Features of the columnar apple President
Apple-tree columnar President is an excellent solution for compact placement of trees. The variety was bred on the territory of the Soviet Union in 1976. It was obtained by crossing the Leader and the Abundant varieties. This apple tree quickly gained popularity.
Features of the columnar apple President
Description
During the selection, different types of trees were developed depending on the growth characteristics:
- superdwarfs and semi-dwarfs. The height of their trunk does not exceed 1.5 m for the former and 2 m for the latter. These include the Mazunin variety;
- medium-sized and vigorous - these varieties can reach a height of more than 4 m. These are large and strong trees that are difficult to grow on their own;
- dwarf trees are distinguished into a separate group. They are specific in that they are grafted onto large varieties for more intensive fruiting. As a result, such a symbiosis can grow into a beautiful tree, 2 or 3 m in height.
Variety President refers to semi-dwarf trees. The average height they can reach is 2.5 m. The trunk and small side branches are densely leafy. The tree has a very compact appearance in adulthood - its crown has a diameter of no more than 30 cm.
The growth of a tree at the peak of its development, at 5 years, is 10 cm. At the beginning of life, a tree can add 5-7 cm in growth annually. After 5 years, the tree grows about 8 cm annually.
A characteristic feature of such an apple tree is the presence of growths. They are called ringlet and spear. They provide the tree with stability, because the trunk does not differ in particular thickness, therefore, during the selection, the tree acquired special supporting elements.
This helps the apple trees maintain an upright position during fruiting. These elements provide the tree with reproduction - fruits grow on them. These elements have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years, depending on care and weather conditions.
The barrel is elongated. The tree has no side branches, therefore it resembles a column in shape. The wood of the apple tree is very dense; craftsmen make small crafts from it. Its fruits are of high quality, do not rot.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits are arranged in a circle on the trunk. Their distribution is uniform. Apples begin to grow at a distance of 0.5 m from the ground. The stalks are dense. There are many leaves, the crown is dense.
Fruits are medium in size. Fruit weight reaches up to 250 g in years with good weather conditions, but even in lean periods the size of the President's apple will not be less than 100 g. The shape of the fruit is closer to round.
The color is light green or yellow, on one side the fruits have a pronounced blush of pale pink. It can sometimes have a purple tint. The skin of the fruit is firm and firm. The skin is dull, it can shimmer in the sun.
The fruit tastes sour, with a sweet note. The aroma of the fruit is pleasant, pronounced. The flesh is crispy, dense, white in color. The fruits have a lot of juice.
Annual growth and yield
One of the characteristics of the variety is the rapid onset of fruit growth. Flowering can be observed already in summer, immediately after planting it in the open ground in spring. After the tree reaches the age of 5 years, from 7 kg of fruit can be harvested from it.
If you properly care for a young apple tree, provide it with all the substances necessary for growth and reproduction, you can get 15 kg of fruits from one tree.
They bear fruit annually, even if the weather conditions are unfavorable. Pollinators are bees, but even in their absence, the fruits are able to develop. It is better to plant different trees on the site.
Fruiting begins in late summer and continues until early October. If the fruit is cared for after harvest, the apples can be stored for 2 months.
Due to the fact that the fruits are delicious, they can be consumed both fresh and processed. Apples of the President variety can be harvested in the form of jam or jam, they are great for compotes.
Winter hardiness
These apple trees have good winter hardiness, they are not afraid of snow and cold. The culture is resistant to pests and diseases. This happened as a result of long-term selection. After her, apple trees have advantages over the original varieties, which are maternal.
Advantages and disadvantages
Very unpretentious trees
Apple trees President have the following advantages:
- they take up very little space in the garden, the columnar culture looks neat, with its help you can create stunning compositions in the garden;
- apples quickly begin to appear on trees - the harvest can be obtained the next year after planting;
- tree care is simple even for beginners - they do not require pruning;
- culture is not afraid of the cold.
In addition to the advantages, the tree also has disadvantages. One of them is the small amount of apples compared to the usual varieties. Due to their small size and close proximity to the ground, columnar apple trees can lose part of the crop. This happens if you water the tree too much during the cold season.
The wood of such trees attracts rodents. They can seriously damage the apple tree, so it must be protected from their influence. This can be done by placing traps around the planting or pest nets.
Pollinating varieties
If you decide to grow columnar varieties, you need to keep in mind that they need pollinators. This process necessary for the tree will occur if representatives of other varieties of apple and pear trees are next to it. The ideal options would be Medoc, Triumph, Currency apple trees. Pears - variety Tenderness, Decor.
