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Granny Smith apples - their characteristics of benefits and harms, as well as a photo of the fruit. Hacked Granny Smith Green apples Granny Smith benefit and harm

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In the trading network, especially in large supermarkets, large, green apples are on sale all year round. These fruits are produced by the Granny Smith apple variety.

Why grow green apples? After all, their fruits against the background of green foliage do not look as impressive as yellow or red ones. Where did the Granny Smith apple variety come from in our gardens?

Let's get acquainted, what are its benefits and uniqueness. Perhaps this variety is missing in your garden.

A distinctive feature of the variety are the apples themselves - a very rich green color, recognizable at first sight. Sometimes there are subcutaneous blotches - brownish or brownish - red.

The fruits are covered with a dense, resistant to injury and damage, peel. The pulp of the fruit is also quite dense, but at the same time, juicy and tender when biting.

Being a natural semi-dwarf, apple trees of the variety are medium-sized, fast-growing in the first years and slowing down growth after fruiting.

Variety Granny Smith belongs to the winter group. The fruits ripen by the end of September and are suitable for long-term storage.

The variety is old, widespread almost all over the world and cultivated in all climatic latitudes, where it is only possible to grow an apple tree. It is moderately demanding, although the productivity and quality of the fruit, to a large extent, depends on the growing conditions and weather conditions.

Granny Smith apple tree.

additional characteristics

Granny Smith apples are difficult to confuse with other varieties, they have their own characteristics and advantages.

History of creation

The history of the creation of the variety dates back to the distant 1868. The first fruits were obtained in New South Wales. In 1935, the variety appeared in England, and in 1976 - in the USA and Canada and became known as Green Delicious.

It is believed that the parent of the variety was a resident of Australia, a folk breeder - an amateur grandmother Smith (Mary Ann Smith). She got the variety by pollinating an Australian apple tree with a wild French apple tree.

A successful experiment contributed to the wide distribution of the variety in Australia and ensured the prosperity of the fruit growing industry.

The high transportability of fruits and their long shelf life made it possible to sell apples overseas - in Europe and America, in the largest retail chains around the world. Green Apple Granny Smith is a brand of fruit companies in Australia.

Granny Smith fruits have high transportability and a long shelf life.

Advantages and disadvantages

Significant advantages:

  • excellent fruit transportability;
  • long shelf life;
  • high quality characteristics of fruits, their hypoallergenicity;
  • precociousness and regularity of fruiting.

Flaws:

  • average level of winter hardiness and drought resistance;
  • increased demands for moderate heat and light;
  • affected by rust and powdery mildew.

Mature tree size

Trees can be grown on various types of rootstocks, but mostly they are semi-dwarfs with a height of 2.5 m to 3.5 m. Plants have a wide, dense, spreading crown that requires pruning and shaping.

Granny Smith grows up to 3.5 meters.

Yield and frequency of fruiting

Under favorable conditions, the frequency of fruiting and high yields are distinguished, although it belongs to medium-productive ones. Trees on a semi-dwarf rootstock reach a peak yield in the fifth year - 15-20 kg per apple tree. Such apple trees bear fruit for eight to ten years.

Apple tree Granny Smith gives up to 20 kg of fruit from one tree.

Tasting assessment

Apples have a sour-sweet taste, the sweetness of which increases during storage. The fruit has juicy flesh, a pleasant aroma and a high taste rating. The variety is considered the best among green apples in terms of the composition of minerals, vitamins and nutrients contained in the fruit.

Granny Smith apple fruit.

Eating apples in moderation helps to strengthen the immune system, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and reduce the risk of heart disease and colds.

Watch a video of what Granny Smith apples look like:

winter hardiness

The Granny Smith apple tree does not respond well to a long period of low temperatures and has an average level of winter hardiness. Ideal for it is a temperate, mild climate, with long summers and short winters.

disease resistance

It has average resistance to scab, powdery mildew and monilliosis, is more often affected by rust and powdery mold.

The Granny Smith apple tree variety can be affected by rust.

Watch a video with rust prevention methods:

Reviews

Svetlana. “I, personally, am always on a diet. Therefore, in my garden, the variety has a separate place. There are no problems with care. The harvest is good, the apples are tasty and stored for a very long time. I recommend."

Alexander. “At first, the appearance of apples disappointed me. Since autumn they have been a dull green color. But, in the process of storage, they proved to be excellent. And the color became more cheerful, and the taste improved. And it’s no more difficult to grow than any other apple tree.”

Olga. “Granny Smith planted her first apple tree in the shade behind the bathhouse. The result was not impressive - the apples did not ripen, and the taste was not very good. Another apple tree placed in the sun. It bears excellent fruit, and the apples ripen large, juicy.

Features of planting and care

Landing

Timing

Seedlings are planted both in autumn and in spring. The most favorable time is when the plant is at rest and there is no frost.

Before the start of development, the plant must have time to adapt to the soil and fix the root system in it. For the middle band it is:

  • end of March - beginning of April;
  • end of September - beginning of October.

Watch the video on how to plant an apple tree:

Technology

Proper preparation of the planting pit is the key to successful survival and subsequent successful fruiting. Pits for planting are prepared in advance so that the fertile mixture added to them (humus, rotted manure, mineral fertilizers) is well compacted. The root system in the pit is placed freely, without bending. The root neck is left above the ground. The seedling is tied to a support and watered abundantly.

Planting an apple tree.

