Yesenia's columnar apple tree

Large horticultural farms, especially in European countries, are purposefully reorienting their own production to growing super-intensive orchards, changing traditional trees to high-yielding columnar ones. One of these varieties is the early-ripening high-yielding apple tree Yesenia, whose purpose is to consume fresh fruits, despite the fact that the variety is highly decorative.

The Oryol All-Russian Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops, whose hallmark is new varieties of columnar apple trees, gave birth to another masterpiece - Yesenia. Trials of a completely young variety began in 2019, there are no exact indicators in almost all parameters, however, judging by the starting data, the variety has huge potential.

Gardeners are presented with a late-ripening semi-dwarf columnar apple tree of compact size with a thin bark. Because of this, the plant is quite vulnerable to insect pests, mechanical damage and adverse conditions. At the same time, its unique compactness and small size of the root system makes it possible to grow a tree in pots - an excellent specimen for a winter garden.

Lateral shoots are not formed, therefore the pyramidal crown reaches only 40-60 cm in diameter, height - 2 m. Ringworms are covered with dark green large leaves with a glossy surface. The plant requires growing on a trunk, especially in regions of risky farming.

The peculiarity of the variety is the possibility of growing in pots, greenhouses, which allows you to get fresh fruits in the Far North.

Pros of Yesenia:

• resistance to fungal diseases;
• the beginning of fruiting in the second year after planting;
• good productivity, small size, high marketability.

Minuses:

• insufficient winter hardiness;
• short fruiting period - 10 to 12 years.

In addition, regular aeration is required for the plant, since a weak root is not able to get oxygen and nutrition.

The variety belongs to the winter type with a late ripening period - the fruits reach removable maturity at the end of September. Regular fruiting occurs at 2 years. Apples are not prone to shedding, moreover, they stay on the branches for a long time after the onset of technical ripeness. The harvest is stored until spring, if the desired regime is observed.

The variety is adapted for the middle zone - Moscow, Smolensk, Kaluga and other regions. As well as Chernozem regions and the Volga region.

Yesenia has a high yield - up to 8-10 kilograms per column.

Large fruits are covered with oily and shiny thin skin. The cover color is light yellow; at the time of physiological ripeness, the surface is covered with a blush. Greenish juicy pulp, sometimes with a creamy tinge, has a sweet and sour taste and a tasting score of 4.3–4.4 points. Weight - 170-200 grams.

Yesenia is a delicate and fragile variety that requires special attention and conditions. With ideal agricultural technology, it grows actively and bears fruit well. For planting in open ground, they choose sunny places with good protection from the winds. Excessive thickening prevents ventilation of the bark, which is important for the variety.

The tree prefers breathable, fertile soils with a neutral pH level, but it is still better to dilute chernozem with river sand. Acidic soils are deoxidized with lime fluff. Low-lying areas can only be approached if there are no stagnant waters or streams nearby.

Wells are prepared in advance, 2-3 weeks is enough. The distance between the pits is 0.5-0.6 m, in the aisles - from 0.8 to 1 meter, the size is 60x80 cm. The excavated soil is enriched with organic matter and mineral fertilizers, a drainage layer is arranged at the bottom and a stake is driven in as a trunk. 2 buckets of water are poured into the pit.

The seedling is installed in such a way that the support covers the trunk from the north side, creating additional protection for the delicate tree. The roots are carefully covered with soil, leaving the root collar 10 cm above ground level. The soil must be well compacted, a protective earthen rampart must be arranged around the perimeter of the trunk circle, again shed and covered with mulch.

Further care consists in constant aeration of the soil - weeding or planting suitable plants (lemon balm, dill, calendula, marigolds). Weak roots are not able to extract moisture from the depths, so regular watering is necessary during dry periods.

A self-fertile variety needs pollinator varieties, so other varieties with similar flowering times should grow in the neighborhood. Sometimes, to attract bees and bumblebees, the crowns are sprayed with sugar syrup.

The first two years Yesenia will do without additional food, then annual feeding will be needed. In the spring, spill with a solution of nitrophoska, before the beginning of flowering, add phosphorus and potassium-containing compounds, in the fall add 15 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium nitrate and 5 g of azophoska. All dressings are combined with watering so as not to burn weak roots.

Despite the fact that the plant is considered frost-resistant, it needs shelter for the winter. The trunks are covered with mulch and snow. Low-rise plants can be completely covered with agrofibre and cardboard.

The apple tree is distinguished by good immunity to pests and fungal diseases, as well as to scab, but annual preventive treatments with insecticides and fungicides are required.