Chinese apple tree: description of varieties and varieties, cultivation and care with photos

Chinese apple tree, or plum-leaved apple tree, got its name because of the shape of the leaf plate. It is identical to the shape of Chinese plum leaves. This type of fruit trees combines a whole group of varieties that are grown in different parts of the world. The Chinese plum-leaved apple tree is valued for its productivity and unpretentiousness. The varieties winter well, endure dry summers, are good pollinators, decorate the garden with lush flowering in spring. Among amateur gardeners, plum-leaved varieties and small-fruited apple trees of other origin are called Kitayka.

History of selection

Chinese plum-leaved apple tree is a whole species of fruit trees of hybrid origin. Each variety has its own characteristics and characteristics of taste, color, size, ripening period. There are about 100 varieties and forms of Kitayka in the world.

The first forms were obtained by crossing apple trees Berry (M. baccala) and Home (M. domeslica). In Russia, Kitaek apples were selected by Michurin. Using Mentor's method, he bred two hybrids: Kandil, Bellefleur.

The purpose of the breeding work was to obtain winter-hardy fruit trees with improved fruit quality. As a material for hybridization, he took local and southern varieties. Michurin did a great job of cultivating hybrids, the result is long-lasting Kitayki varieties.

Modern selection is aimed at obtaining medium-sized, winter-hardy, drought-resistant Chinese hybrids (height from 5 to 6 meters), with annual fruiting. Saplings of modern Kitayek take root well in the middle zone.

General characteristics of the variety

Chinese has the qualities of a good pollinator, it blooms profusely. A gardener who has a fruit tree of this variety does not experience problems with yield. Apple trees growing next to Kitayka always bring joy.

Tree height and crown width

Trees in most varieties are vigorous - from 9 to 10 m tall, but there are also undersized varieties of Kitayki - 2-3 meters high. The crown is formed by powerful branches extending upward from the trunk at an acute angle. Shaping pruning is required for most Chinese varieties.

In adult trees, the crown is conical or rounded, dense. Leaves with fine serrations, glossy, with a sharp tip. Flowering is profuse and showy. The color of the flowers depends on the variety: white, pink, reddish.The bark on the trunk is thick, brown, with a gray tint. The roots are highly branched, shallow.

Crop quantity

Different varieties begin to bear fruit at different times. Before purchasing a seedling, you need to familiarize yourself with its varietal characteristics. Abundant harvests in some forms are annual, in others - periodic. Some Chinese hybrids (cultivars) are more productive at a young age, in others the volume of fruits increases as the tree matures.

Fruit palatability

The fruits are not striking in size, they are small. The average size of apples of any variety Kitayki is 40 g. The color of the skin is yellow or red, the color may be uneven (darkening). The skin is rough. Description of fruit characteristics:

• shape round or ovoid;
• diameter about 2cm;
• weight 25-40 g;
• creamy pulp;
• taste sweet and sour;
• flavor is strong.

The main direction in the use of the fruits of Kitaika is the manufacture of jams and compotes. The Belfleur variety is suitable for drying. Mousses, liqueurs, cider, jelly made from apples differ in good taste. They add a special piquancy to meat. A goose stuffed with apples acquires an exquisite taste and aroma during baking.

Frost resistance

Even Michurin singled out the most winter-hardy among all forms of Kitaek - Anise. It is stored at 50 ° C frost. Plum-leaved apple trees are used by amateur and professional gardeners alike to develop new frost-resistant, drought-resistant forms.

Apricot Kitayka is popular in the Trans-Urals for its productivity and resistance to frost. Up to 10 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree per season. Average fruit weight around 60 g.

Immunity to diseases

Almost all varieties of Kitaika have weak or medium immunity to scab (leaves and fruits). Prevention of fungal diseases and protective measures against insect larvae and pests can improve the commercial quality of fruits, reduce crop losses. Subtleties of cultivation in different regions

On the vast territory of Russia, the Chinese can be found in various climatic zones. Each region has its own characteristics of planting, caring for apple trees of this species. Trees of this species are undemanding to the composition of the soil, but when they create the best conditions, they bear fruit longer, more abundantly.

