DELICIOUS MARIA

The Delicious Maria apple variety is a semi-dwarf, compact tree with an oval or narrow pyramidal crown, reaching about 2 meters in height. This variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness and drought tolerance, making it particularly suitable for cultivation in the North Caucasus regions. The tree quickly enters fruiting and is characterized by high productivity—up to 25 kg from one semi-dwarf tree, while the compact crown shape allows easy harvesting without the use of ladders.

Delicious Maria fruits are large, weighing about 200-250 grams, with an original elongated conical shape and clearly defined four facets. The base color of the apples is light greenish, while the skin color is rich purple or pinkish-red with stripes and streaks of more intense color, which develop under good lighting and proper nutrition with magnesium and calcium. The skin is covered with a waxy bloom (pruinum) and adorned with large white subcutaneous dots. The flesh is creamy, medium density, juicy, with a sour-sweet taste that received a high tasting score of 4.9 points. The fruits contain about 12% sugars, 15.5% acids, and 12.3 mg% of vitamin C.

The variety is distinguished by high adaptability and resistance to diseases, as well as the absence of alternate bearing. Apples store well for up to 5 months, allowing them to be used for fresh consumption over a long period. Due to its characteristics and taste qualities, Delicious Maria is a promising variety for gardeners, especially under the conditions of the North Caucasus and the Lower Volga region.