Jonagold apple, apple tree – planting, care and harvest

The Jonagold apple tree loves a sunny, warm location so that its fruits develop splendidly. Since it preferably lets its roots grow deep into the earth, the soil quality at the chosen location should be correspondingly humus, loose and permeable. The new fruit tree is ideally planted in autumn. Experience has shown that the trees grow particularly well at this time of the year and have well rooted their location by next spring. The majority of tree nurseries offer the apple tree as a container or bale product, which makes planting particularly easy:

• The planting hole is twice as large as the root ball.
• The sole is loosened up well with the aid of the digging fork.
• In particularly moist soil, create a 5 cm thick drainage made of gravel.
• 30% of the excavated material is mixed with well-rotted compost.
• Remove the pot from the root ball.
• The ball of cloth is also removed, even if it is declared to be rotting material.
• Container goods grow better if they are lightly cut with a cutter knife.
• For this purpose, a small cross is carved in three or four places.
• Soak the root ball in a bucket of water.
• Place the apple tree in the middle of the planting hole.
• The finishing point is at least 10 cm above the surface.
• Fill in the soil-compost mixture while shaking it several times.
• Drive in a support post next to the tree.
• Sludge everything well with water and step on it.
• Create a pouring edge with a slope towards the center.
• Connect the support post and the Jonagold with bast or coconut tape.
• The binding material must never cut into the trunk.

If strong winds are to be feared at the chosen location, experts advise supporting the apple tree according to the three-pole system. The Jonagold is surrounded by three wooden posts and connected to them. It is important to note that it should not stand completely motionless, but merely prevent it from swaying too much. Incidentally, planting the apple tree as a bare-root product hardly differs from container or bale goods. Only the possibly damaged root parts, such as kinks or breaks, are cut off before planting and the root area is shortened to a total of 20 cm to 30 cm in length. Since the wood in this case usually does not stay in the middle of the planting hole by itself, a helping hand is required in this case, which holds the Jonagold and shakes it briefly again and again. so that the soil is well distributed around the roots. It should not be neglected to leave the finishing point above the soil surface. Incidentally, the Jonagold apple tree is not a self-fertilizer. This means that at least two suitable pollinator varieties must be planted in the immediate vicinity so that it delivers the desired fruit harvest. These include:

• Cox Orange
• Jonathan
• James Grieve
• Elstar
• Gloster
• Discovery

Although Jonagold is derived from Golden Delicious, this variety is not recommended as a pollinator. Jonagold itself is one of the tripolar varieties that are out of the question as a pollinator.

Plant Jonagold apples on a trellis

If gardening enthusiasts only have little space available, they don’t have to do without the fruity enjoyment of home-grown Jonagold apples. In this case he cultivates the apple tree as an espalier wood. Basically every tree is suitable for the space-saving mini tree on the trellis. With a little skill, the round apple tree can be turned into a flat fruit tree and is ideal for keeping in a tub or flower box on the balcony or terrace. Suitable espalier trees can be purchased in specialist shops for little money. Of course, nothing speaks against demonstrating your craftsmanship and constructing the trellis yourself. Bamboo in the shape of a stick, which is tied together with the help of sturdy binding wire, is ideal. Ideally, the shoots of the Jonagold apple tree are still young, when they are attached to the trellis. For this, the experienced hobby gardener uses rubber bands, because thanks to their elasticity, they do not restrict the growing apple tree. The more horizontal the attachment of the branches, the more decorative the appearance. Overhanging branches are simply cut off. The fast-growing Jonagold adorns every sunny, warm location with its beautiful flowers, forms a nice privacy screen with its dense foliage and provides many delicious apples in autumn.

maintenance

The wisely chosen location is a decisive factor in the successful care of the Jonagold apple tree. In addition, the following care instructions should be heeded:

• Water evenly in the garden for the first two years.
• Bark or leaf mulch protects the soil from drying out.
• Work well-rotted compost into the soil in spring.
• Protect young trees from blazing midday sun.
• Wrap jute ribbons or fleece around the trunk.
• Check the binding material on the posts regularly.
• Annual and biennial apple trees require light winter protection.
• Adult Jonagold apple trees are largely frost-resistant.
• Paint the tree trunk white to protect it from the intense winter sun.

The dreaded late frosts are absolutely deadly for a rich harvest. If the temperature falls below -2 ° Celsius during flowering, the hope for crispy, sweet apple enjoyment is gone this year. Therefore, the weather report should be followed closely in order to protect the flowering fruit trees with a cover made of foil, fleece or jute if there is a risk of frost.

