Columnar apple tree President: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care

Thanks to the numerous advantages of the columnar apple tree, the President variety easily became one of the most popular even among beginner gardeners. A preliminary study of the basic rules of agricultural technology will allow you to simply cope with growing, get a good harvest. The compactness of the plant plays an important role - a very small piece of land is needed to grow a crop.

Description of the columnar apple tree President

The plant is classified as a semi-dwarf tree. The height rarely exceeds 2 m. The fruits begin to develop near the very surface of the soil, at a height of about 30 cm.The trunk is densely covered with reproductive short shoots. Thanks to its durable wood, the plant can withstand even a bountiful harvest of fruits. Life expectancy - up to 13-15 years. The root system is powerful, survival rate is high.

Characteristics of the variety

Before you start growing a crop, it is recommended to understand the main characteristics. This will allow you to determine the requirements of the tree, the basic rules of care, and avoid mistakes that can destroy the plant.

Mature tree size

Green dense column grows up to only 2 m, but with proper care. Lateral shoots, emanating at a slight angle from the main trunk, form a compact crown with a diameter of up to 20 cm.

Annual growth

The variety does not differ in growth rate. Annual growth depends on strict adherence to the rules of care. During the year, the tree stretches to a height of only 7 cm. Lack of watering, nutrients will affect the growth of the crop.

Frequency of fruiting

The peculiarity of the variety is regular fruiting, although adverse conditions often cause breaks. Productivity - up to 10 kg from one adult plant. With regular fertilization, proper watering, you can achieve 14-16 kg per tree.

Winter hardiness

The President is distinguished by endurance to adverse conditions, withstands severe frosts. It is recommended to wrap young trees with straw, spruce branches.

The trunk to protect against rodents, mice, hares is attracted by soft bark.

Disease resistance

To diseases, pests, the President is quite resistant, belongs to the best varieties. Despite resistance to powdery mildew, rot, it is not recommended to refuse preventive treatments.

Tasting evaluation

President fruits are large (up to 200 g). They have a light shade, a bright blush. The skin is dense, shiny. Taste - dessert, sweet, slightly sour. The aroma is rich, apple.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

President variety has many positive qualities. The advantages include:

frost resistance;
survivability;
fruiting;
ease of care;
unattractive to pests;
rare disease lesions.

There are also many disadvantages, among them - the high cost of seedlings, poor keeping quality of fruits. Another significant disadvantage is the short life span of the culture.

Features of variety reproduction

It is difficult to propagate columnar apple trees. Often cuttings are used or grafting is carried out. It is rare to get a varietal tree from seeds, about half of young plants will not match the variety.

Fruiting from seed-grown trees will begin in the seventh year of life. Grafted plants bear fruit earlier - in the 3-4th year.

Planting a plant

Before planting, it is recommended to take into account the basic requirements of the variety, to choose the most comfortable place in the garden. Lighting, lack of groundwater, wind, drafts - only part of the conditions that will have to be observed.

What soil to plant in

The President feels the variety of the columnar apple tree is excellent on black soil. If you have to plant a plant on loam, sandstone, you will have to prepare a special mixture - mix compost, sand, clay, peat in equal parts, add mineral compounds.

Planting Pit

The root system of the apple tree is quite compact, the dimensions of the pit for planting are up to 60 cm in diameter. In depth - about half a meter. In sandy soils, deepen the hole to a meter, put a layer of clay that accumulates moisture.

Seedling planting scheme

Plant young trees at a distance of about half a meter, increase the gap between rows to a meter. If only a few plants will be grown, the distance does not play a special role.

Basic care rules

Caring for a columnar crop will not cause much trouble, since it is no different from growing other fruit plants. The main thing is to follow the rules of watering, fertilizing, monitor pests and diseases.

Soil moisture and watering apple trees

Watering in the hot season to produce every three days. The amount of liquid per adult plant is up to 10 liters. If possible, it is better to arrange drip irrigation.