In Siberia

For better survival, seedlings after planting are treated with stimulants "Buton", "Energen". 3-year-old plants are taken as planting material. For the winter, the trunk of young trees is insulated with covering material, the soil is mulched.Before the onset of frost, protective irrigation is carried out, fed with 2-component mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus.

In the suburbs

Seedlings are planted in early April. Pits are dug to a depth of 70 cm. For filling, drainage is used - a 20 cm layer of crushed stone or gravel with sand. Crown pruning is carried out immediately after planting. The central conductor is shortened at a height of 0.8 m, competitors are cut out, the remaining shoots are shortened by ⅔ of the length.

In the Leningrad Region

The first of October is the best time to plant. The soil for filling the planting pit is prepared from the following components:

• peat;
• humus;
• leaf land;
• mineral fertilizers (superphosphate, potassium nitrate).

Care for Kitai in the Leningrad region is standard: watering, pruning, top dressing.

In the Urals

Chinese in the Urals is planted in early May. Planting pits are being prepared in autumn. A set of mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium is introduced into the backfill soil. A stake is placed in the center of the pit, it is necessary for tying the seedling. This region is characterized by strong winds. The support will prevent damage to the trunk and young shoots. For the winter, the trunk circle is covered with a 5-centimeter layer of mulch.

In the middle lane

Planting apple trees Kitaek held in April (1st-2nd decade). Compost, sand, humus and mineral fertilizers (according to the norm) are added in equal proportions to the backfill mixture. When backfilling, the level of the root collar above the soil surface is controlled. It should be from 5 to 6 cm. Chinese apple tree care in the Middle lane:

• watering;
• monitoring soil cleanliness;
• disease prevention and treatment activities;
• shaping and sanitary pruning;
• feeding.

In northern regions

Planting is done in September (15-20). Carefully prepare the soil so that the seedling quickly and well takes root. Signs of good soil:

• loose;
• permeable to water and moisture.

In the northern regions, the soil is heavy, so they dig a hole deeper - 90 cm and wider - 100 cm. It is recommended to put sod and manure mixed with sifted ash at the bottom. For the winter, apple trees are covered with spruce branches (covering material), in spring, summer, and autumn they do not forget about watering and top dressing.

Technology for planting and caring for an apple tree

Only young seedlings are transplanted, grown trees in a new place take root with difficulty. All Chinese forms require the same care. They need watering, feeding, pruning. To prevent diseases, the trunk circle is kept clean and loosened.

Planting and growing

The soil should not be swampy, the required depth of groundwater is at least 2.5 m. Pits for planting are prepared in advance. Parameters: diameter up to 100 cm, depth 80 cm, distance to the nearest tree at least 6 meters, the crown of an adult Chinese woman is wide.

Backfill mix:

• humus;
• sand;
• leaf land;
• peat.

In the composition before backfilling, you need to add superphosphate at the rate specified in the instructions for the product. The time for planting is spring, until the buds have blossomed, or autumn - no later than mid-October. Saplings for planting take 2- or 3-year-olds.

Agrotechnology

For the first 2 years, the Chinese woman is not fed, the seedling has enough fertilizer applied during planting. This rule does not apply to depleted (not fertile) soils.After 2 years, top dressing should be carried out annually. In the first half of summer, nitrogen dominates in the composition of the fertilizer mixture, in the second - phosphorus, potassium.

The last time phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is applied after barrage irrigation (before the first frosts). With proper fertilization, apple trees winter better, bear abundant fruit every year, and do not get sick.

Young trees are preparing for wintering. Old newspapers and spruce branches are used to protect the bole. The roots are protected from freezing with a layer of mulch (peat, humus, rotted sawdust), which is removed with the advent of spring.

To control diseases and pests, preventive treatments with fungicides are carried out.

PeriodDiseasesCopper sulfate 1%Before swelling kidneysFrom rot, fungi, mechanical damage on the bark"Nitrofen" Urea Before buds swellScab, powdery mildew, aphids, weevilCopper sulfate Before flowering (buds open)For bark regeneration, pest controlBordeaux liquid 3% Before flowering (buds open)From pests and diseases Before flowering (buds open) 20 days after flowering

Drug
Before bud swelling	Powdery mildew, pest larvae
		Colloidal sulfur
From fungal infection and mites		"Karbofos"
From aphids, weevils, codling moths, leafworms

Pruning and shaping the crown of a tree

Shoots of selected Chinese varieties form sharp forks that break under the weight of the crop or a layer of snow. The crowns of such trees must be formed, shoots:

• bend;
• cut.