Cultivation and agricultural technology

Basic agricultural practices:

  • watering. It is important to keep the soil moist, especially in the first year after planting. Effective watering in dry years at any age;

Watering the apple tree.

Attention! Do not water during fruit ripening. This can lead to cracking of the skin.

  • prevention of diseases in the early spring period with honey-containing preparations. If there are signs of diseases, Fundozol, Bayleton, Bordeaux liquid and other drugs are used in accordance with the instructions;

Treatment of apple trees from diseases.

  • top dressing with organic fertilizers (compost, rotted manure) and complex mineral;

Fertilizing apple trees with humus.

  • loosening, mulching the soil and removing weeds.

Mulching the trunk circle.

Pruning and crown shaping

The tree grows intensively, especially in the first years, and constant crown formation is required to prevent its thickening.

Crown formation begins from the second year:

  • the main skeletal branches are left at a height of at least 50 cm above each other;
  • remove shoots directed inward to the crown and intersecting with other branches;
  • also remove damaged branches and those with signs of the disease.

Watch the video on how to properly prune an apple tree:

Pollinator varieties

The Verge Smith apple variety is an excellent pollinator for other late apple varieties with coinciding flowering periods, and is itself partially infertile. In this regard, the neighborhood with such varieties as:

  • Ligol;
  • Delicious;
  • Pink Lady;
  • Elise.

Trees on a low-growing rootstock and fruits appear on the 2nd - 3rd year of life, but these will be single fruits. At 4 - 5 years, full fruiting begins.

The first fruits on the apple tree appear in 2-3 years.

Timing

flowering

The variety is winter and blooms late, coinciding with the flowering of other late varieties. Flowering is friendly, plentiful, of medium duration. Large, white, saucer-shaped flowers are collected in inflorescences.

Blossoming apple tree Granny Smith.

ripening

Removable ripeness of fruits occurs at the end of September, and in some regions - at the beginning of October.

Removable fruit ripeness occurs at the end of September.

fruit storage

Apples are stored until the next harvest. To do this, it is necessary to remove them correctly, avoiding damage to the peel, wax coating and squeezing. The fruits, as it were, are unscrewed from the branch, carefully examined, the fruits are removed even with minimal signs of disease.

Granny Smith apples can be stored until the next harvest.

Important! Apples immediately after picking are laid for storage in dry rooms (cellars, basements or specialized storage facilities) at a temperature of 0 to +2 degrees. If the area allows, it is better to spread the apples in one layer.

Regionalization in Russia

The Granny Smith apple tree grows and bears fruit safely in various regions:

  • Central;
  • Central Black Earth;
  • Volga-Vyatka;
  • in the south of Russia.

Granny Smith grows well in many regions of Russia.

In unfavorable years with an insufficient number of warm days, apples hardly have time to ripen by the end of autumn, and their taste may not reach the best.

Growing in the suburbs

The average level of winter hardiness allows you to grow a variety in the Moscow region. Apples have time to ripen and accumulate a sufficient amount of minerals.

Advice! For the winter, apple trees need to be insulated:

  • mulch the soil;
  • tie the trunks of young trees.

sadseason.com

Granny Smith - history and features of the variety

RoyBee Honey Plants Apple Tree

Apple tree 5075 0

Granny Smith, a green apple variety named after "Granny Smith", has won the hearts of gardeners and gourmets around the world. This apple tree is distinguished by its durability and unpretentiousness in cultivation, and its fruits are used to make delicious desserts and pies. This article offers a description of the advantages and disadvantages of an apple tree and its photo.

Granny smith apples are widely used in cooking.

One apple a day - and the doctor is out the door.

Brief historical background

The path of this wonderful variety from all sides begins in 1868, in the land of kangaroos and dingoes. We are talking about Australia, one of the provinces located in Eastwood. Here, in the said year, a woman named Anna Maria Smith, an elderly lady keen on breeding, crossed two apple trees - an overseas French wild and an Australian. The fruits of her labors became the hero of this article, who immediately after the appearance began an inexorable march up the ladder of popularity.

This variety first began to gain a reputation in New Zealand.

The variety began to successfully gain a reputation from New Zealand, in 1930 it found new fans in the UK, and in 1976 the apple tree reached the United States and Canada. In our century, few stores do not sell granny apples, and in Australia festivals are held in honor of the creator of the variety.

Variety features

Granny Smith belongs to the group of winter varieties, since the ripening time for its fruits is in autumn - the end of September or the beginning of October. Sometimes the apple tree ripens earlier or later, it depends on the climatic features of the area in which the trees are grown. So, if warm weather is a rare guest in the region, leaving “in English” soon after its arrival, the crop will ripen only by winter, and the taste and usefulness of the fruit will significantly fall short of the bar.

Granny bears fruit regularly and quite abundantly. A fruiting tree is classified as "medium - productive". The apple tree brings the harvest within eight to ten years, and the peak of productivity falls on the fifth or eighth year of growth. In the fifth year, up to 15 kilograms of green fruits are harvested from apple trees alone.

The apple tree in the photo, which in reality looks amazing, with its lush, sprawling crown. The trees are medium-sized, grow quickly when young, and slower when they reach the fruiting period. They reach a height of 3-3.5 meters.

The variety is undemanding insofar as it allows it to be grown in gardens around the world, but it is very sensitive to environmental conditions.

Trees act up when the weather changes. The appearance of the fruit, their shape and size, and taste characteristics depend on the condition. In general, the ideal environment for apple trees is a climate with mild winters and cool but long summers.

