Columnar apple-tree Malukha

In recent years, the selection of apple trees belonging to columnar varieties has been actively carried out. One of the pioneers in this area is the Russian scientist V.V. Kichina. The renowned breeder took a direct part in the creation of many striking varieties of apple crops. Recently, a relatively fresh variety called Malyukha has become popular.

Bred by the specialists of VSTISP Professor V.V. Kichina, N.G. Morozova and L.F. Tulinova. In breeding they used Brusnichnoye and KB 103. Prior to being included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia, variety trials lasted 7 years.

A fast-growing columnar variety. The apple tree grows up to 2.5 m. The annual growth does not exceed 15 cm. The baby tree has a small, compact crown and good foliage. In May, the tree is covered with beautiful snow-white flowers. It is a non-self-fertile variety, pollinated by Currency, Kitayka, Chervonets.

The medium-sized variety is considered very convenient for picking fruits. The shape of the tree does not take up much space. It turns out to break a small apple orchard in a small area.

The appearance of Malyukha is very decorative, which allows not only supplying apples to the owners, but also decorating the territory of the site. Bears fruit with full, large apples. High frost resistance, which is highly valued in areas with cool climates.

The columnar apple tree is inferior to ordinary varieties only in one - there are more fruits on an ordinary apple tree.

Autumn ripening terms. Removable maturity occurs at the beginning - end of September. The baby begins to bear fruit in the second year, and from the age of five it gives a harvest annually.

This columnar variety is a real find for gardeners in central Russia.

The admission region is Central, represented by the Bryansk, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Moscow, Kaluga, Ryazan, Tula and Smolensk regions.

The results obtained during the tests represent the possibility of cultivating Malyukha in cooler climates, in particular, in the Urals. But the best performance is shown in the Moscow region.

The apple tree of this variety has a high yield, up to 13 kg.

The rounded-conical apples are evenly distributed on the trunk. The weight of each individual fruit is 60-80 g. It is considered small or medium in size.

The color of the peel is light yellow. The skin is smooth, thin, but dense, there is a light waxy coating.

The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, with a predominant sweetness - dessert. The color of the juicy pulp is closer to cream, the density is average. Apples exude a subtle aroma.

Malyukha variety can be planted in spring (April) or autumn (September-October).

Before proceeding with the landing, it is important to correctly determine the landing site. It must certainly be draft-free and always sunny.

The soil is preferable fertile, with high drainage properties. It is important to remember that the proximity to groundwater is destructive for a tree. Therefore, it is important not to plant it in the lowlands.

Having decided on the place, you can start organizing the landing pit. It will be correct to prepare it 2 weeks before planting the apple tree. In width, it should be 50 cm. The depth is determined by the length of the roots of the seedling.

Usually, columnar varieties of apple trees are planted in a row. The planting distance is kept within 0.4 m.If several rows are planted, a distance of 130 cm must be maintained between the rows.

Whenever possible, a "warm" bed is used when planting.

A hole is dug, at the bottom of which plastic bottles are placed, and compost is laid on top of them.

Then a layer of plant residues of weeds, grass and foliage, a layer of sawdust and earth are alternately placed there. A Malukha sapling is planted in the prepared "pillow".

In winter, you need to try to protect the tree from frost. With the arrival of cold weather, the root collar is mulched about 10 cm in height. After the apple tree is planted, it is watered and mulched.

Different weather conditions affect the irrigation regime. In order for the tree to be comfortable in the first year of life, you will have to control the soil so that it remains moist to a depth of 4-5 cm. In normal weather, watering is needed 2 times a week.

Like all fruit trees, Malukh needs to be pruned. From the second year after planting, it is necessary to form a crown, get rid of unnecessary branches growing horizontally. The uppermost vertical shoot cannot be cut, it is only allowed to tie it up.

It will be convenient for the baby to cut off according to a certain pattern.

At the 2nd year of life - the lateral branches are cut to 2 buds. During the summer period, fresh shoots will develop from them.

At 3 years old, annual shoots are already bearing fruit, and young shoots are cut into 2 buds.

At the 4th year - they remove last year's branches, those that have already borne fruit, and with the rest of the shoots they act again according to the scheme.

With this pruning option, a stem is obtained that grows slowly, while annual fruiting is ensured. And in the absence of pruning, the apple tree will lose its columnar shape, and the tree will quickly age.

Weeding and loosening are usually combined. To facilitate the work, the trunks are especially mulched so that the weeds do not interfere with the young tree.

In the first year after planting, it is recommended to add nitroammophoska at the rate of 50 g of funds per 1 seedling.

Re-feeding is necessary for the culture in a month. This time you can use urea by dissolving 2 tbsp. spoons of composition in 1 bucket of water.

The third top dressing, the final one, is carried out a month later. Again, you can use urea or nitroammophos.

Top dressing is always applied to wet soil. First, young seedlings should be watered, and only after that fertilize them.

Disease and pest resistance is high. A similar resistance is observed to fungal diseases. In this regard, there is no great need for the application of medicinal chemical compounds to the apple.

But in the spring, it will be useful to treat the seedling with special fungicides and pest control agents.

Around the trunk it will not hurt to sprinkle with "Thunder", which protects the tree from ants. The absence of ants ensures that aphids will not start on the leaves.

Rodents can covet apple bark in winter. It would be wise and prudent to wrap the trunk with a netting.

The fruits are intended for fresh consumption.

Gardeners note the high keeping quality of apple fruits. They can be stored until January without losing their qualities.

Those who have been growing the Malukh apple tree for several years say that the yield is only getting richer every year.

In spring, the apple tree pleases with wonderful flowering and fills the garden with marvelous aromas.

In summer, its column gives a clear vertical line of greenery, and in autumn it bears tasty fruits. However, in winter, garden culture does not cause much trouble.

Undoubtedly, the Malukha apple tree deserves a place in any garden of a domestic gardener.