Apple Red Cluster

Late-season variety obtained by pollination of early-ripening 'Ustoychivaya' with a mixture of pollen from summer large-fruited varieties by staff of the Novosibirsk Regional Fruit and Berry Experimental Station named after I. V. Michurin. Authors: A. A. Khristo, R. A. Bykova, N. E. Yurieva. Widely grown in fruit and vegetable farms and amateur gardeners.

Young tree has a narrow-pyramidal crown, which later becomes broad-pyramidal, formed by strong, few branches, heavily leafed. Bark on trunk and main branches is greenish and smooth.

Shoots are straight, medium length, thick, greenish, slightly hairy, with small convex stipules. Leaves are large, leathery, slightly wrinkled, oval-rounded, dark green with long tips, margins doubly serrated and curled upward.

Flowers are large, white, fragrant. Stigmas are at the same level as the anthers.

Fruits (see illustration) are very small, average weight 20 g, maximum 38 g, flattened-round. Surface is smooth. Main color is yellow, covering color is dark red, occupying more than half of the fruit surface.

Flesh is creamy, slightly acidic-sweet, juicy. Ripens late-season, keeps for 1.5–2 months. Chemical composition of fruits: total sugars — 11.4% (9.5–12.8), titratable acids — 0.9% (0.6–1.0), ascorbic acid — 12.9 mg/100g (3.2–16.9), catechins — 338 mg/100g (314–523).

Fruits are consumed fresh, but especially suitable for making juices and compotes.

Fruit-bearing begins at 3–4 years. Yields are moderate — 70 centners/ha, with weak periodicity.

Winter hardiness of trees is high, comparable to 'Fonarik'. Variety is highly self-fertile, susceptible to scab.

Advantages of the variety: winter-hardy, compact crown, excellent processing qualities. Possesses high self-fertility.

Disadvantages of the variety: susceptible to scab, short storage period, small fruit size.