  1. The variety is resistant to frost, but does not tolerate the hot season. On especially hot and sunny days, apples begin to dry out and shrink.
  2. On the other hand, apple trees do not like severe frosts either. Due to the cold, its fruits are deformed and lose their rich green color, turn yellow.

All about fruits

Apples, with their juicy appearance, attract the desire to immediately put teeth into them, even when they are shown in the photo.

Granny smith fruits are quite large

  1. The fruits of the Granny Smith apple tree are large in size, each grows up to 250 - 300 grams. Round or oval apples are covered with a dense, even hard peel of bright green color. Sometimes a sunny blush appears on the green surface - reddish-brown specks. Gently green, juicy flesh lurks under the skin.
  2. Unripe fruits are unpleasant to eat, their taste is faceless, like paper. Another thing is juicy, poured apples, which are distinguished by a rich sweet and sour taste.
  3. If all the recommendations for growing have been followed, the fruits will hold tightly to the branches and not fall.
  4. Fruits calmly endure transportation and do not deteriorate for a long time.
  5. One apple of this variety contains 47 kcal, thanks to which this product occupies one of the first places in the list of dietary delicacies. It is recommended to pay attention to this fruit to all women advocating a healthy lifestyle. The content of sugars and fats in the fruit is reduced, but there is a lot of water, vitamins and trace elements. These fruits help cleanse the intestines, which is why nutritionists advise taking at least one unloading apple day a week. Apples strengthen the health of the eyes and skin, have a positive effect on the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. Another indisputable advantage of apples is the ability to make charlottes out of them.
  6. When eating apples, one should be careful and avoid overeating. A large amount of fruits eaten will harm tooth enamel, cause complications for people suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcers, and the seeds consist of hydrocyanic acid, a poison that is not desirable to enter the body.

Proper planting of trees is the first step in a long stage of their cultivation and the key to a bountiful harvest. The slightest mistake at the start will inevitably lead to troubles in the future. The main thing in this process: to choose a place and time of landing.

Young seedlings should be planted in spring

  1. Two-year-old seedlings are planted in spring or autumn, two months or two before the first frost. This is the time it takes for the roots to take root.
  2. Landing pits are prepared ahead of time, at least a month before planting, so that the earth settles and does not break the young roots. Pit size: 1 meter in diameter and 60 to 80 centimeters deep.
  3. The apple tree prefers soil without excessive acidity, if it so happened that the earth turned out to be too acidic, add lime to it, but a month before mineral fertilizers. Meanwhile, the earth taken out of the pit is recommended to be mixed with organic fertilizers.
  4. Thoroughly moisten the planting site and carefully straighten the roots, lower the seedling into the pit. Dig to the place of inoculation, abundantly moisten the resulting creativity with five buckets of water. The purpose of watering is to have the roots tightly hug the earth.
  5. In order for the apple trees to bloom as in the photo, it is recommended to leave enough space between the pits - the trees need freedom in order to grow. The best neighbors for granny smith are other winter varieties. But planting trees next to berry bushes, especially with raspberries, is not the best solution.
  6. After planting, the trees will have to be tied to pegs or wire so that they do not fall from a strong wind.
  7. With the onset of cold weather, the trees will have to be insulated, especially their roots - for this, the soil around the trunk is covered with manure.

Rules for caring for apple trees

Trees growing without the care of the owners will not be able to bring a rich harvest, and their fruits will not look as appetizing as they are shown in the photo.

Proper tree care is the key to a good harvest.

  1. Pruning is an important part of fruit tree care. Pruning a dense crown from weak branches reduces the waiting time for fruiting and saves apple trees from overload and disease. They begin to carry out a pruning event on two-year-old apple trees, before the buds swell - that is, in the first weeks of spring.
  2. After planting, the tree is often watered, but do not forget about this method of care and when the apple tree takes root in a new place of residence. Especially important watering in the summer, on hot days. In the summer, you will have to water the trees regularly, once every two weeks, spending four liters of water on each apple tree. When the fruits appear and begin to ripen, the amount of water and watering will have to be reduced, otherwise the fruits will crack.
  3. After watering, it is recommended to mulch the soil. Apple trees prefer to grow on fertile land, if not on black soil, then at least on soil ennobled with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Diseases, pests and other ailments

The gardener who wants to get juicy apples and beautiful trees must learn to pay close attention to any suspicious change in the appearance of apple trees. The change may be imperceptible, not conspicuous - a scattering of yellowish spots, a dull color of the leaves: all these are harbingers of trouble.

Granny Smith has an attractive advantage - resistance to diseases characteristic of apple trees: scab and powdery mildew.

Which does not prevent this variety from getting sick with rust and powdery mold. To combat these troubles, you will have to arm yourself with fungicides, such as Fundazol or the classic Bordeaux mixture.

Carefully measure doses when using these drugs, as they will poison the fruits, making them dangerous to consume. Bordeaux liquid carry out preventive spraying of trees.

To get the same fruits as in the photo, you will have to try, but patience and work will fall on fertile ground. Apple trees of this variety are an excellent choice for growing in almost any region with a not too short growing season.

Winter hardiness and resistance to diseases - allow even novice gardeners to choose this variety for planting. Due to their outstanding appearance, these trees are often grown to decorate the garden, as a hedge.

roypchel.ru

The leader among apple crops is the Granny Smith variety


Granny Smith apples, due to their characteristics, have gained popularity among gardeners, culinary specialists and gourmets around the world.

