Katerina

The Katerina apple variety is a winter cultivar developed by Ukrainian breeders. It is characterized by early fruiting, high yield, and good winter hardiness, allowing successful cultivation in various regions. The trees have a pyramidal shape and reach a height of up to 3.5 meters. Seedlings quickly establish themselves on the 54-118 apple rootstock and begin bearing fruit as early as the 2nd-3rd year after planting, making this variety attractive to gardeners.

The fruits of the Katerina variety are large, weighing from 160 to 190 grams, with a truncated-conical or slightly flattened shape and a ribbed surface. The apple skin is yellow-green with a red-orange striped blush on the sun-exposed side. The flesh is intensely creamy, dense, juicy, and crisp, with a delicate sweet taste with a slight acidity and mild spice, rated 4.5–4.9 points for flavor quality. Harvesting occurs at the beginning of October, and the fruits retain their qualities when stored from December to June, tolerating transportation well.

The variety is highly resistant to scab and powdery mildew, reducing the need for frequent treatments and simplifying care. To achieve good yields, it is recommended to prepare planting holes with a diameter of about 0.6 meters and a depth of 0.5–0.6 meters, regular pruning, organic fertilization, and thinning of fruit clusters. Apples store well at temperatures from 0°C to +5°C, allowing them to be enjoyed fresh for an extended period.