Apple tree "Mundane": a description of the variety and the secrets of planting and caring for a tree
Apple variety "Mundane" refers to the line of dwarf species. With small dimensions, the tree brings abundant harvests, and also differs from other varieties in frost resistance. Such an apple tree will be a godsend for those who have small personal plots.
Characteristic
Depending on the type of rootstock, the height of the tree itself is regulated. If a tree is grown from a seed, its height reaches 2.5-3 m. On a dwarf rootstock, it will be possible to grow a tree up to one and a half meters high. In any case, the tree is small in size and has thin branches painted brown. The leaves are quite large, oval in shape and slightly drooping down. The root system is fibrous type and is located in the upper layers of the soil. This makes it possible to grow a variety in those areas where shallow groundwater occurs.
In the description of the variety, it is noted that a feature of the Earthly apple tree is resistance to low temperatures. The tree can withstand frosts up to 40 degrees. Thanks to this, fruits can be grown throughout the country. The apple tree blooms in May or early summer. It takes about 90 days for the fruit to form. As you can see, it will be possible to enjoy fresh fruits only at the beginning of autumn. This variety is self fertile. With its own forces, a tree can pollinate its own flowers.In order for the harvest to be maximum, trees of other varieties should also stand on the site where a plant of this type is planted.
Fruit characteristics:
- round shape;
- average sizes;
- smooth skin;
- light green flesh;
- color is yellow;
- the taste is sweet;
- texture is juicy.
Thanks to these features of apples, they are grown both on their own plots near the house and on large farms to obtain a product for further processing or sale. It is good to make compotes, jam or jam from apples of this variety.
yield
After planting the cuttings, the harvest can be obtained in 2-3 years. The frequency of fruiting is annual. During the season, a small tree can produce 100-130 kg of apples. Thanks to this, the variety is characterized as a plant with a stable and high yield. The downside of dwarf apple trees is that they have a short lifespan compared to regular apple varieties.
If there are favorable climatic conditions in the places of cultivation, as well as good care, the tree will bear fruit for 20 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
Key benefits and positives characteristics of the variety "Land":
- rich and regular fruiting;
- the first harvest can be obtained in the second year after planting seedlings;
- the tree has a compact and decorative appearance with a small crown;
- can grow in all regions of the country;
- the use of fruits is universal;
- apples retain their presentation and taste for a long time;
- the tree is unpretentious in care;
- disease resistant plants.
The disadvantages include the following qualities:
- short fruiting period;
- apples are quite small;
- the roots are shallow, and therefore, in severe frosts, they can freeze.
Cultivation and features
When choosing seedlings, it is recommended to pay attention to some points so as not to get a wild game.
The selection criteria are:
- fibrous roots;
- the grafting site should be visible on the trunk;
- on the seedlings there is a label indicating the rootstock on which the variety grew;
- a plant at the age of two has an average height of 50 cm.
When buying, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- branches to the trunk are located at an acute angle;
- the roots do not have outgrowths of damage;
- shoots on the roots are flexible and moist.
Gardeners recommend buying this plant only in the form of seedlings in specialized stores or from trusted nurseries. The best option would be to choose young trees that are purchased directly after digging the earth.
Such seedlings are good because they are preserved in natural conditions and are dug out of the soil immediately before being transferred to the buyer.
The soil
Planting can be done in autumn or spring. In the spring, the main task is to plant seedlings before the start of the moment when sap flow begins. Also, the soil should be well thawed. Autumn landings are recommended to be made a month and a half before the start of the first frost. Since the root system is not deep, it is not necessary to dig a deep hole when planting. It should be on average 50 cm deep and 70 wide.
It is recommended to fill such a recess with black soil or with a special composition that you can prepare yourself. To do this, you need to take ordinary soil and mix it with manure, and also add complex fertilizers there.So that the top dressing does not burn the roots, and the soil is well saturated with useful substances, it is necessary, after adding a fertile composition to the pit, to allow it to rest for 2-3 weeks. After that, you can start planting a seedling.
Transplanting an apple tree is similar to how it is done with an ordinary plant. The only thing a gardener needs to do is set up supports for a small tree, as it will be difficult for the roots to hold the seedling, especially if there are strong winds in the region. As a support, you can use a small wooden stake, which is driven in near the root. Its height should reach one and a half meters.
Where to drop off?