The trees of the variety are frost-resistant, bring a good harvest and are easy to care for, their fruits are large and rich in vitamins and microelements.

  • What type does it belong to?
  • Description of the variety Granny Smith
  • Selection history
  • yield
  • Landing and care
  • Diseases and pests

Granny Smith is a winter variety. The fruits ripen by the time of the first coolness - in September or early October.

Deviation from the norm is possible in a cool climate.

If the warm weather in the growing region does not last long, the fruits may ripen by winter and lose their characteristics.

The variety is early-growing, its fruiting is regular, it is distinguished by particular stability and frost resistance.

Apple trees of this species bear fruit for eight to ten years.

The peak falls on the fifth-seventh years of plant growth.

Among the winter varieties of apple trees, Golden Delicious, Aport, Antonovka ordinary and Antonovka Dessertnaya, Idared are also famous.

Description of the variety Granny Smith

Consider separately the appearance of the apple tree and the fruit itself.

Typically, the 'Granny Smith' apple tree is medium-sized and a natural semi-dwarf. Has a spreading crown.

Apples grow large - up to 300 grams each. They have a rich green color, a dense peel, a round or slightly oval shape - this can be seen in the photo.

With proper care, the fruits hold firmly on the tree.

Sometimes the green surface of apples includes brownish-red blotches - they appear on the side turned towards the sun.

The pulp of apples is light, juicy, sour-sweet in taste.

What are the benefits and how many calories are in a green Granny Smith apple?

These apples are low in sugar and high in vitamins.

Since the calorie content of these apples is low - 47.5 calories, you can enjoy them without any fears about the harmony of the figure. They are also considered hypoallergenic.

The following varieties demonstrate excellent taste and increased fruit benefits: Orlinka, Orlovsky Pioneer, Moscow Winter, Fragrant and Young Naturalist.

Selection history

Granny Smith apples or the well-known "Granny Smith" appeared in New South Wales, Australia, in 1868.

They are a selection product of a wild French apple tree with an Australian one.

A new variety was developed by an amateur breeder, an elderly Australian Anna Maria Smith.

The result of her work quickly gained popularity around the world.

yield

Variety "Granny Smith" refers to medium productive.

The growth and full development of the fruit requires 240 days of heat.

Apple trees "Granny Smith" come into fruition in the second or third year after planting in the garden in the autumn.

In the fifth year of growth, up to 15 kilograms of crop can be harvested from one tree.

It should be noted that "Granny Smith" is an excellent pollinator for all other varieties.

To increase the yield, this variety should be planted next to only the same winter types of apple trees: Golden Delicious, Elise, Ligol, Pink Lady.

If you are looking for apple trees with high yields, pay attention to Aloe Early, Bogatyr, Veteran, Kuibyshev and Winter Beauty.

Where are these apples grown? Today "Granny Smith" is grown by gardeners of all countries.

The variety is capricious in a certain sense: the shape, size and other characteristics of the fruit and the tree itself depend on the conditions of detention.

Granny Smith can't stand the heat. Due to the increased dose of sunlight, the fruits dry out.

Also, the variety does not like strong coolness: from low temperatures, apples turn yellow and change shape.

The ideal growing climate is mild, temperate, with short winters and long growing periods.

Landing and care

When planting any fruit tree, it is necessary to take into account such factors as the right time and place.

This is a guarantee that your apple tree will bear fruit well and delight you with its fruits.

Seedlings - usually biennial - apple trees of this popular variety can be planted in spring and autumn when there are no frosts.

A month before planting, it is necessary to prepare pits for seedlings - the soil should sit down. Pits are needed with a depth of about 60 centimeters and a diameter of at least one meter.

The soil that will be taken out of the pit should be mixed with any organic fertilizers.

Before planting, the pits need to be moistened with water.

You should not plant trees next to raspberries, but with other winter varieties of apple trees, on the contrary, it is recommended.

After planting, sprinkle with a sufficient amount of earth and water well so that the earth fits snugly against the roots of young trees.

Before the onset of frost, the trunks need to be insulated, and the soil next to the tree should be covered with a layer of manure.

Watch the video on how and when to plant a tree correctly.

Apple trees need to be pruned annually.

Pruning the crown will ensure the early fruiting of the tree and its longevity.

Pruning can be carried out from the second year of the tree's life in early spring, until the buds swell.

Abundant summer watering - three to four liters per tree - should be carried out in the first years of life and plant growth.

When the fruits ripen, watering should be reduced, otherwise they will crack.

Diseases and pests

An indisputable plus of the "Granny Smith" variety is resistance to many "apple" diseases and pests. So, this variety does not suffer from scab and powdery mildew.

Cons - susceptibility to scabs and rust, powdery mold.

They can be dealt with with the help of fungicides: Benlaton, Fundazol, Bayleton, Bordeaux liquid and other broad-spectrum preparations.

Other diseases and pests affect the apple tree extremely rarely, which makes it an excellent choice for breeding in the garden. However, it does not hurt to take care of the prevention of such of them as fruit sapwood, apple codling moth, mining moth, silkworms and hawthorn.

Granny Smith apples are great for growing in regions with a long growing season.

They are full of vitamins and because of their large size are suitable for use in cooking.

Also, the fruits of "Granny Smith" are stored for a long time and from this they only get better.

Trees of this variety are often used as hedges in gardens and summer cottages.

