Columnar apple tree: growing, planting and care, at what distance to plant

Apple trees are traditionally very popular in our country as a garden crop. But these plants grow quite large, and in a limited area it is rarely possible to plant more than two or three. Despite the periodically appearing criticism of the columnar varieties, the columnar apple tree is increasingly appearing on the plots, the variety has carved its own niche. However, not everyone knows exactly how to care for such trees. The article will cover the main aspects.

Description and features of the columnar apple tree

Many summer residents have fallen in love with columnar varieties, which allow, with small tree sizes, to get good yields.Subject to the rules of care and pruning and feeding technologies, you can get tasty and beautiful fruits in large quantities, which are suitable both for direct consumption and for canning for the winter.

The special structure of the trunk of representatives of columnar varieties is associated with a genetic mutation. In this regard, the side branches grow in a certain way, and the central trunk becomes much thicker. The average height of such trees is three meters. Although different varieties of different sizes are cultivated.

The stems of the columnar apple tree are thicker than other varieties, while the distance between the buds is less. Branching depends on height - the higher the tree, the more it branches. In this case, the difference between the smallest representatives and large plants can be up to three to four times.

After reaching the age of four, the side shoots stop growing. It can only be activated by injuring the growing point at the top.

The first full-fledged harvest can be harvested two years after planting. Trees reach their peak yield within five years, then the level remains consistently high, subject to the required agricultural technologies. The type of root system of columnar plants is fibrous. Its development also affects fruiting.

The active life span of a columnar apple tree, when it bears fruit well, is fifteen to twenty years. After that, the number of fruitful buds is sharply reduced. The only exceptions are tall varieties. Moreover, in each individual case, the life of the tree may vary. This is due to the fact that to increase the duration of the fruiting period, top dressing can be applied, as well as pruning, for rejuvenation.

The described columnar varieties are well placed in small garden plots. There are two types of columnar apple trees:

• containing a mutation in the genotype;
• apple trees grafted with varieties of columnar-type dwarf apple trees.

Pre-landing activities

Due to the characteristics of the rhizome, columnar tree varieties require nutrient-rich soil, well ventilated and moist. If there is a high content of clay in the soil, then additional drainage work will be required. Groundwater should lie as deep as possible. Also, the area should be well lit, drafts should be excluded. Only compliance with all growing conditions will allow you to get maximum yields and ensure active growth.

Conditions

When purchasing columnar seedlings, it is necessary to consider the conditions under which they will grow. Therefore, when buying, you need to consult with sellers in order to select the most suitable varieties for the existing conditions.

To grow he althy, fruitful columnar trees, you need a well-lit, draft-free area with well-drained soil. Do not forget that columnar varieties are available for growing in greenhouse conditions.

Date of planting

For planting, you need to choose the right season so that the seedlings start better and hurt less. In the suburbs, this is the middle of spring and autumn.

Experienced gardeners advise planting in early spring weather:

• before active sap flow begins;
• when the ground is warm enough.

In the autumn, planting should be done:

• after the leaves have fallen;
• in the period before the first frost, so that the plant has time to get comfortable.

Planting apple trees in summer is not recommended.

Storage of seedlings

The root system should not dry out. Before planting, it is better to temporarily dig the tree into loose soil and water it. If the rhizome is closed, then moderate watering every two days will be required. Moistened wood shavings are also suitable for storage.

Plant Landing

Before planting, you need to read the advice of professionals. If planting involves a large number of trees, then it is better to draw up a diagram that takes into account the necessary distances between individual seedlings. They depend on the specific variety and further growth.

Plant columnar plants in such a way that in adulthood they do not interfere with each other's growth.

Choosing a landing site

Experts recommend securing the area for planting columnar apple trees in advance from gusts of wind. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure sufficient illumination and the absence of shadow zones. Fences and fences are suitable as shelter from the wind. You also need to consider that although the plants are small, they will still need more space as they grow.

Preparing the pit

Seats are prepared as follows:

1. Grooves for group plantings can be up to half a meter deep.
2. For spot planting, dig holes of the same depth.
3. It is recommended to dig in advance so that they stand for at least two to three weeks.
4. Sizes are determined based on the rhizome. The greatest depth can be up to ninety centimeters, the radius - up to half a meter.

Planting seedlings

It is better to plant specimens no older than one year. Despite their small size, compared to older seedlings, they will be better accepted, which will favorably affect further cultivation. Landing is best done in the spring, before the start of sap flow and bud break.

Drainage substrate can be made from fine crushed stone and sand mixture up to a quarter of a meter thick. Drainage is carried out from large gravel and sand with a layer of at least 20-25 centimeters. The extracted soil is mixed with compost components, fertilizers are added. Phosphates and potassium s alts will do.

Root treatment

Before planting, the roots are immersed in water for a while. For better survival, growth activators are used. For this, the rhizome is placed in the solution for half a day. Before planting, the rhizome is treated with a clay mixture.