Gardeners recommend planting trees on the eastern slopes so that you can get a good harvest and make it easy to care for. Lowlands, as well as places where groundwater is shallow, will not work. You should also avoid areas that are not protected from the winds. This variety needs a sunny area, but it is worth choosing it so that the amount of sunlight and their contact with the plants is minimal, which will help to avoid burning the tree, especially during dry periods.
An ideal site for planting seedlings is considered to be protected from the east side and illuminated area. Since the variety is undersized, and the crown is small, it can be planted close to other, taller trees. Seedlings should be planted at a distance of one and a half meters from each other, so that later they do not interfere with nearby trees. It is also important to produce in order to provide enough space for the development of the root system. It usually penetrates shallowly into the ground, but diverges quite widely over the surface.
By following these rules, you can avoid some problems in the future.
How to care?
It is easier to take care of the “Mundane” apple tree than an ordinary plant, but even here there are some subtleties that must be observed. If there is little moisture in the soil, then the tree will develop poorly, and will also bear little fruit. This will negatively affect its resistance to frost. Also, a fairly large amount of moisture is harmful to the tree, which will disrupt the oxygen exchange in the soil, and this will adversely affect the condition of the roots.
Therefore, after planting, experts recommend observing the following irrigation rules:
- it should be produced 4 times per season;
- procedures are carried out in the evening or in the morning;
- water must penetrate the soil to a depth of 50 cm;
- watering is carried out throughout the area around the tree trunk;
- so that during the day after watering the soil does not dry out from excess sun, it is recommended to mulch the soil after watering.
top dressing
When breeding this variety, it was genetically incorporated the ability to bring large yields. But since the root system is not very developed, the tree will need periodic top dressing for this. In the spring, it is recommended to apply fertilizers based on nitrogen components - this is urea or manure. At the beginning of summer, you can add a complete set of all macronutrients, and therefore it is recommended to apply complex fertilizers. After that, after 15-20 days, it is necessary to fertilize the soil well with a solution of fermented nettle and dandelion.
In autumn, fertilizers are recommended to use formulations in which there is a large amount of potassium and phosphorus. When carrying out top dressing, it must be remembered that the amount of nutrients introduced for small varieties of trees is much less than expected for ordinary varieties of apple trees.
You can get acquainted with these points in more detail in the agrotechnical reference book.
pruning
Regardless of the fact that the tree is dwarf and has a fairly small size, it is recommended to periodically prune to form the correct crown. It is necessary to form a crown already in the second year of planting, when the seedling is strong enough and the main trunk is formed in it. The procedure is performed in late autumn or early spring, the main thing is that the movement of juice in the tree stops. If there are many shoots on a young tree, then they are removed or shortened. This enables the tree to direct all its energy towards fruit.
If the weather is hot outside, you can pinch the shoots. This will allow the kidneys to develop better. Planned pruning will help rejuvenate mature trees, along with their abundant watering and soil mulching. The most positive results will be obtained by using nitrogen products with copper for irrigation.
Wintering
As mentioned, this variety of apple trees tolerates frost well. If there is enough snow and no winds, the plant can withstand frosts up to 40 degrees. But at the same time, since the roots are not deep, in regions where there is little snow and severe frosts, it is recommended to warm the ground around the trunk. For this, humus is used, which is laid out around the trunk in a rather thick layer. On top you can put spruce branches.
Also, experts recommend removing all leaves that have fallen from the tree in autumn, as harmful microorganisms can remain there that can penetrate the root in winter and damage it.
Harvesting
Since the apple tree is small, even from the top you can get the fruit with your own hands. A similar and dry day is chosen for harvesting.Fruits can be eaten immediately or processed, as well as stored for storage. They should be stored in wooden boxes at a temperature of 0 degrees. In this case, the fruits retain their qualities for two or more months. Then the pulp gradually begins to darken and the taste of the apple worsens.
As you can see, the "Mundane" variety is a good apple tree option for all regions of the country. Experienced gardeners, as well as reviews from those who grow such varieties on their plots, are by and large positive. There are many positive characteristics and the absence of disadvantages, which allows this variety to be suitable even for an inexperienced gardener. The main thing is to get acquainted with the features before acquiring and planting such a crop, as well as learn the intricacies of care in order to get abundant harvests every year.
You will learn more about growing apple trees in the following video.