Good yield, excellent taste of fruits and beautiful appearance of trees make this variety a leader among others.

selo.guru

Granny Smith apples, description, useful properties

Granny Smith apples are popular and recognizable all over the world. Why are they so useful, why fruits have such a fancy name and what is their peculiarity, read in this article.

Description of the variety Granny Smith

"Granny Smith" means "Granny Smith" in English. It was in honor of the elderly woman Anna Smith that juicy apples were named. Back in 1868, an amateur gardener from Australia crossed a domestic apple tree with a French wild game, and received a variety of apples "Granny Smith". Apples are quite large, weighing up to 300 grams. They are oval or round. The color of the Granny apple is a rich green with a yellowish tinge. But sometimes there are barely visible red spots on the fruits if the sun hit the apples. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, white-green in color, and the fruit tastes with sweet-sour pulp, however, the longer the apples are stored, the sweeter it becomes. The peel is quite dense, resistant to mechanical damage. The fruits have some features: they have no aroma (do not smell), do not change color when cut.

In the best harvest years, you can get a glass of freshly squeezed juice from one fruit, they are so juicy. But during the drought period, apples turn yellow, change shape, and you can not squeeze 6 liters of juice out of two bags.

Granny apple trees themselves are low, but they give a crop of 8-10 years. The variety belongs to autumn-winter. The fruits ripen in late September, October. And it is better to eat them even a month after collection. Apples are perfectly stored until spring, resistant to frost, but the summer heat is detrimental to trees. The fruits are well transported and stored for a long time. They are very popular in the world.

Outwardly, the fruits of Granny Smith are similar to the Simirenko variety. They are roughly the same color and shape, which makes them easy to confuse. But still, the difference between Simirenko and Granny Smith lies in the fact that they smell, white subcutaneous spots may appear on the surface, if you twist Simirenko in your hands, you can see a slight asymmetry of the apple, which is a feature of this variety.

Region of natural growth

The variety is quite old, apples grow in many countries. Due to its frost resistance, to the extent of exactingness, the Granny Smith variety grows in all climatic latitudes where an apple tree grows. Granny Smith apples are brought to Russia from different countries, but this variety bears fruit well in the country itself. The climate for growing should be moderate. With cool summers and short warm winters. The best regions are: Central, Central Black Earth, Volga-Vyatka and the south of Russia.

They are also grown in the Moscow region, but for the winter the tree needs to be insulated.

yield

Granny Smith apple trees have a high, sustainable yield. The rapid growth of trees is characteristic of this variety. They bear fruit for a long time, about 10 years, and the highest yield for 5-8 years, up to 20 kg of apples. The first green apples can be found already for 2-3 years, however, there will be few of them.

Landing and care

To plant an apple tree in the middle lane, choose spring or autumn. There should be no frost, the tree is at rest during this period. Until the seedling begins to develop, it needs to undergo adaptation, to fix the root system in the new soil. The most favorable months for planting are the end of March - the beginning of April, the end of September - the beginning of October. If you plant a Granny Smith apple tree with other winter apple trees, then this will benefit them, because Granny Smith can pollinate other trees if they coincide in flowering time.

Whether the apple tree will take root and how it will bear fruit depends on the technology of preparing the pit. Therefore, it must be prepared in advance. Better in a month. The fertile mixture that is laid in the pit should be well compacted. The mixture consists of humus, fertilizers, manure. The root system itself must be placed in the pit so that it is not crowded and nothing is bent. Leave the root neck above the ground. Tie the tree to a stick, pour water well.

To plant a Granny Smith apple tree:

  1. We look at the roots of the seedling. If they are a little dry, then moisten with water. We cut off long, broken roots.
  2. We dig a hole, in the center of which we set a peg, which will serve as a support for the seedling. Make a small mound in the middle of the hole.
  3. We put the seedling on a mound at a distance of 5-7 cm from the support. The graft should be 2-3 cm above the soil level. Next, we fill the hole and gently crush the soil. Top with mulch to protect and improve properties.

Granny Smith apples originated in Australia in the mid-19th century. Today, due to its excellent taste and nutritional value, this variety has become widespread among domestic gardeners. In this article, we will tell you about the features of growing Granny Smith apples.

Variety Description

This is a late autumn variety that is easy to care for and boasts excellent frost resistance. Ripe fruits are large in size, while they are rich in a variety of trace elements and vitamins.

Due to its unpretentiousness, such an apple tree grows easily in a northern climate and is able to bear fruit even in a rainy cloudy summer. Like most fall varieties, Granny Smith is harvested in September-October.

At the same time, in a cool climate, a later ripening of the crop is possible. This variety is fast-growing, while it has regular fruiting. The tree can bear fruit for 10 years, with the peak yield occurring 5-7 years after planting the tree.

Trees of the Granny Smith variety are medium-sized and are considered semi-dwarf with a spreading crown. A distinctive feature of this variety is the large size of apples, the weight of which can be about 300 grams. Ripened fruits have a rich green color with pronounced white subcutaneous dots.

When providing the tree with appropriate care, the fruits hold firmly on the stem and do not fall to the ground. Thus, harvesting is greatly simplified, the gardener is spared the danger of rotting apples that have fallen to the ground. The pulp of ripe fruits has a juicy sweet and sour taste.

This variety gained its popularity due to the minimum calorie content of apples. This allows you to include this fruit in various diets for weight loss. At the same time, apples are completely hypoallergenic and can be included in the diet of young children. They contain numerous vitamins useful for the body and allow you to solve problems with beriberi and are recommended when the body is weakened.