The crown is started when the seedling reaches 2 years of age:

• choose center conductor, cut out competitors;
• cut long branches.

The conductor is shortened to 80 cm. Two types of trimming are practiced. On the outer kidney - to expand the crown. On the inner kidney - to strengthen the center and raise the shoot. Throughout the life of an apple tree, crown density is monitored, excess shoots are cut out, and sanitary pruning is the removal of frost-beaten, dry and weather-broken branches.

Reproduction

Chinese apple trees are propagated in two ways. The first option is seeds, the second is grafting. For spring sowing, seeds are stratified from December to spring. In early autumn, freshly harvested planting material is sown. For planting in late autumn, seeds are stratified from 1 to 2 months.

Features of ripening and fruiting

Chinese apples of different varieties ripen from mid-summer to mid-September. When choosing a seedling for your garden, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarity of this type of apple trees.
Fruiting period

Some varieties start fruiting early, from the year of planting to the appearance of the first fruits, it takes from 5 to 6 years. The harvest of other forms has to wait a long time. Many plum-leaved varieties bear their first fruits at the age of 8-9 years.

Terms of fruit ripening

Mass collection of apples goes from August to the end of September. Few paddles. The keeping quality of Chinese apple trees is different. Belfleur retains the commercial and consumer properties the longest. After picking, the fruits lie for 4 months, the transportation is well tolerated.

Keep crops in boxes made of plastic, wood or in baskets. Optimum storage temperature +2… +4 °C. In the absence of a cellar, the fruits are kept in the refrigerator, undamaged are selected, if there is damage on the skin, they are allowed for processing.

Benefits and qualities of the fruit

Fruits are rich in vitamins. They serve as an excellent prevention of hypertension: they strengthen the walls of blood vessels, stimulate blood circulation. The most delicious apples grow on the dessert Kitaika. The variety is also very productive. Up to 70 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree.

Good wine-sweet taste in apple varieties Dolgo. They are fragrant, stored very little, the jam made from them has a unique taste. Apples of the following varieties are suitable for long-term storage:

• Kerr;
• Long sweet;
• Pepin saffron;
• Kandil.

Summer varieties of apples are not stored for a long time, but their advantage is early fruiting. Eating fresh fruits from your garden helps your body replenish the missing nutrients. Lovers of homemade wine, jams, summer varieties of Chinese do not get bored, they provide a lot of raw materials for preparations.

Varieties and descriptions of Chinese varieties

There are many forms of Chinese. Almost all of them are small-fruited. From a wide variety of unpretentious varieties for each climatic zone, you can choose summer, early ripening, little storage, or late (autumn) with a long shelf life.

Kerr

Parents - Kitayka Long plus Haralson. The selection was done in Canada. Kerr according to its characteristics (frost resistance, drought resistance) is suitable for growing in a temperate climate of mid-latitudes.

The height of the tree is small, the crown is round, moderately dense, does not require formation. The leaf is elliptical, light green with notches, smooth. The size of the flowers is large, the color is pink.

The first harvest is taken after 3-4 years, the harvest time is September. Yields vary over the years. Mature trees have abundant fruiting one year, the next - average. The yield of young apple trees is consistently high. Apples are stored until January, honey notes appear in the taste over time.

Dignity and characteristics of the Kerr variety:

• weight 45 g;
• elongated shape;
• dark red skin;
• taste a bit tart, sweet and sour;
• winter hardiness;
• good immunity.

Kerr apple tree landscape designers include in their garden compositions.

Red

The author of the variety is V. V. Kichina. Chinese Red gives abundant harvests, about 160 kg of fruits are removed from the tree. Apples ripen in the first days of September, they sit firmly on the branches, do not crumble. The first fruiting occurs in the 4th year after planting. Fruit characteristics:

• weight 25g;
• peel (color) - scarlet;
• stalks are long;
• Storage duration no more than 2 months.

