Paradise apple: description and characteristics of the variety, planting, cultivation and care

Now the paradise small apple is becoming popular again, which, with the advent of large-fruited varieties, turned out to be unclaimed and forgotten by gardeners. Breeders have bred many varieties of these unusual trees, which are grown not only as fruit trees, but also as ornamentals. If you do not go into history, you can take rayka for the latest development of specialists and decorate your garden with it.

History of Appearance

It so happened historically that all small-fruited varieties of this tree are called paradise apples. To date, more than a hundred of its varieties are known. Most of all, summer residents liked dwarf varieties, which are characterized by high yields.

The Low apple tree was taken as the basis for breeding these varieties, the distribution area of \u200b\u200bwhich is considered to be Central Asian and South European countries. A great contribution to the selection of this species was made by Czech scientists, who, on the basis of the wild game, Katya and Champion, received a novelty with excellent characteristics.

Pros and cons of the variety

The benefits of paradise apples are:

fruit rich in vitamin C;
universal use of the harvest;
decorative wood properties;
durability;
high frost resistance;
excellent yield.

Of the shortcomings, experienced gardeners distinguish only the small size of the fruit, which takes a very long time to remove even from dwarf trees.

External Description

Paradise apple trees are easy to recognize by their external distinctive characteristics.

Tree height and crown size

An adult tree of the same variety of rayek can vary significantly in size. It depends on the subspecies to which it belongs. Paradise apple trees are not tall. The crown of the rayek is medium or spreading. Rarely there are columnar types with a narrow and high crown.

Root system

The root system of heavenly apple trees goes deep into the ground, so that in the harsh winter the tree does not need additional shelter and easily endures even the most severe cold.

Technical parameters

Different subspecies of paradise apples differ not only in appearance, but also in technical parameters.

Resistant to freezing temperatures

Certain subspecies of raek easily tolerate frosts down to -40 ° C and blizzards, while others are sensitive to harsh climatic conditions and drafts.

Susceptibility to diseases and infections

The apple of paradise differs from other species in its increased resistance to common diseases, in particular to scab and powdery mildew.

Pollinator varieties

Most of the rayki are self-fertile, but it is better if other varieties of apple trees are planted on the site. In the process of pollination, not only the yield increases, but also the taste and commercial qualities of the harvested crop. In addition, paradise apple trees themselves act as excellent pollinators.

Maturation and fruiting

Fructification of paradise apples occurs 4 years after planting a seedling on the site. This applies to those cases when the tree was grafted onto a ready-made seed stock. If it was originally grown from seeds, then the process of giving fruits may be delayed.

Raiki are considered summer apples, because they ripen and harvest in July-August.

Yield and taste of apples

Paradise apples are distinguished by their original taste, which is in no way similar to the classic one. Light sourness and astringency distinguish them from other similar fruits. The yield of an adult paradise apple tree is about 30 kg of ripe fruit. Depending on the subspecies, this indicator may vary slightly.

Use as rootstock

Seedlings of paradise apple trees are widely used as a rootstock, on the basis of which dwarf or semi-dwarf trees are grown.

In what regions is it preferable to plant

Due to the high frost resistance, rayki is grown in absolutely all regions of our country and neighboring countries:

Ukraine;
Kazakhstan;
Belarus;
Russia.

Features of growing "paradise apples"

There are some features that are taken into account when cultivating rayok on your site.

Preparation of young seedlings

For planting a paradise apple seedling, any corner of the garden is suitable, even partial shade or shade. The roots of a young tree should be strong, well developed, branched. Mechanical damage is unacceptable on the barrel. Preference is given to seedlings with an unthickened crown. Depending on the selected subspecies, the branches are arranged vertically or bent, as if withering. Kidneys should never be dry.

To plant a heavenly apple tree, they dig a hole in proportion to the size of the root system of the seedling.He does not need to prepare the soil of a special composition. A young tree is simply placed in a hole, covered with soil, tamped down and watered well. It is advisable to hammer a wooden peg-support 60 cm high into the hole, to which the seedling is subsequently tied. As soon as moisture is absorbed, the soil around the apple tree is mulched.

Scheme and timing of disembarkation

Paradise apple trees are planted both in spring and autumn. In the spring period, work is planned for mid-April - May, and in autumn - for the month of October. The planting scheme for paradise apple trees depends on the selected subspecies. A distance of 4-5 meters is left between tall trees, and 2.5-3 meters between dwarf or columnar trees. The same gap is maintained between the raiki and neighboring fruit trees or shrubs on the site.

Care for a young and mature tree

Proper care is the key to a rich and stable harvest.

Irrigation

Paradise apple trees do not need abundant watering. In dry summer conditions, they are irrigated once a week at the rate of 2-3 buckets of water per 1 adult tree.

Fertilizer

In the spring, as soon as the snow has melted, a complex mineral fertilizer with a nitrogen content is applied to the near-stem circle. During the formation of the ovaries, the tree is fed with preparations containing magnesium and potassium. They also add organic matter, compost, humus.

Loosening the soil

Timely loosening of the soil after watering or heavy rainfall provides oxygen to the roots, and also prevents the development of fungal diseases. Do this carefully and not too deep, so as not to injure the roots that are close to the surface of the earth.

Cutting

In the first few years of life, paradise apple trees are pruned annually by 0.2-0.3 m. Also, every season, trees are sanitary pruned to remove dry, damaged, diseased or broken branches.

Seasonal prevention

Despite the increased resistance of paradise apple trees to the main types of diseases, experienced gardeners recommend seasonal processing with Bordeaux mixture. In spring and autumn, tree trunks are whitewashed with a solution of lime.

Shelter for the winter

In late autumn, when frosts begin, the trunk of the paradise apple tree is wrapped in a moisture-permeable material. They do this to protect against rodents, which in the cold season are able to gnaw the bark of a tree and destroy it. Rayka does not need additional shelter from the cold for the winter.