Apples - a real treat for anyone who loves fresh and tasty fruits. One of the winter varieties that delight us with fruits in the cold season is the apple tree "Florina", which we will discuss in more detail in this article.
Breeding history
The variety was bred in France. This happened due to the crossing of some popular varieties: “Jonathan”, “Rum Beauty”, “Starking” and “Golden Delicious”. They repeatedly bore fruit until a new resistant tree appeared. It came to us already in the 70s, and after 10 years the variety began to bear fruit on an industrial scale. Usually he loves and prefers steppe and forest-steppe zones, it is in these places that he feels best and brings a lot of fruit. 
Tree description
The trees themselves are average, have a dense crown of usually round shapes. The trees look quite strong, the branches are wide and powerful, they are located at an angle of 45 to 85 degrees to the trunk, growing with different intensity. The height of an apple tree is from 2.5 to 5 meters, which makes it suitable for growing on garden and garden plots.
Important! The variety requires constant pruning of the branches, at least once a year. It has a good effect on fruiting. It is best to conduct pruning in the spring, before the period of active growth. Form either a free form of the crown, or spindle-like.
On young trees often and well formed new shoots. Usually characterized by an average excitability of the kidneys. Flowering occurs at an average time, and the flowers themselves hold for quite a long time.
Fruit Description
According to the description, the fruits of the apple-tree variety "Florin" differ in their remarkable taste characteristics, they are very sweet, but with a characteristic weak acidity. And after storage they become even better, an even richer sweet taste of the pulp appears. It is recommended to use them fresh. But you can also adapt for cooking jam, jams, drinks and other.
Learn how to make cider and apple wine at home.
The shape of the fruit may be different, but usually the apples are about the same size with smooth ribs. They also differ in the specific color of the fruit: a pale yellow, covered with a thick and dark striped blush. Waxy patches are often found on apples, so they may appear red or purple.
The flesh is dense, firm, crunchy and very juicy, has a pleasant, tasty flavor.
Did you know? Apples are a natural sugar substitute. They contain a lot of fructose, which is not so harmful and fully satisfies the body's need for sweets. Therefore, it is a great product for those who suffer from diabetes.
Lighting Requirements
Apple is considered not very picky in care, but for maximum fructification, it is necessary to ensure a few points.
- The variety needs sufficient time in the temperature regime over +10 degrees.
- Enough lighting is also required, especially in the summer. The temperature at this time should not fall below 15 degrees. The total number of such days ranges from 70 to 85, as this is a winter view of the trees.
It is imperative that care is taken to ensure that the soil does not dry out with high solar activity. The view does not have special requirements for placement on the site, it is desirable only that 75% of the branches are lit.
The late-ripening apple varieties include “Antey”, “Bogatyr”, “Northern Synaph”, “Winter Lungwort”, “Currency”, “Lobo”, “Orlik”.
Soil requirements
This variety feels good in black soil and loam. When planting it is better to add a little lime, it will only contribute to better rooting and help settle in a new place. It should be remembered that in spring the trees must be fertilized, in the summer active loosening is shown, and during the harvest period both loosening and harvesting of fallen leaves. This allows the soil to get enough nutrients and oxygen.
Important! The variety does not tolerate acidic soils! Landing in such land is contraindicated. Therefore, either change the place of rooting, or create the necessary conditions for the tree.
Pollination
Gardeners are rightly wondering which trees are best planted with Florin apple trees as pollinators. The best are Golden Delicious, Idared, Liberty and Gloucester. At the same time, the Priscilla variety is completely inappropriate. Therefore, be guided by those varieties that will produce the maximum quantity and quality of fruits, which directly affect the yield.
If you leave the tree without pollinators to the will of nature, then with it you can get only 25% of the fruit.
Fruiting
Fruiting occurs in the autumn period and falls around the middle or end of October. Apples can be obtained from a tree that is 4 years old, and the indicators will be minimal - 10 kg. For 7-8th year the grade enters an active phase of growth and gives up to 70 kg of apples. 
Gestation period
It falls on the middle of September, while the apples begin to grow and acquire color. By mid-October, they almost reach the full stage of maturity, which is determined by color and taste.
Yield
The species is used on an industrial scale, as the fruits are very tasty, and one tree is capable of producing a lot of fruits per season. The best option would be a 10-year-old tree, which has enough sun and watering. At the same time it will give from 50 to 70 kg of apples.
Transportability and storage
Thanks to its excellent consumer qualities, Florin apples remain fresh for a very long time. If you collect them in October, then until March it will be quite possible to enjoy these goodies, while they only improve their taste. It is recommended to store them in basements or cool places, so they will stay fresh longer.
Important! And if you store apples in the fridge, they will be fresh until June!
Disease and pest resistance
When breeding this tree, scientists have devoted special attention to the resistance to pathogens of the most common diseases, especially scab. So the variety "Florin" can be considered very resistant both to scab of any type, and to powdery mildew, moniliosis, and bacterial burns. The trees are so resistant that even aphid does not take them. But still there is no resistance to European cancer.
Winter hardiness
Winter hardiness is average, since the removal took place for conditions of an average climate, like in France. Drought tolerance is also average.
We advise you to read about the winter shelter of the apple from frost and rodents (in particular, hares).
Fruit use
It is best to eat apples fresh, so they reveal more of their taste. Fruits are best added to salads, appetizers and desserts. For preservation and processing, this type is not very suitable, because if you want to cook jam, it is better to choose other varieties. Also from the pulp it is possible to prepare juices.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like all varieties, "Florina" has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages include:
- Greater resistance to diseases and pests. The biggest advantage of the variety is complete scab resistance.
- Long storage of apples without loss of taste.
- The fruits have a pleasant taste and are great for fresh use.
- High yields.
The disadvantages include:
- The period of fruiting.
- Average resistance to frost and drought.
- The need for pollinators nearby.
Did you know? Apples purify the blood. They do an excellent job with eliminating cholesterol and any harmful substances. In addition, the vitamins contained in them, strengthen blood vessels.
Trees can be counted among the golden middle, as they have good resistance to pests and diseases, differ in tasty fruits, but they can be obtained quite late. "Florina" is a wonderful delicacy that will satisfy even the most demanding taste, and the tree will be a worthy decoration of any suburban area.