To cut

Since the Jonagold apple tree grows quickly and forms long shoots, regular pruning is necessary from the 2nd year of standing so that the tree can produce a rich harvest for many years. The best time to do this is on a frost-free day towards the end of winter. First of all, all branches that grow criss-cross through the crown are removed with a sharp knife or pruning shears. In doing so, shoots that hinder each other’s growth are not spared. If the hobby gardener decides to shorten some branches, this can be done without any problems, as long as the cut is made just above an outward-facing bud. The younger shoots should, however, remain in favor of older specimens. An old farmer’s rule says that the pruning of an apple tree was done correctly, if a cap,

harvest

Although the apples already have the appearance of a ripe fruit from the end of September, the wonderful aroma does not develop until the end of October. However, the experienced gardener does not wait for the natural fruit fall, because the deep fall causes unsightly dents on the beautiful apples. It is better to carefully bend and twist the apple stalk so as not to damage the existing bud for the next harvest. If the Jonagold apple does not come off by then, the fruit lover will wait a few more days until it works. The easier it is to harvest the apples, the more ripe and consequently tastier they are. As soon as the Jonagold apple has been taken from the tree, the aging process begins. This initially leads to that the seductive aroma is further intensified and the conversion of the remaining starch into glucose makes the pulp even sweeter. Almost parallel to this, the vitamin content decreases and the Jonagold becomes wrinkled. The previously crunchy pulp is becoming more and more floury. If you take the right measures for adequate storage, you will nibble on delicious vitamins throughout the winter:

• Store at 4 ° Celsius and high humidity.
• At the same time, the room must be well ventilated.
• The Jonagold lying next to each other must not touch.
• Suitable substrates are wooden panels or cardboard.
• Alternatively, keep Jonagold in foil bags made of polyethylene.
• The carbon dioxide given off by the apples creates a favorable microclimate.
• Pierce small holes in the bag for easy air exchange.

Under no circumstances should Jonagold apples be stored next to vegetables, because they release the ripening gas ethylene, which causes cucumbers, cabbage vegetables and leeks to spoil more quickly.

What to do if you have a particularly rich apple harvest?

If you follow the instructions on planting, caring for and harvesting the Jonagold apples, you may be faced with an unexpectedly extensive harvest, provided the weather cooperates. If the appetite for fresh fruit straight from the tree is satisfied, it is advisable to boil the apples, process them into jam or dry them to enjoy them as fruity dried fruit. And that’s how it works:

Dried fruit
The apples are peeled and pitted. Then they are cut into slices, which speeds up the drying process considerably. So that the light pulp does not turn dark, it is briefly dipped in diluted lemon juice. Simply thread the apple slices on a string and let them dry in an airy place where the sun’s rays cannot reach them. If you are not afraid of power consumption, you can dry the apple slices for four to five hours at approx. 60 °, with the door slightly open.

Jam
Wash, peel and core the apples and cut into pieces. Bring a saucepan with water, lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon to a boil and simmer the apple pieces in it for about 10 minutes. After cooling down, taste it – a delicious Jonagold apple compote is ready and no fruit has been wasted.
Garden enthusiasts, for whom all this is too cumbersome, inquire whether one of the mobile cider shops stops nearby. There they have the harvested Jonagold apples processed into delicious juice in no time at all, which can be kept for up to 1 year unopened.

Diseases and pests

Like most fruit trees, the Jonagold apple tree is also susceptible to diseases and pests of all kinds. The powdery mildew, which is omnipresent in the garden, can strike just as much as the no less rare aphids and rust mites. Since the apples are intended for consumption, it is advisable to resort to biological control agents, such as canola oil-based insecticides. Above all, however, the garden should be designed to be inviting for the natural enemies of the pests, such as birds or ground beetles. In addition, glue rings have proven to be very effective against what is probably the most dangerous pest, the codling moth. These prevent the larvae of the fruit maggots from crawling up the tree trunk in the first place. Since they are made exclusively from natural materials, They neither harm the fruit tree nor the fruits and can even be safely disposed of on the compost after the work is done. Good success has been reported through the use of attractant traps, biological sprays such as wormwood, as well as predatory mites and nematodes. The troubled hobby gardener has a whole arsenal of pesticides available to effectively protect his lovingly cared for Jonagold apple trees.

Conclusion Growing
the popular Jonagold apples in your own garden is not difficult. If the location meets the needs of the apple tree, it receives a dose of good compost every now and then and always enough water, and the bright red fruits invite healthy snacking. The Jonagold apple is also ideally suited as an espalier fruit, so that no one has to forego the sweet treat even when space is limited. Those who pay attention to some important information on storage can enjoy the aromatic Jonagold all winter long after the harvest, whether as a whole fruit, delicious compote or refreshing juice.