

Description and characteristics

In Canada, the Spartan apple tree is grown primarily for commercial purposes, and it is one of the main varieties for export. In our country, this variety is most often planted in private orchards, not for sale. Unfortunately, growing this apple tree in central Russia is extremely difficult, as the Spartan does not tolerate frosty winters well. However, the climate of our country's southern regions is ideal for this variety.

The apples reach technical maturity in the second half of September and should be harvested in October, with the fruit's flavor and aroma fully developing only in December. This variety is early-bearing, with seedlings bearing fruit in the fourth or fifth year after planting. Under favorable conditions, the first flowers may appear as early as the third year. Yields are good, but irregularities can occur.

Spartan is partially self-fertile; without pollinators, it produces average yields. Maximum fruitfulness can be achieved by planting nearby apple trees such as Idared, Rubinovoye Duki, Calville Snezhny, Umanskoye Zimnee, Melba, Bogatyr, Kitayka, and Severny Sinap.

Characteristics of the tree and fruits

The tree grows rapidly, but is characterized by a medium height and a rounded, wide, dense crown that requires careful maintenance. Annual shoots are densely pubescent, cherry-brown, and have few or no lateral branches. The leaves are rounded or oval with a curled tip. This variety bears fruit on ringlets.

Spartan apples are easily distinguished from other varieties, with a distinctive, recognizable appearance. Fruits weigh between 100 and 200 grams, with an average weight of 150–170 grams. The apples are light yellow with a rich pinkish-burgundy blush covering most of the apple. The skin is dense, tough, smooth, and oily, with numerous small white specks and a thick waxy coating that gives the apples a purple hue. The shape is round, flattened, or slightly conical, with slight ribbing near the stem.

The flesh is white with barely visible, sparse red veins, dense, juicy, and crisp. The flavor is usually sweet, with a slight, refreshing tartness. The aroma is strong and rich, with hints of melon and strawberry.

Yield, use and storage of apples

The first few years of cultivation see poor yields. Seven to eight years after planting, a single tree yields up to 30 kilograms of apples. By the 10th year of cultivation, the variety gains strength and produces up to 90, and sometimes up to 140 kilograms of fruit. Without pollinators, yields drop by 10%.

When stored in a cellar, apples will last 4 or 5 months, and in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for about 7 months. Preparation for storage is the same as for other varieties. Spartan apples are best suited for fresh consumption, but they also make delicious juices and preserves. This variety is also used for drying and for making alcoholic beverages.

Positive and negative qualities

The Spartan apple tree is most popular in Ukraine. In our country, this variety is mostly found only in the south, and even there, cultivation is far from trouble-free. However, despite this, courageous and hardworking gardeners from all over Russia manage not only to grow a strong and healthy tree but also to achieve maximum fruitfulness.

Advantages

• productivity;
• drought resistance;
• versatility in use;
• excellent resistance to diseases and pests;
• taste and appearance of apples;
• transportability and shelf life.

Flaws

• poor frost resistance;
• fruiting periodicity;
• tendency to crown thickening;
• Over the years or if pruned incorrectly, apples become smaller.

Another drawback is the additional effort required during the apple tree's development period, which involves regulating the yield. If some of the ovaries are not removed, the tree will be completely covered with fruit, which may become smaller and fall off. Under good growing conditions and with proper tree training, the apples will not fall off.

Features of growing the variety

When purchasing seedlings, choose two-year-old trees with well-developed roots. It's best to purchase planting material from local nurseries, as these apple trees are already acclimatized. Spartan apple trees require a sunny, warm location free from cold winds and drafts.

Care for this variety is standard; like other apple varieties, Spartan requires regular watering and timely fertilizing. During hot weather, the tree should be watered every 3-4 days, with surface irrigation being particularly effective during this period. This will ensure the tree receives moisture not only from the roots but also from the foliage, and this will also help prevent various problems.

Trimming

To ensure the Spartan apple tree produces large fruit for as long as possible, avoid allowing the crown to become too dense. Regular pruning is performed after the first flush of fruiting. During initial tree training, branch growth is directed laterally to create a wider crown. How to prune a Spartan apple tree:

• Detailed pruning involves shortening branches based on the length of their terminal growth. If the growth is longer than 40 cm, a fifth of the branch is removed, and if it is up to 40 cm, it is shortened by a third. Growth of approximately 20 cm is cut in half, and for growth of 10 cm, no more than three buds are removed.
• Sanitary pruning involves removing diseased, dead, and excess branches. Thinning will help prevent the risk of disease and ensure adequate light reaches each remaining branch.

In central Russia, a young tree won't survive the winter without good shelter. In the fall, before frost sets in, water generously. Then, the area around the trunk is covered with peat, with a layer of at least 30 cm. When snow falls, it is raked toward the tree and compacted.

The Spartan apple tree isn't widely grown in our country solely due to its frost tolerance. However, the fruit's flavor, good yield, and shelf life make it highly sought after. Many gardeners plant it despite the painstaking care required, while others enjoy the hassle.

Reviews

Evgeny. I live in Makhachkala and have been growing the Spartan apple tree for over 15 years. It's a very productive variety, and I grow it without pollinators; I harvest at least 80 kilograms of apples a year. It requires serious pruning, not only to shorten the branches but also to ensure they don't grow inward or rub against each other. Overall, the tree is very easy to care for; the variety has never had any problems.

Kristina. In the Moscow region, Spartan requires careful maintenance; without extra attention, it won't do any good. For the first five years, I covered the tree for the winter, but the weakest branches would still freeze. Now my Spartan is over 20 years old and I haven't had any problems. It's very disease-resistant, but in years when scab is rampant, I treat the variety along with my other trees just in case. The apples are very tasty and beautiful, and they store well until mid-spring.