This variety is medium-yielding, and allows you to get the first fruits in the second year after planting. In the fifth year, the gardener will be able to collect about 15 kilograms of delicious apples from one tree. When choosing this variety, it should be remembered that Granny Smith is an excellent pollinator for various self-fertile varieties of apples.

Growing Granny Smith Apples

Gardeners recommend choosing this variety for a temperate mild climate with a long agricultural period and relatively short winters. At the same time, it must be said that this variety is excellent for central Russia. It is only necessary to ensure appropriate thermal insulation of the apple tree in the winter season and in the summer to fertilize them with mineral fertilizers.

The success of growing this variety of apple tree largely depends on the correct choice of a place for planting seedlings. It is necessary to choose places protected from the wind and well lit by the sun. Granny Smith does not like high humidity, so seedlings must be planted on hills.

And you can equip additional drainage, which will eliminate problems with an increased level of groundwater. Planting seedlings of the Granny Smith apple tree can be done in early spring or autumn. The technology of work does not differ, when planting in the fall, do not forget about the need for high-quality mulching of the near-stem circle, as well as warming young seedlings.

Preparing a hole for planting is not difficult. It is necessary to dig a hole with a diameter of about a meter and a depth of about 60 centimeters a month before planting. The raised earth is mixed with organic fertilizer and subsequently used to fall asleep the seedling.

Before planting, the pit must be abundantly moistened with water. When falling asleep a seedling, it is recommended to water the soil abundantly and gently compact it. Also, do not forget about the need for an additional peg with which the tree is tied up to protect it from the wind. In the event that planting is carried out in the fall, then the trunk must be insulated, and the ground must be mulched with manure.

This variety of apples is not demanding in care, if you want to get the maximum yield, planting will require appropriate attention from you. So, for example, a tree needs to be pruned annually, which will form the correct crown and guarantee early fruiting. It is recommended to start such pruning from the second year after planting the tree. The whole procedure is carried out in the spring before the kidneys swell.

Due attention should be paid to the quality of the planting material used. Often today it is difficult to buy seedlings of this variety, which is explained by the still not so large distribution of Granny Smith in the domestic market.

Therefore, it is best to contact specialized nurseries, purchasing seedlings in which you can be completely sure of their quality. We recommend that you choose seedlings in cassettes or with a root system in a clod of earth. Subsequently, such seedlings are distinguished by better survival, and their planting is not difficult.

In the first few years, it will be necessary to provide the young tree with abundant watering. In particular, such watering is necessary in the summer. The norm is 3-4 liters of water for each young tree. Do this light watering weekly and monitor soil moisture levels in the near-stem soil.

After each such watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil and mulch it with humus. The crop ripening period should be reduced in the amount of watering, as excessive moisture can adversely affect the taste of the grown crop. At the same time, it is not recommended to completely stop watering; in this case, there may be a slowdown in the growth of the tree and the ripening of the crop.

Also remember the need for regular application of organic and mineral fertilizers. As organic matter, it is better to use humus. As mineral fertilizers, we recommend using complex special formulations that are designed specifically for apple trees. Such a fertilizer will contain phosphorus, nitrogen and other trace elements necessary for tree growth.

Of the advantages of this variety, we can note its increased resistance to various diseases. So, for example, this variety of fruit crop is resistant to dew and scab. But the manifestation of diseases such as powdery mold and rust is possible.

You can fight such diseases by using Bordeaux liquid or other fungicides. One of the advantages of this variety is its excellent keeping quality. As the weeks go by, these apples get juicier and tastier.

Conclusion

The Granny Smith variety, due to its excellent taste characteristics, productivity and ease of care, has become widespread among gardeners. By providing plantings with even the simplest care, you can get a great harvest of delicious fruits. Such apples contain a minimum of calories and at the same time they are extremely useful for the body. We recommend the Granny Smith variety to experienced gardeners and novice gardeners.

Granny Smith apples are sour, green, high in vitamins and minerals. Bred in the 70s of the XIX century in Australia as a result of crossing wild and cultivated varieties. Known as the lowest calorie among fruits.

Description of the fruit, energy value

Granny Smiths have firm white flesh with a sweet and sour taste. Outwardly, the fruit is pale green, rounded, with a strong skin. The part of the apple that is turned towards the sun has a pinkish tint. The average fruit weight is 300 g.

Source: Depositphotos

Granny Smith apples - the most low-calorie and hypoallergenic

Juicy apple. From 1-2 pieces get 1 glass of juice. This is an autumn-winter variety that ripens by the end of September. Stored in a cool place until spring. The fruit has the best taste qualities a month after harvest.

Botanical description:

  • medium-sized tree;
  • conical crown;
  • flowers are white;
  • bears fruit annually for 10 years.

In Europe, the variety is grown in regions with mild winters and warm summers. The tree does not like coolness and abundance of precipitation. From this, the apples are drawn out, becoming pale yellow, sour. Fruits are especially valued in dietetics. Calorie content of 100 g of the product - 47 kcal. Often used to cleanse the digestive tract, fasting days.

Benefit and harm

Granny Smith are used in dietary and health nutrition. They raise vitality, improve the functioning of the digestive system, compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and microelements.

The composition of the fruit contains:

  • vitamins PP, K, C, B6, A and E;
  • minerals (zinc, iron, iodine, selenium);
  • pectins;
  • cellulose;
  • organic acids.

