Columnar apple tree Arbat

Having your own apples in the garden is always tasty and healthy. If you want to try to grow a small tree, you should take a closer look at the Arbat variety.

This variety is of Russian selection. The height of the trees is from 1.5 to 3 meters. This is a semi-dwarf or dwarf early-growing apple tree. It can be grown as an ornamental columnar tree.

The peculiarity of this species is the absence of the usual crown. Apples ripen at the ends of the shoots, so the collection of fruits is easy.

The trunk practically does not branch, there is a lot of foliage. It is imperative to carry out normalization.

The Arbat variety has many advantages, thanks to which it has become so in demand among modern gardeners. Among them:

• small size;
• for the growth and development of an apple tree, only 0.5 meters of free space is required;
• fruiting is observed every year;
• the apple tree has high immunity;
• good frost resistance.

It is impossible not to say about the shortcomings of this tree:

• ripe apples cannot be stored for a long time;
• fruits may shrink over time;
• the tree will live on the site for only 14-17 years.

If we talk about the timing of ripening, then Arbat belongs to the late summer varieties. Removable ripeness of the fruit begins in September. You can pick apples in the second year after planting seedlings.

Since this variety was bred on the territory of our country, it is perfectly adapted to weather conditions. Grown in most regions, including the south and temperate climates.

The apple tree Arbat demonstrates a high yield. From 100 sq. m, with proper care, you can collect up to 1000 kg in a good year.

The fruits of the described variety can be transported over long distances. Marketability is at a high level.

Arbat apples have a universal purpose. Their color is from yellow to red. The fruits are characterized by a rounded shape, weight - from 70 to 80 grams. The skin is glossy, the pulp is juicy inside. Fruits have aroma, can lie in storage until December. The taste is estimated by experts as sweet and sour.

Arbat grows on any soil - the main thing is that it is well-drained.

Before planting the seedling, the roots should be soaked in water for at least a couple of hours. To increase the survival rate, there is such a technique: you need to take soil, mullein, dilute them with water to the consistency of thick sour cream, add a root formation stimulator and, dipping the plant roots into this mixture, immediately plant seedlings in the garden. Instead of earth, you can take clay - it has a better binding ability.

It is best to plant a seedling late in the evening, when there are no more scorching rays of the sun, or in the early morning. And if the weather is warm, sunny, then first it is better to shade the place.

Young trees need regular watering, especially in the first year of life, in weeding along the perimeter of the root system, since weeds deplete the soil, taking away the nutrients the tree needs. Due to the fact that the root system of this crop lies very close to the soil surface, loosening must be carried out carefully so as not to damage it. To make the grass grow less, the soil can be mulched with peat.

It is believed that it is best to plant Arbat seedlings in the fall, so that the root system will adapt well in a new place. Since planting is carried out in autumn, it is very important to compact the soil well in the area of ​​the root system so that voids do not form there (otherwise the seedling will freeze in winter), and be sure to water it with water so that the soil settles more evenly. Spring planting is possible from mid-April to about mid-June.

Arbat can bloom already in the year of planting, but the flowers must be cut off so that the tree gains strength and forms a strong root system. He should not be allowed to tie in the second year, but you can leave several ovaries. Then in the third season you will get a good harvest.

For better maturation of the crown of the main shoot, it is necessary to shorten the four upper leaves by 2/3 in mid-August.

As usual, in the second half of summer, nitrogen fertilizers are not applied, so as not to provoke the growth of shoots that will not have time to ripen before winter. And most importantly, the top will not have time to ripen, and in winter it will freeze. When the growth of the main stem stops, then in the spring 2-3 replacement increments will begin to form, but they will no longer grow vertically, but sideways. You need to choose the strongest and most vertically oriented (this must be done no later than the end of spring), and remove the rest.

Special attention is required when planting Arbat in clay soil. In such soil, the planting hole should be made wider than usual, due to the fact that the root system of fruit trees in clay soil no longer grows in depth, but in width. A peg is driven into the center of the pit and fertile soil is poured.

Inexperienced gardeners are always warned not to use fresh manure when planting seedlings, it can burn the roots. But if you approach the matter wisely, then you can add fresh manure, only lay it on the very bottom with a layer about 20 cm thick, and fill it with fertile soil on top. The most important thing is that at this stage the roots do not touch the feeding. The next year, the manure will rot, and the roots will take nutrients from it.

The frost resistance of the variety is average, therefore, in especially cold climates, it is better to cover the tree for the winter.

Despite the fact that Arbat has a high resistance to pests and diseases, it is better to carry out preventive treatment with a fungicide or insecticide. This should be done in early spring.