Without pollination, the apple tree will yield much less yield. Near this variety, you need to grow about 10 other trees.
Landing features
The main requirements to be followed when landing are:
- enough light - you need to make sure that other trees do not cast a shadow on the young seedling;
- dry soil - controlled humidity must be provided;
- calm place without wind - these trees are sensitive to drafts.
Planting, according to the description, can be done 2 times a year - in the fall, when the movement of sap stops, and in the spring, when it has not yet begun. There is no fundamental difference in planting time, but more often it is the autumn version that is used.
This is due to the fact that the seedling in this case has more time to adapt. The root system of a young tree takes time to prepare for a period of active growth.
In autumn, the soil is more moist and rich in nutrients than in spring. This helps the roots to establish themselves more quickly in the soil to withstand bad weather conditions.
To plant the President apple tree in the fall, you need to prepare in the spring. For this, a hole is dug with dimensions of 0.5 m in width and depth. This is done to circulate oxygen in the soil. Due to this, the roots will take root better in the soil.
In the fall, you should correctly guess the moment of disembarkation. This must be done no later than a month before the first frost. If you do not follow this rule, then the fragile roots of a young tree will simply freeze and the tree will die.
Those trees that were planted before winter have a higher resistance to cold weather. Such crops become stronger in the spring because snow feeds them. Trees planted in spring are more likely to die from too dry soil and air.
When planting in the fall, care should be taken to warm the tree. This is achieved by mulching with spruce branches or sawdust.
The landing technology does not differ from the standard one. When planting, do not forget that you need to maintain the distance between the trees. The distance should be about 0.5 m. This is less than for ordinary apple trees, due to their small crown.
After the pit is prepared, it is necessary to perform the following manipulations:
- fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the pit: it is better to take natural fertilizer - the trees tolerate it well;
- after that, you need to take a seedling and carefully lower it into the hole;
- cover the gaps with earth and compact the soil a little;
- if the terrain is windy, you need to provide support for the apple tree by tying it to it;
- after planting is complete, the tree needs to be well watered.
Care
Fertilizers are needed for a better harvest
The trees need feeding. They need to ensure this during a period of active growth. In the spring and summer, you need to feed them in order to get large and tasty fruits in the fall. For an apple tree of the President variety, a urea solution is suitable.
The ratio for watering - for 40 g of fertilizer, you need to take at least 10 liters of liquid. If there is only one tree, then it will need 2 liters of the finished product.
The first fertilizer should be applied when all the leaves on the tree are blooming. To make a second top dressing, you need to count 3 weeks from the first. After the same period of time, you need to apply the 3rd fertilizer.
Compared to other fruit trees, this variety needs to be watered much more frequently. Care must be taken to keep the soil constantly moist. The best way to keep the tree from needing moisture is to use drip irrigation.
If this is not possible, pour 1 bucket of water under each tree every 3 days. You don't need to water the tree if it's rainy outside. If the variety grows in the country and you can come there only once a week, take care of a thick layer of mulch - this will save the situation.
Cropping is optional in this case. At the first time of growth, it may be needed to reorganize - remove damaged branches and leaves. There is no need to trim the crown by trimming.
The tree can damage the black cancer disease. To prevent its development, it is necessary to carry out prevention - to process it with Bordeaux liquid.
The crop may not bear fruit due to rot. To prevent the development of this disease, the apple tree must be treated with Nitrafen.
Ripening and fruiting
The most fertile period in the life of a tree is after 5 years and up to 10. Fruits begin to appear already in the next season after planting, but there will be few more. In the first year, blooming flowers are removed, because a small tree cannot support fruit.
Harvested from late summer to mid-October. The fruits are stored in a cool place with a temperature not exceeding 5 ° C and not less than -2 ° C. If you adhere to this regime, the fruits can lie until winter.
Growing in different regions
The cultivation of the variety is popular in cool regions due to the fact that it is characterized by increased winter hardiness. The tree feels most comfortable in a temperate climate.
In extreme conditions, for example, in the regions of Siberia, it is difficult to get a large harvest - in summer the tree does not have enough heat to form fruits.
Testimonials
Gardeners prefer this variety to the rest, because these trees are very compact.They can be planted in large numbers in one area and have a rich harvest.
There shouldn't be any difficulties with planting and watering the President's apple tree - this tree can be unpretentious to care for, especially if it grows in a comfortable climate.