In the brush Kitaika Red ripens 4 apples. The variety is successfully grown in the Central region of the Russian Federation. The use of Chinese Red is varied, it is prepared from:

• wine;
• juices;
• jam;
• compotes.

The variety is prone to scab, ripens late, the fruits do not crumble. Caring for the apple tree facilitates the short stature of the variety.

Long

Autumn variety, originally from the USA. Long has been grown in Russia since the middle of the last century. Fruiting early - the first harvests at 4 years of age. Regions where Chinese Long is successfully grown:

• Western and Eastern Siberia;
• Northwest;
• North;
• Central.

The plant is undersized, its height does not exceed 4 meters. The shape of the crown is wide, conical or rounded. There are many branches, leaves with a glossy surface, strongly elongated. The flowers are white, large - up to 4 cm in diameter.

Shape (fetus)OblongMass (fetus)15 to 20gMain skin colorYellowBlushBright RedDeadline storage2 to 3 weeksPulp (flavor) SweetPulp (color)Cream

Parameter	Description

From the fruits, preparations of excellent taste are obtained: juice, jam, compote. They sing at the end of August, mass harvesting of fruits is carried out in September. Abundant harvests are not regular. Advantages of the apple tree Long: frost resistance, weak susceptibility to scab.

Yellow

Authors - L. E. Zakubanets, M. V. Kachalkin. The fruits are bright yellow. The tree is columnar, medium-sized. The yield of the variety is high. Chinese Yellow ripens by mid-August. The fruits are small, the size of a large cherry. Weight no more than 20 g. The variety is resistant to scab.

Bellefleur

More than 100 years ago, as a result of selection, Michurin received the late-ripening Bifler variety, which is still grown in the gardens of the North Caucasus region and the Volga region, varietal characteristics are shown in the table.

ParameterValueFruitingLate, occurs after 8 yearsYieldHigh, slightly periodic Ripening term Winter Hardiness Diseases Tree Crown (shape) Fruit (shape) Round oval with ribbingWeight 200g Light yellow, blush rose red, striped Pulp (color)White Pulp (structure)

Late-ripening (September, end of the month)
Medium
Susceptibility to scab
Very tall
Round
	Fruit (skin color)
	Fine-grained, tender
Taste	Sweet and sour

Productivity (average) - 150 q/ha, annual fruiting. Apples are stored from 2 to 4 months. The variety is autumn, so apples gain flavor in 1-2 weeks after picking. Grade Value:

• good taste;
• transportability;
• presentation;
• fruits do not crumble.

When purchasing the Bellefleur variety, you need to know that a 20-year-old tree gives a full-fledged harvest, before that the volume of harvested apples is medium and low. Pollinating varieties: Kitayka Shafran, Antonovka, Autumn striped.

Pink

Columnar, small-fruited apple tree Pink fairy tale. Striking beautiful blooms. The color of the buds is red. The height of the tree is from 1.4 to 2 meters. Fruit Feature:

• weight - 50 g;
• color - red crimson;
• plaque - waxy.

Fruiting annual.

Gold

For the Volga-Vyatka and North-Western regions of the Russian Federation, according to its characteristics, Kitayka Zolotaya is suitable. I. V. Michurin was engaged in its selection, parent material:

• Chinese apple tree;
• White pouring.

The form is early, the fruits of Kitaika Zolotoy ripen by mid-July. It enters fruiting in the 4th year. The tree is tall, around 8 meters. In an adult plant, the crown is pyramidal, sprawling, in a young plant it looks more like a broom. The branches are dense, the angle of discharge is acute. The flowers are white, the leaves are long with slight pubescence, the edge is serrated.

The bulk of the fruit grows at the end of the branches, their characteristics:

• stored little - from 7 to 10 days;
• appearance is unattractive;
• peel (color) - yellow;
• weight from 40 to 60 g;
• diameter 5 to 7cm;
• pulp (structure) granular, soft;
• tastes sweet;
• flavor is strong.

Frost resistance and tree productivity is high, resistance to diseases is low. The fruits are stored little and quickly crumble, their hostesses use them for various preparations. The pulp of apples becomes cottony on the 4th day after picking.

