Apple-tree varieties Melba
Fruit trees are an indispensable attribute of any garden. The Melba apple tree is considered an excellent fruit crop, the study of which will allow you to plant it correctly, grow it and get a rich harvest.
Apple-tree varieties Melba
Characteristics of the variety
The variety is grown in almost all regions. Red Melba is considered a more resistant species to frost.
Full ripening occurs in August-September. The first apple harvest is harvested in 3-4 years.
Description of the tree
The height of the Melba apple tree on a semi-dwarf rootstock and in its usual form reaches 3-4 m, it is of medium height.
Bonsai - 2 m, but may be even lower.
- Up to 3 years, a crown is formed - at first it is columnar, over time it becomes medium spreading, creeping, stretches in height, its diameter is up to 7 m;
- In a semi-dwarf stock it lives up to 20 years, a dwarf tree - 11-16 years, on a seed stock - up to 54 years;
Description of fruits
According to the description, the fruits are yellow-green with red stripes. The pulp is pinkish white. The taste is sweet and sour.
They are convenient to transport, they do not deteriorate and must be stored for a long period without processing.
Weight reaches 115-155 g. Caloric content - 52 kcal per 100 g.
Pollinators
According to its characteristics, the Melba apple tree needs additional pollinators.
Suitable for this:
- Antonovka;
- Suislepskoe;
- Borovinka;
- Stark Erlist;
- Bellefleur-Chinese.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety has a high yield.
Melba has several advantages:
- early fruiting;
- rapid growth of the seedling;
- high productivity;
- beautiful flowering, pleasant aroma;
- strong fruits, high transportability, long-term storage;
- variety of applications, home processing of apples for jam, jam, etc is especially successful;
- useful composition of trace elements.
Among the disadvantages are:
- frost resistance is average;
- susceptibility to scab;
- low self-fertility.
Landing
Timing
It is recommended to plant from the end of September to October 10 - this is the optimal period for the tree to adapt more easily and take root faster. It is important to choose a warm day to avoid hypothermia of the seedling.
Site and seedling preparation
Best planted in loamy soil.
In order for the plant to receive additional nutrition during the adaptation period, it is important to properly prepare the soil mixture:
- mix sand, peat, compost (3 kg each);
- the resulting mixture will need to cover the roots of the seedling when planting.
The day before planting, a hole is dug - 1 m in diameter, 70-80 cm deep (but they are also guided by the size of the roots). It is poured abundantly with water (5-7 liters). And they leave it for a day.
The seedling itself is also kept in water for a couple of days.
Technology
- The tips of the roots of the tree are cut by 0.5-1 cm so that the seedling absorbs moisture and nutrients faster.
- The prepared hole is poured abundantly with water.
- A seedling is inserted vertically into the pit, the roots are sprinkled with a prepared soil mixture (if it is not enough, you can add soil from the same pit).
The root collar is left above the ground, more precisely at its level, the soil around the trunk is crushed. So that the seedling does not suffer from the wind, it is fixed - a wooden peg is inserted into the ground, near the trunk, and the trunk is tied to it.
Care
The tree needs good care
It is necessary to prune (remove dried and damaged branches) - it is better to do this in the spring, before the start of sap flow. This helps to rejuvenate the tree.
It is recommended to shorten the trunk, its height will decrease by a third of the length, so growth increases, branches are formed.
Top dressing
Melba is fed:
- in the fall, after the harvested crop - potassium chloride, compost;
- in spring, before flowering - superphosphate, ash, humus, potassium chloride are added to the soil around the trunk;
- in summer - manure, urea, chicken droppings.
Watering
Waterlogging is contraindicated in apple trees. If there is a danger of approaching groundwater, drainage is used.
Watering is carried out carefully: one tree needs a bucket of water per week (in summer).
Features of ripening and fruiting
The first year the apple tree does not bear fruit. But even if flowers appear, it is better to remove them immediately. Full fruiting occurs in 4-5 years.
In the first decade of June, the formation of flowers begins - during this period the tree needs to be fed:
- mix chicken droppings and ash - 3 kg each, add 10 liters. water and leave for 24 hours;
- the settled mixture must be thoroughly stirred and then used.
Fruit formation begins in 7-10 days. For the first 3 weeks, you can water the apple tree with a mixture of droppings and wood ash.
The biological ripeness of fruits occurs, on average, on September 10-15, but full-fledged - not earlier than the last decade of September.
The optimal time for harvesting is from September 20 to September 30, and in the northern regions, the dates are postponed by 10-12 days.
Harvesting and storage
When collecting fruits, it is not recommended to shake them off, because this variety is distinguished by its tender pulp. Damaged apples will have a minimum shelf life and look unattractive.
If unripe fruits are picked, they will last longer. It is best to store the crop in a basement or cellar, the main thing is that the place is dry and cool.
Pests and diseases
The apple tree needs to be periodically treated against pests.
Melbe is harmed by various insects:
- ticks, scale insects, bark beetles spoil the bark;
- aphids (feeds on juice);
- beetles, caterpillars eat leaves;
- moths destroy fruits.
Before flowering, preventive pest control measures are taken. Apple trees are treated with insect repellent, the trunks are whitened.
In winter, special materials with insulating properties are used to protect against rodents.
Among the preventive measures with scab are: sanitary pruning, top dressing, collection of fallen leaves, chemical treatment.
Growing regions
Melba grows best in the south.
In the northern regions, flowering occurs later than the indicated dates, while the tree bears fruit not so intensively and fully lives for no more than 8 years.
Variety reviews
Gardeners appreciate this apple variety for its unpretentiousness and versatility.
Melba is supported by high yields, high-quality fruit production throughout the life of the tree, and good taste of the fruit.
The only serious disadvantage of this variety is the risk of infection with pests and diseases - but full care will avoid this problem.