BALTICA

The Balтика apple variety is an autumn variety developed by breeders P.I. Lavrik and L.A. Zhmurko at the Leningrad Fruit and Vegetable Experimental Station. The tree is vigorous, reaching a height of 5–5.5 meters, with an inverse pyramidal crown in young trees and an oval, medium-density crown in fruit-bearing trees. Shoots are of medium thickness, straight, brownish-brown, and pubescent. Leaves are large, broadly ovate, light green, smooth and glossy with toothed-lobed edges. Blossoming occurs in the second decade of May.

The fruits of the Balтика variety are large, weighing about 140 grams, round or slightly conical in shape, light yellow with a bright red, blurred blush and striping on most of the surface. The skin is smooth and dense, the flesh is white, dense, juicy, and aromatic with a good sour-sweet taste. The chemical composition of the fruits includes 10.6% sugars, 0.5% titratable acids, and 19.3 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid. Apples ripen in the first half of September and can be stored for up to two months, allowing them to be used both fresh and for processing into juices and jams.

The variety is characterized by high winter hardiness and resistance to scab, making it reliable for cultivation in northwestern regions. The apple tree begins to bear fruit early — on the fourth or fifth year after planting. Yield is high: on average about 80 kg per tree in its twentieth year, with maximum indicators up to 150–200 kg. For pollination, the varieties Antonovka and Melba are suitable. Thanks to the combination of high productivity, disease resistance, and excellent fruit taste qualities, the Balтика variety is an attractive choice for gardeners.