Saninskaya

Late variety, autumn, large-fruited. N. I. Kichunov found the Saninskaya Kitayka in the city of Samara (1899). The Saninskaya apple tree is grown in the gardens of the Volga region. Harvest takes place between the end of August and the beginning of November. For the onset of consumer ripeness, it should take about a week after removal.

Fruits are small with a solid integumentary color, taste a little tart, sweet and sour. Apples from Saninskaya Kitaika are used for harvesting: wine, jam, juice. The fruits are stored for a short time, from 2 to 3 weeks.

The plant is powerful, tall. A 40-year-old specimen of Kitaika Saninskaya found in Penza had dimensions: height - 9 m, crown width - 8 m. The crown shape is sprawling, the shoots are slightly pubescent, densely leafy, the color of the bark is olive. The leaf plate is elongated-elliptical, the edge is serrate.

About fruits:

• weight 25g;
• different shape: oval-conical, oval;
• surface not smooth, bumps or ribbing may be present;
• peel (color) - yellow;
• blush solid red;
• wax coating;
• pulp (color) - yellow;
• pulp (structure) - granular;
• taste rating - 4 points.

Valuable qualities of Kitaika Saninskaya: durability, winter hardiness. Among the shortcomings, experts point out the mediocre taste of the fruit.

Cream

Author - P. A. Zhavoronkov. In the work I used seedlings of the variety Kitayka Apricot. The plant is vigorous, frost-resistant, according to its characteristics, suitable for growing in the gardens of the Urals and Siberia. Crown Options:

• rare;
• wide-pyramidal;
• stem and branches (bark) gray;
• shoots (thickness) medium;
• leaf shape is elliptical, curved down, the surface is shiny, wrinkled, pubescence is weak.

Cream Chinese comes into fruiting in the 5-6th year. A tree at the age of 10-12 years gives 25-40 kg.Fruiting is annual. Ripening terms are average.

Weight Flesh (color ) Shape Skin Blush Taste Juicy

60g
Cream
Round
Not shiny, patina, yellow-green
Pale, red
Spicy
High

Scabby fruits are slightly or moderately affected.

Honey

The fruits of Honey apple trees have a dessert taste. Most varieties of this species are summer. In breeding, the emphasis was on frost resistance. The goal of the breeders was to obtain a variety that would bear fruit in any climatic conditions. Among autumn varieties, Honey Runet is popular. Its fruits ripen in September-October.

Plum Leaf

Dwarf (plum-leaved) apple tree is popular in the Moscow region. Small shiny fruits fell in love with gardeners. They have a universal purpose, they can serve as raw materials for blanks of any kind.

Kuibyshevsky

Selection by S. P. Kedrin (Samara Experimental Station). Parental forms: Pepin of London, Antonovka saffron. The variety is common in the Middle Volga region. Tree characteristics (crown):

• very tall;
• crown (shape) - wide-conical;
• krone (thickness) - medium;
• the branches are thick, the angle of contact is obtuse;
• fruits on kolchatka;
• leaf size is average, edge is crenate, shape is narrowed, pubescence is average.

ColoringYellowBlushBrown-redSubcutaneous pointsYes, white Pulp Taste

Fruits (feature)	Description
Mass	150g
Surface	Ribbed
Skin	Smooth with a sheen, medium thickness
Cream color, fine texture
Sweet and sour

Fruits ripen after September 10, retain consumer properties until February. They come into fruition at the 5th year of life, yields are annual - young apple trees, periodic - mature trees. Winter hardiness is good, scab resists medium.

Columnar

Chinese Columnar tolerates frosty winters well. The height of the trees is medium, the crown (shape) is columnar. The branches are covered with yellow-orange bark, thin, long. Harvest ripens by the end of July. High fruit shedding is a lack of columnar Chinese.

Fruit Description:

• size small (20g);
• color amber yellow;
• stalk short;
• taste harmonious, sweet and sour.

Apples are stored for a short time (7 days after picking), they are used as raw materials for making desserts, preparations for the winter.

For each region of the Russian Federation, you can choose a good variety of Chinese. Small-fruited apple trees bear fruit steadily and for a long time. Their care is minimal.

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