The benefits and harms of the fetus are due to the composition, easy digestibility. Apples are used to purify the blood, as they contribute to the breakdown of cholesterol, the removal of toxins. Improve bowel function, cleanse the mucosa. Fruits are useful for strengthening gums and teeth, with gout, anemia.

You can not eat fruit with gastritis, ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome. It is not recommended to eat apples in large quantities. This provokes thinning of tooth enamel, the development of digestive problems due to the intake of large amounts of fiber.

In cooking, Granny Smith is used to make salads, desserts, juices, compotes. The pulp of the fruit does not change color after cutting, therefore it is used as a filling for open or closed pies. One apple a day provides 20% of your daily fiber requirement. The fruit is hypoallergenic, it is given to young children, nursing mothers, the elderly to recuperate.

Granny Smith, a green apple variety named after "Granny Smith", has won the hearts of gardeners and gourmets around the world. This apple tree is distinguished by its durability and unpretentiousness in cultivation, and its fruits are used to make delicious desserts and pies. This article offers a description of the advantages and disadvantages of an apple tree and its photo.

Granny smith apples are widely used in cooking.

One apple a day - and the doctor is out the door.

Brief historical background

The path of this wonderful variety from all sides begins in 1868, in the land of kangaroos and dingoes. We are talking about Australia, one of the provinces located in Eastwood. Here, in the said year, a woman named Anna Maria Smith, an elderly lady keen on breeding, crossed two apple trees - an overseas French wild and an Australian. The fruits of her labors became the hero of this article, who immediately after the appearance began an inexorable march up the ladder of popularity.

This variety first began to gain a reputation in New Zealand.

The variety began to successfully gain a reputation from New Zealand, in 1930 it found new fans in the UK, and in 1976 the apple tree reached the United States and Canada. In our century, few stores do not sell granny apples, and in Australia festivals are held in honor of the creator of the variety.

Variety features

Granny Smith belongs to the group of winter varieties, since the ripening time for its fruits is in autumn - the end of September or the beginning of October. Sometimes the apple tree ripens earlier or later, it depends on the climatic features of the area in which the trees are grown. So, if warm weather is a rare guest in the region, leaving “in English” soon after its arrival, the crop will ripen only by winter, and the taste and usefulness of the fruit will significantly fall short of the bar.

Granny bears fruit regularly and quite abundantly. A fruiting tree is classified as "medium - productive". The apple tree brings the harvest within eight to ten years, and the peak of productivity falls on the fifth or eighth year of growth. In the fifth year, up to 15 kilograms of green fruits are harvested from apple trees alone.

The apple tree in the photo, which in reality looks amazing, with its lush, sprawling crown. The trees are medium-sized, grow quickly when young, and slower when they reach the fruiting period. They reach a height of 3-3.5 meters.

The variety is undemanding insofar as it allows it to be grown in gardens around the world, but it is very sensitive to environmental conditions.

Trees act up when the weather changes. The appearance of the fruit, their shape and size, and taste characteristics depend on the condition. In general, the ideal environment for apple trees is a climate with mild winters and cool but long summers.

  1. The variety is resistant to frost, but does not tolerate the hot season. On especially hot and sunny days, apples begin to dry out and shrink.
  2. On the other hand, apple trees do not like severe frosts either. Due to the cold, its fruits are deformed and lose their rich green color, turn yellow.

All about fruits

Apples, with their juicy appearance, attract the desire to immediately put teeth into them, even when they are shown in the photo.

Granny smith fruits are quite large

  1. The fruits of the Granny Smith apple tree are large in size, each grows up to 250 - 300 grams. Round or oval apples are covered with a dense, even hard peel of bright green color. Sometimes a sunny blush appears on the green surface - reddish-brown specks. Gently green, juicy flesh lurks under the skin.
  2. Unripe fruits are unpleasant to eat, their taste is faceless, like paper. Another thing is juicy, poured apples, which are distinguished by a rich sweet and sour taste.
  3. If all the recommendations for growing have been followed, the fruits will hold tightly to the branches and not fall.
  4. Fruits calmly endure transportation and do not deteriorate for a long time.
  5. One apple of this variety contains 47 kcal, thanks to which this product occupies one of the first places in the list of dietary delicacies. It is recommended to pay attention to this fruit to all women advocating a healthy lifestyle. The content of sugars and fats in the fruit is reduced, but there is a lot of water, vitamins and trace elements. These fruits help cleanse the intestines, which is why nutritionists advise taking at least one unloading apple day a week. Apples strengthen the health of the eyes and skin, have a positive effect on the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. Another indisputable advantage of apples is the ability to make charlottes out of them.
  6. When eating apples, one should be careful and avoid overeating. A large amount of fruits eaten will harm tooth enamel, cause complications for people suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcers, and the seeds consist of hydrocyanic acid, a poison that is not desirable to enter the body.

Proper planting of trees is the first step in a long stage of their cultivation and the key to a bountiful harvest. The slightest mistake at the start will inevitably lead to troubles in the future. The main thing in this process: to choose a place and time of landing.

