Apple tree Modi

The Modi project was launched in 2007, bringing together many foreign experts involved in the production and marketing of apples. The goal pursued was initially specific - to promote a high quality brand focused on the health of the consumer. The Modi variety, which fully meets all the requirements of the project, has become such a successful brand. The initiative significantly stimulated the acquisition and distribution of the variety in Russia.

Modi is the result of the efforts of the Italian breeders consortium Italiano Vivasiti (CIV). The purpose of scientific research of the Italians was to obtain a variety with red fruits, juicy, moderately sweet, with a long shelf life, good transportability and high environmental performance. In 1982, this result was achieved by crossing two species - Liberty and Gala. The developed variety was named Modi (MODI, CIVG198), in honor of the famous Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. By the way, the Italian often used red colors in his work, which corresponds to the cover color of Modi. In Russia, the newcomer has gone through a long test path, has become widespread only since 2014. Modi is not yet included in the State Register, it is not officially zoned. Nevertheless, it is grown in many of our gardens.

The type of tree is medium-sized, reaching a height of 3.5-4 m, but gardeners are usually limited to 3 meters for ease of fruit collection and maintenance. It is more logical to call Modi a natural semi-dwarf. The upper part of the culture forms a pronounced pyramidal or conical configuration with a wide base, which greatly facilitates the formation of a wide-oval shape in the future. The shoots of the plant are strong, thin, elongated. The leaves are large, densely formed, slightly elongated, glossy, with shine and refined innervation, pubescent on the back. In shape, they are shortly pointed, crenate, at the edges they are folded like a boat. The color can be deep green, dark green or emerald green. The root system is located at the top of the soil, well branched, with or without a central core, depending on the rootstock.

The variety is promising, suitable for industrial cultivation and for amateur gardening, since it has a number of positive characteristics:

• early maturity and high productivity;

• self-fertility;

• frost resistance (up to –27 °);

• annual fruiting;

• compactness;

• excellent marketable fruit;

• wonderful taste;

• good transportability;

• long storage period;

• resistant immunity to fungi (scab), pest attacks, aphids, allowing the cultivation of environmentally friendly fruits.

No significant deficiencies were found in the variety.

The variety is early-growing - the buds appear already in the first year of life. Nevertheless, it is recommended not to eliminate them immediately, but to wait up to 2-3 years before allowing fruiting.Even young growth gives impressive yields, and for small boles, they may be too significant, which will require props and garters for the branches weighted with fruit.

The flowering time begins in the second decade of May. The buds open amicably, abundantly - the tree turns into a fragrant and beautiful bouquet. The flowers are large, with a thick aroma, with white-pinkish tints, grouped in dense inflorescences of 6-8 pieces. The flowering period lasts 12-14 days, which allows the bees to fully cope with their work.

There are a number of different opinions about fruiting (perhaps they are determined by differences in the quality of agricultural care, growth conditions and the qualities of the rootstock). Some argue that trees grow extremely quickly, reaching their highest height in 5-6 years. Others say that trees grow 8-10 cm in one growing season. Therefore, when purchasing seedlings, you should get a specialist's certificate. The situation is similar with regard to the increase in the level of fruiting.

It is possible to pick up fruits and send them for storage at the end of September, but you can postpone this procedure until the first days of October. The fruits are firmly attached to the branches and are not prone to falling off. They should be stored in cellars or in refrigerators, where they can lie marketable until almost the next harvest.

The variety belongs to the high-yielding species, which is surprising for such a compact plant. One bole produces 65-80 kg of delicious and beautiful fruits per season. With small occupied areas from one hectare of such an orchard, you can collect up to 200-220 centners of apples.

Modi fruits are large, with an average weight in the range of 160-200 g. The largest fruit weight reaches 300 g. They have a regular shape, rounded or round-conical, symmetrical, with implicit ribbing. The funnel is medium in size. The skin is smooth, shiny, glossy, densely formed, not very thick, the surface is slightly oily. The main color is greenish, but in the process of growth it changes to an implicit, barely noticeable yellow, hiding behind an integumentary blush. A blush of uniform character, deep red shades, occupying up to 95-98% of the fruit area during the period of reaching fruiting maturity. Subcutaneous spots are light, grayish-green, small, multiple, pronounced.

Chemical composition:

• P-active substances (catechins) - 320 mg;

• ascorbic acid - 14.3 mg;

• sugars (fructose) - 12.1%;

• pectins - 9.6%;

• titratable acids - 0.47%.

The pulp is compacted, grainy, crispy and slightly prickly, but more tender, juicy, with an appetizing texture. It has a fragrant characteristic aroma, the taste is dessert, well balanced, sweet and sour, but to a greater extent it gives off sweetness. On the tasting scale, Modi fruits gain 4.8 points.

Planting is done both in the spring and in the fall (in the northern regions only in the spring). Due to the compactness of the plant, it does not require significant spaces, but sunny, well-ventilated places are needed. Air stagnation in plant crowns is fraught with various diseases. Fertile soils are preferable for the variety, but fertilized loams will also work. The decisive factor is the absence of soil acidification.

Distances are left between trees that do not stimulate conflicts between them. The rootstock influences a lot here. For dwarf specimens, 2-3 m is enough, and for seed specimens - 5-6 m. Before planting, stakes or supporting devices for tying plants are driven into the grooves.

There is no need to prepare the pits in advance, you can immediately organize them with a size of 60x80 cm and about 1 m in diameter.At the bottom of the holes, soil is laid out, mixed with a small amount of humus and mineral fertilizers, a mound is made from the soil, on which a seedling is placed. From above, the tree is sprinkled with earth, lightly rammed, then watered (35-50 liters of water) and mulched.

Regular weeding of root zones, root growth is the main concern of gardeners growing Modi. Excavation of the trunk circle is performed no more than 2 times a year, which is sufficient for aeration. Trees are watered only during periods of hot and dry weather. The basic rule is that if there is no rain for 2 weeks, then it's time to water. Simultaneously with water, it is convenient to fertilize and fertilize apple trees, enhancing their growth and fruiting.

Pruning is carried out mainly for the formation of crowns, since Modi has no tendency to thicken. But sanitary pruning in its traditional performance is required.