Accommodation in the landing pit

The plant is aligned perpendicular to the ground, the rhizome straightens out, a support peg is installed. The roots are straightened so that tangles and kinks do not occur. The hole is filled carefully so as not to damage the roots. Start at the edges and move towards the stem. The hole filled up to the middle is rammed a little.

Pour five liters of water taken from a home faucet. After all the liquid has been absorbed, we check the location of the vaccination scar. We place it three centimeters above ground level.

Further, the hole is dug in completely, rammed without much pressure. A recess is left around the trunk for subsequent watering. Watered, mulch added.

Planting and watering

Planting a seedling is not enough. After instillation, the soil is compacted and watered. One hole takes up to twenty liters. Then mulching is carried out.

Rules of care

After planting is completed, the seedlings are fed, watered, pruned.

In the spring, the branches are pruned and a compound is applied to prevent diseases and pests. This is done before the start of sap flow. Nitrogenous top dressings are also introduced.

In the first year after planting, flowering buds are removed from plants. In the second year of life, about ten buds are left. Over time, more and more flowering shoots are left.

Water columnar apple trees regularly as the soil dries out. Loosen the resulting crust. Loosen gently and shallowly so as not to hurt the roots. Sometimes we use tinning of the hole around the seedling. The use of such agricultural technology makes it possible to avoid loosening and, thereby, keep the roots intact.

Fed at the beginning of summer with inorganic fertilizers.Pollinated inflorescences that have appeared are partially removed so that the plant is not overloaded. When small apples reach one and a half centimeters in size, only two fruits are left on each inflorescence. In the future, the smaller of the fruits is also removed.

It is easier to take care of columnar apple trees in summer, but prevention of pests and diseases is required. If symptoms of diseases or traces of parasites are found, urgent measures are taken. Trees are treated with special compounds. Also, for prevention purposes, they are sprayed with chemicals before and after flowering. The last processing is allowed no later than a month before harvest.

At the end of summer, we make top dressing containing potassium s alts. From them, young sprouts form faster and will not freeze in winter.

In late autumn, sometimes, after harvesting, we feed and process from pests and diseases. Cut off the extra shoots.

Irrigation

Regular irrigation makes the fruit more juicy. Gardeners make sure that the plants are adequately watered throughout the season. For effective distribution of moisture, trees are dug in and holes are formed so that water does not spread. It takes up to twenty liters per tree. After watering, the surface is mulched. The frequency of watering depends on how regularly it rains, as well as on the type of soil in which the seedling is planted. On average, plants are watered twice a month.

Feeding fruits

After bud break, gardeners feed apple trees. Fertilizers are applied in the spring, when sap flow begins. The procedure is repeated two more times, every half a month.

Most used:

• chicken manure;
• cow dung;
• urea solution;
• nitrate;
• fertilizer complex.

Cutting nuances

There is an opinion that columnar varieties do not require pruning, as they do not give distillations. But it's not. Sometimes, under unfavorable development conditions, lateral sprouts grow, which spoil the crown. Cut them or not - everyone decides for himself.

The most favorable periods for pruning are the spring season, early summer and autumn. Pruning is carried out over several years.

Each year required:

1. First year. We cut off all the processes from the side, make the main stem shorter.
2. Second year. We cut new shoots, leaving no more than thirty centimeters.
3. Third year. The top is shortened to twenty-five centimeters, leaving forty centimeters on the side.
4. Fourth year. We remove unnecessary and bad processes of the last year.
5. Fifth year. The trunk is cut so that the total length of the tree is no more than three meters.
6. In the future, unnecessary shoots are removed.

Tinning of columnar plants

The rhizome of columnar apple trees is designed in such a way that it is very afraid of overdrying the soil. Therefore, constant hydration is required. To do this, mulch or peat crumbs are introduced. But the easiest way is to tin the surface around the trunk.

Sowing with lawn grasses or other types of low-growing vegetation creates protection from the sun, the roots are sufficiently moistened. At the same time, the grass does not inhibit the growth of the tree. The grass cover is periodically mowed.

Protection from diseases and pests

There are many diseases and parasites that can harm columnar apple trees.These are insects, fungi, mold, germs and viruses. Periodically, the crown and bark of plants are treated with special formulations for pest control. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get a good harvest.

Protection of columnar apple trees in winter

Columnar apple trees need protection during the frosty period. We remove the mulch from the straw so that rodents do not start. The trunk is covered, snow is best suited. It is important to prevent freezing of the trunk and kidneys that occurs when wet and frozen.

We wrap the growth point especially carefully to prevent it from freezing. We are preparing a pole to which a tree is tied so that it does not break from the wind.

Harvesting

Since columnar apple trees are not tall, special tools and equipment for harvesting ripe fruits are not required.Fruit picking begins as it ripens. It depends on the variety. Depending on the purpose of use, the fruits are either stored in the basement or prepared for further processing.

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