Young seedlings should be planted in spring

  1. Two-year-old seedlings are planted in spring or autumn, two months or two before the first frost. This is the time it takes for the roots to take root.
  2. Landing pits are prepared ahead of time, at least a month before planting, so that the earth settles and does not break the young roots. Pit size: 1 meter in diameter and 60 to 80 centimeters deep.
  3. The apple tree prefers soil without excessive acidity, if it so happened that the earth turned out to be too acidic, add lime to it, but a month before mineral fertilizers. Meanwhile, the earth taken out of the pit is recommended to be mixed with organic fertilizers.
  4. Thoroughly moisten the planting site and carefully straighten the roots, lower the seedling into the pit. Dig to the place of inoculation, abundantly moisten the resulting creativity with five buckets of water. The purpose of watering is to have the roots tightly hug the earth.
  5. In order for the apple trees to bloom as in the photo, it is recommended to leave enough space between the pits - the trees need freedom in order to grow. The best neighbors for granny smith are other winter varieties. But planting trees next to berry bushes, especially with raspberries, is not the best solution.
  6. After planting, the trees will have to be tied to pegs or wire so that they do not fall from a strong wind.
  7. With the onset of cold weather, the trees will have to be insulated, especially their roots - for this, the soil around the trunk is covered with manure.

Rules for caring for apple trees

Trees growing without the care of the owners will not be able to bring a rich harvest, and their fruits will not look as appetizing as they are shown in the photo.

Proper tree care is the key to a good harvest.

  1. Pruning is an important part of fruit tree care. Pruning a dense crown from weak branches reduces the waiting time for fruiting and saves apple trees from overload and disease. They begin to carry out a pruning event on two-year-old apple trees, before the buds swell - that is, in the first weeks of spring.
  2. After planting, the tree is often watered, but do not forget about this method of care and when the apple tree takes root in a new place of residence. Especially important watering in the summer, on hot days. In the summer, you will have to water the trees regularly, once every two weeks, spending four liters of water on each apple tree. When the fruits appear and begin to ripen, the amount of water and watering will have to be reduced, otherwise the fruits will crack.
  3. After watering, it is recommended to mulch the soil. Apple trees prefer to grow on fertile land, if not on black soil, then at least on soil ennobled with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Diseases, pests and other ailments

The gardener who wants to get juicy apples and beautiful trees must learn to pay close attention to any suspicious change in the appearance of apple trees. The change may be imperceptible, not conspicuous - a scattering of yellowish spots, a dull color of the leaves: all these are harbingers of trouble.

Granny Smith has an attractive advantage - resistance to diseases characteristic of apple trees: scab and powdery mildew.

Which does not prevent this variety from getting sick with rust and powdery mold. To combat these troubles, you will have to arm yourself with fungicides, such as Fundazol or the classic Bordeaux mixture.

Carefully measure doses when using these drugs, as they will poison the fruits, making them dangerous to consume. Bordeaux liquid carry out preventive spraying of trees.

To get the same fruits as in the photo, you will have to try, but patience and work will fall on fertile ground. Apple trees of this variety are an excellent choice for growing in almost any region with a not too short growing season.

Winter hardiness and resistance to diseases - allow even novice gardeners to choose this variety for planting. Due to their outstanding appearance, these trees are often grown to decorate the garden, as a hedge.

Apples Granny Smith, which means "Grandma Smith", appeared in Australia. The name is associated with the legend of the breeding of this variety. The selection was carried out by an old woman, Anna Smith, who combined the French wild and Australian apples. Today this variety is popular all over the world.

Sufficiently large fruits sometimes reach a weight of up to 300 g. There are round, truncated-conical and oval fruits. The fruits are green with a yellowish tint, and a red blurred blush may also occur on the sunny side. Inside there is a dense, but at the same time quite juicy flesh of a greenish color (see photo). Granny Smith apples have a sweet taste with a distinctly perceptible sourness. By the way, a feature of this variety is the complete absence of aroma.

Storage and transportation

Granny Smith apples are enough well tolerate transportation over long distances and keep their freshness for a long time.

Beneficial features

The benefits of Granny Smith apples are due to the composition of the fruit. So this variety is 87% water and contains virtually no fat. In addition, this fruit contains a large amount of fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the activity of the intestines and helps to improve the functioning of the digestive tract. Regular consumption of Granny Smith apples can help prevent constipation. Given the large amount of iron, the fruits will be useful for people with anemia.

This fruit has a low calorie content and a low level of nutritional value, which allows you to use them without fear for your figure. Contains ascorbic acid, which increases the protective function of the body. There are folic acid and vitamin A in Granny Smith apples. It is also worth mentioning that the fruit contains a large amount of potassium, which has a beneficial effect on the activity of the cardiovascular system.

Included in the fruit pectin, which has the ability to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. Given this, Granny Smith apples can be used during fasting days, which are aimed at cleansing the intestines. With regular consumption, the condition of hair, vision, nails and skin improves. In addition, this fruit helps to improve the psychological state and purify the blood.

Including Granny Smith apples in your diet is worth it for people who suffer from chronic eczema and other skin problems. This variety of apples is also useful for rheumatism, gout and atherosclerosis.

Use in cooking

Despite the low appeal due to their characteristics, Granny Smith apples are quite popular in cooking. For example, the fruits are used to make pies and other pastries. Fresh fruit is put in salads and snacks. Here we can recall another feature of the fruit - Granny Smith apples do not darken for quite a long time when cut.

Harm of Granny Smith apples and contraindications

Granny Smith apples can harm people with individual intolerance to the product. With caution, you should use fruits for colitis, ulcers and gastritis. It is also worth controlling the amount of fruit eaten, since overeating can provoke problems with tooth enamel. In addition, you need to remember that the bones are poisonous and should not be eaten.