Feeding Features

For top dressing, use rotted organic matter, mineral compounds, urea. For one adult tree - a bucket of compost, up to 5 g of mineral compounds, 10 g of carbamide. It is better to apply the composition in the fall, after top dressing, carry out loosening.

How to prune a columnar apple tree

Frequent pruning for the variety will not be needed. Lateral shoots in the first year after planting shorten to 2 buds. If one of the main shoots is frozen, two branches will go from the growth point next spring. It is recommended to remove one of them immediately.

Protection of the president's apple tree from the cold

A warm shelter will protect the variety from the cold. First, wrap the trunk with a net to prevent pest infestation. Next - a layer of straw, burlap, spruce branches. In a snowy winter, carry out hilling with snow.

Prevention and control of diseases and pests

Diseases are rare for the columnar apple tree. Despite the resistance, it is better to know in advance how to deal with the eternal enemies of the gardener - insects and diseases. Preventive spraying will help prevent damage.

Scab

Fungal disease affects the leaves, spreads to the ovary, fruits. Cracks, dry spots appear on apples. Processing is carried out with the drug "Topaz". After fruiting, use a solution of colloidal sulfur.

Black Cancer

The disease affects the bark, spreads to leaves, fruits. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, there is a risk of losing a tree. Remove the affected areas of the bark, irrigate the entire plant with Bordeaux liquid. Processing should be carried out after harvesting the fruits.

Powdery mildew

Affects buds, leaves, young shoots, bark. The mushroom picker is not afraid of frost, spores hibernate and continue to develop. It is recommended to carry out several treatments with Topaz during the season.

Bacterial burn

Only young plants are affected. Young shoots, leaves, fruits quickly lose their presentation, begin to deteriorate. The only treatment option is to remove all affected parts, disinfect them.

Apple sucker

Small green insects infect the kidneys, cause the absence of the ovary. It is recommended to fight pests with tobacco smoke. Of the preparations, use the Karbofos solution.

Rodents

Against rodents, it is recommended to build a dense fence that will protect against hares. Poison bait should be used against mice, but only in winter - in the summer there is a risk of killing pets.

Maturation and fruiting

Columnar apple trees are considered the most fruitful in the 5th year after planting. After the eighth year after planting, the yield begins to decline. The age of 15 is a reason to update the garden.

What year does it bear fruit?

Already in the first year after planting, the seedling is able to bloom, but it is recommended to remove the buds. In the second year, the apple tree will please with fruits, but some of them should also be removed.

When do the leaves bloom and flowering time?

The appearance of leaves and flowers depends on climatic conditions. Usually the leaves appear in the last days of March. Flowering appears in April-May (depending on the weather). Duration of flowering - up to 10 days.

Terms of fruit ripening

Apples begin to ripen at the end of summer. In cool regions, fruits will have to be picked in early September.

Shelf life

The fruits of the apple tree will not please the President with the duration of storage - they usually lie up to a month. If you provide the fruits with the correct mode (within 0 degrees), then it will be possible to extend the shelf life until the New Year holidays.

To which regions is the variety more adapted

Crop is often grown in Moscow, Moscow region. Cool winters, rather hot summers are excellent conditions for active development and fruiting of the President apple tree. You can meet a variety even in the Saratov region.

Urals, Siberia - unfavorable regions for growing apple trees. Frosty winters, cool summers are only part of the factors that can kill a plant. Usually the roots freeze, then the tree itself suffers. Even a warm cover is not able to protect the culture. The only way to save a tree is to grow the plant in a tub. With the onset of winter, send for wintering in a cool room. Put back outside in the spring.

The introduction of nutrients and moisture is not recommended - the plant is able to start growing early. It is allowed to moisten only the surface of the soil mixture.

Columnar apple tree - decoration of any site. Compact dimensions allow you to grow a chic garden even on a small piece of land, which will delight you with an abundance of fruits. The main thing is to make a little effort, provide the plant with everything necessary, protect it from insects, diseases.