Features of the apple tree variety "Krokha", the rules of planting and care
The area of land owned by most gardeners does not always correspond to their ambitions and desires. The limited number of acres negates all their plans for numerous plantings of fruit trees and shrubs. However, breeders came to their aid. Thanks to them, dwarf and shrub varieties of trees are bred every year.
Such a miniaturization reform appealed to many gardeners. They have a chance to grow all the crops that they would like in a limited space. Having become widespread, dwarf cultures have also interested those who have large land areas. Their interest is due to the easy care of mini-cultures.
One of the positive examples in support of the above words are bush apple trees. There are many similar varieties, but let's talk about one relatively new one - the Krokha apple tree.
Description of the variety and its features
The apple tree has a bush shape. Its average height ranges from 0.6–1 m. Strong branching is noted. Branches located almost at the very ground, when in contact with the soil, often take root.
The variety is self-fertile. There is no need to plant other varieties nearby for pollination. You can get fruits already in the third year. They grow up to a weight of 100 g and are round in shape and light green in color.
The structure of the pulp is coarse-grained, its color is white, and it tastes sweet and sour.Fruit ripening occurs at the beginning of September. With proper care and favorable weather, up to 40 kg of apples are harvested from one bush. True, it is impossible to store them, since the fruits do not lie for more than three weeks. Therefore, it is better to immediately put them into processing or conservation.
As for diseases, the tree has strong immunity to them. The variety is resistant to scab. But not only this is the attractiveness of the "Krokha" variety. Most gardeners are interested in the frost resistance of the apple tree. In this regard, the variety has two contradictory points. More about them.
Winter-hardy qualities shown by the apple tree.
- The upper part of the tree is undemanding to cover. The apple tree endures harsh winters without human intervention. The aerial part of the tree is undersized. Most of the branches and crown are covered with snow. A kind of blanket does not allow frost to destroy future shoots.
- The root system is weak in relation to frost. The roots simply do not tolerate low temperatures. They are very picky about soil temperature and need a good supply of oxygen. The roots feel good and grow at a positive temperature of 5 degrees. In this regard, intervention will not be superfluous, warming the roots for the winter and the correct initial planting give a good chance for a harvest.
About the right fit
Despite the short stature of the variety, the apple tree requires a deep and wide planting hole. In order for the roots to feel protected in frost, they will have to dig a hole at least half a meter deep and about the same width.
The bottom, in order to avoid stagnant moisture, must be made with drainage. To organize it, you can take a broken brick and lay a 5-centimeter layer out of it.
The seedling is sprinkled not only with soil, but also with a mixture of seed husks with humus. The proportions are taken equal. Humus and husks provide oxygen to the roots and serve as a kind of complementary food. The upper cover of the near-trunk circle of an apple tree must be sown with bluegrass or fescue. Grass through the production of biological nitrogen improves the nutrition of the tree.
After the planting procedure, a good gardener will not stop and let everything take its course. The apple tree needs follow-up care.
Caring for dwarf varieties
Variety "Krokha" needs control over the formation of the crown. Timely and competent pruning allows you to organize any of the forms of branches: dwarf, bush or even creeping. To set the desired height, the first pruning is done immediately after planting. Each pruning to restore the strength of the apple tree after the "operation" should be accompanied by a restorative top dressing.
In general, this variety needs three feedings a year. It is made from a solution of ammonium nitrate: 40 g of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of water.
The nutrient solution is applied under the tree. With the growth and maturation of the dwarf apple tree, this dosage is increased. To the reference ratio every year add 30 g of the drug.
It goes without saying that care should be accompanied by circular hilling and protection from insects and rodents. The measures taken in this regard are common to all types of apple trees (spraying with pesticides, whitewashing the root part of the trunk).
Purchase
To buy a dwarf seedling "Krokha" today there are a lot of trading platforms. Those wishing to purchase a tree can find it in numerous online stores for gardeners. In this case, after placing the order, it will be delivered by mail or courier.Those who are used to shopping in the usual way will find the apple variety in question in garden shops, regional nurseries or at special fairs.
Despite the demand and popularity of the "Krokha" variety, it is inexpensive. On average, a seedling is in the price category from 300 to 500 rubles.
Of course, if it is ordered through an online platform, the cost of delivery will have to be added to this amount.
But still, with such a yield of a variety, all costs pay off in the first year of fruiting. Still, 3 - 4 buckets from a small bush - this is very decent. And every year the yield is growing. Not every adult apple tree of medium height can produce such a crop.
A full assessment of the apple tree "Krokha" is given by real customer reviews. Gardeners who already have such a tree at their disposal and have taken the first fruits from it will help weigh the pros and cons of this variety. Reviews allow you to decide on one banal question: to buy or not this type of apple tree. On their basis, you can highlight for yourself all the advantages and disadvantages of dwarf trees.
Positive points
- short stature turns out to be beneficial for gardeners. It is easier for them to take care of the apple tree, to harvest from it. Dwarf varieties rarely reach a height of 2 meters. They also do not tend to grow extensively. All manipulations for care (pruning, processing with chemical compounds) or picking apples can be done directly from the ground. Ladders, ladders, special devices for picking fruits, elongated loppers when growing a dwarf variety will remain out of work.
- Early fruiting period. Ordinary (high-growing) trees give a harvest for 5-7 years after planting in a permanent place. The same amount of time is required to stabilize the yield.As a result, a full harvest of apples has to wait a long time. With the variety "Krokha", and with other dwarf species, fruits begin to be harvested from the age of 3. The very same stability in fruiting occurs after another 2 years. The difference between 15 years and 5 is obvious.
- plant compactness. Where only one apple tree would fit, five dwarf trees can be planted. The main plus that gardeners highlight is the saving of land area. It is worth adding that a bonsai requires a smaller amount of fertilizer and a smaller amount of a drug for treatment against diseases and pests. It's also an obvious benefit.
- Productivity. For its size, a small tree yields no less than a large apple tree. Breeders all over the world in this regard note the superiority of dwarf varieties over ordinary species.
With the pluses of dwarf apple trees, everything is fine - there are many of them and they are all significant. However, the disadvantages cannot be ignored. Based on the reviews, we can conclude that they also exist.
Negative properties
- Need for care. This is due to non-natural origin. A dwarf variety was created by a man, and he also "lead him through life." For example, frequent and correct pruning of an apple tree is simply necessary, otherwise the qualitative composition and presentation of apples will change. Their taste will deteriorate, they will become smaller.
- The shallow root system of apple trees requires protection. It is carried out by installing supports. They save from strong winds, washing away the soil and the weight of the crop. In order to avoid exposing the roots, it is periodically necessary to sprinkle the root zone.
- Short life. All dwarf apple trees live and bear fruit for about 20–25 years. For comparison, the lifespan of a typical apple tree is about 50 years.
- Criticality to landing - it must be done correctly.If the tree is deeply buried, it may lose its dwarf properties and even change the variety. To avoid this, it is necessary to strictly observe all the rules for planting dwarf trees.
- Highly located roots in winter can freeze slightly. Without snow cover in severe frosts, the apple tree dies.
Comparing the pros and cons of the "Krokha" variety, we see that people's opinion about it is most likely ambiguous. In principle, it cannot be otherwise. Everywhere and in everything has its positive and negative points, and you have to make a choice, which is more important at the moment.
But often gardeners themselves are to blame for getting a bad harvest. The lack of proper care on their part returns like a boomerang in poor fruiting, tasteless fruits, or even the death of a dwarf bush apple tree. Therefore, trust only yourself and do not let the growth and health of the garden take its course.
You can learn more about this variety of apple trees in this video.