Christmas

New immune to apple scab (with Vf gene) triploid apple variety with winter-ripening fruits, obtained at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding through hybridization in 1985 (Wells x VM41497). Breeders: E. N. Sedov, Z. M. Serova, V. V. Zhdanov, E. A. Dolmatov.

The variety was submitted for State Testing in the Central and Central Chernozem regions of Russia in 1999, suitable for intensive orchards when grown on dwarfing rootstocks. It was included in the State Register in 2001.

Trees are medium-sized, fast-growing with a broad-pyramidal crown. Main branches diverge from the trunk at nearly right angles. Bark on the trunk is gray and peeling. Predominant fruiting types are simple and complex clusters.

Branches of medium thickness, slightly knobby, round in cross-section, brown, weakly hairy. Buds are pressed, conical, hairy. Leaves are egg-shaped, short-pointed, with a spirally twisted apex, green, wrinkled, matte, moderately hairy. Leaf margin is wavy, doubly toothed.

Inflorescences are umbrella-shaped with 4-6 flowers; buds are white-pink; flowers are plate-shaped of medium size; petals are pale-pink, round, moderately closed at the base; stigmas are below the anthers; pedicel is medium length; fused style of pistils without hairs.

Fruits are medium-sized (140 g), medium uniformity, flattened, with distinct large segments. Skin is glossy, greenish. Cover color on most of the fruit surface is in the form of a diffuse reddish blush and cherry-colored specks. Numerous large gray lenticels are clearly visible. Pedicel is long, thin, straight, oblique. Bask is of medium depth, blunt-conical, with grayish rust. Receptacle is closed. Calyx is of medium depth, wide, ribbed. Fruit core is bulbous. Seed chambers are closed. Sub-receptacle tube is short, bowl-shaped. Seeds are medium-sized, egg-shaped, brown.

Flesh is white, cream-colored, dense, juicy, tender, very succulent, sweet-sour dessert flavor with slight aroma. Fruit appearance is rated at 4.4 points, flavor at 4.3 points.

Harvesting maturity in the Oryol region occurs from September 12-17. Consumer period extends from October 10 to the end of January.

The variety is early-bearing and high-yielding. Grafted trees of 'Christmas' began fruiting in the 4th year, whereas control variety 'Antonovka' only in the 6th year. Young trees of 'Christmas' yielded (on average during 1996-1999) 180 centners per hectare, whereas control variety 'Antonovka' yielded 110 centners per hectare.

The variety is sufficiently winter-hardy in the Oryol region. Under artificial freezing (S. V. Rezvyakova) in climate chambers after hardening and lowering temperature to -40ºC, slight damage to buds (1.5 points) and wood (1.7 points) was noted, whereas in 'Antonovka' these damages were 1.0 and 1.5 points, and in 'Autumn Striped' — 1.6 and 2.7 points.

Fruits and leaves in the orchard are completely immune to apple scab.

Advantages of the variety: immunity (absolute resistance) to apple scab on fruits and leaves, early bearing, high yield and fruit storability, as well as attractive fruits with dessert flavor.