Apple 'Renet Simirenko'

Synonyms: Simirenko, Zelenka Vuda, Renet P.F. Simirenko, Green Renet Simirenko

The Simirenko apple is a legendary cultivar of unknown origin with a late-winter ripening period. It was discovered by L.P. Simirenko in the 80s in Platonov khutor (near the town of Mliiv, Cherkasy region) and became widely distributed throughout Ukraine. Zoned (recommended) since 1928. Grows well in the western Forest-Steppe and in the steppe of Ukraine.

It is a vigorous tree of above-average size; fruits weigh 140-190 g. Crown rounded, wide, spreading, often basin-shaped, dense. Bark of branches and trunk dark gray to brownish, with an orange tint on the sunny side. Fruiting of mixed type. In southern orchards it may fruit on last year’s shoots.

Shoots straight or somewhat curved, medium thickness, heavily pubescent, greenish-brown, with small and sparse lenticels. In nurseries the shoots are zigzag and well branched. Has high shoot-forming capacity.

Leaves ovate or elongated, with a rounded, less often narrowed base and an elongated apex with a twisted and drawn-out tip, strongly curved and folded "boat-like", slightly wrinkled in the middle and with small uni- or doubly-toothed margins. The leaf blade is positioned relative to the stem at an angle of 90° or more. Pubescence light, medium in degree. Color light green with a slightly glossy surface. Petiole medium, stipules narrowly oval or lanceolate.

Flowers medium-sized, white, saucer-shaped, with a column of white glabrous pistils of medium length, whose stigmas are positioned at the level of the stamens' anthers. Blooms in mid-late period. The cultivar is self-sterile.

Begins to fruit on vigorous rootstocks from 6 years, on clonal dwarfing rootstocks in the 4-5th year after planting. Yield high, 250-400 c/ha (centners per hectare). In youth fruits annually, in more mature age – periodically.

Fruits from medium to large size, from simplified round-conic to flat-round shape, somewhat asymmetric, with a smooth and even surface. At harvest they have a light-green or bright-green color, with numerous large rounded subcutaneous dots and a whitish bloom. A distinguishing feature of the cultivar are wart-like growths up to 7 mm in diameter with a rusted surface, sometimes 2-3 on a single fruit. In southern orchards they develop a dull raspberry blush on the sunny side, especially with late picking. Fruits are harvested in late September – early October. They can remain on the branches for a long time. Stored until June, and longer in well-managed orchards. Marketability of fruits up to 90%.

Flesh tender, white, wine-sweet, very juicy, with a harmonious spicy flavor. Chemical composition of fruits: sugar 7.5-12.0%, titratable acids 0.4-0.7%, sugar-to-acid ratio 10-16, ascorbic acid 7-9 mg/100 g, sum of R-active substances – 97-110 mg/100 g. Taste evaluation of fresh fruits – 4.5-4.6 points.

Best pollinizers: Golden Delicious, Korey, Idared, Pamyat Sergeevu, Kuban Spur, Common Antonovka, Stone Antonovka, Snow Calville,

Hardiness zone: 5b. In southern Ukraine the trunk wood can be damaged, but it recovers by the 3rd year.

Location: prefers sunny sites but can grow in shade. Prefers light, fertile, moist soil. Does not like shallow groundwater. Drought-tolerant, can withstand prolonged atmospheric drought during a hot summer. Wind-resistant.

Planting and care: same as for the common apple.

Training: requires thinning of the fruit set.

Propagation: propagated by grafting. On vigorous rootstock gives stable annual yields; on dwarfing rootstock behaves like a classic intensive cultivar (produces first yields already in the nursery).

Diseases and pests: resistance to powdery mildew and scab below average. Apples in storage may be affected by browning of the flesh and skin.

Uses: High transportability. Fruits are consumed mainly fresh, and also used for making premium juices. Apples are distinguished by excellent dessert flavor and by the absence of anthocyanins.