The columnar apple tree is a godsend for gardeners, but not everyone succeeds in growing this wayward culture. This hybrid plant does not tolerate severe winters and prolonged cold weather. A good harvest is easier to grow in warm southern areas. But many gardeners have learned the secrets of growing such apple trees. These unusual trees, with proper care, can be grown in other climates. You just need to know and follow all the rules of planting and growing.
Features of a columnar apple tree
These unusual trees have only one trunk, with almost no lateral branching. Few branches only grow upward. The apple tree blooms on very short twigs. During flowering, the trunk of a tree resembles one huge flower, and during the fruiting period it is as if the whole is decorated with numerous fruits.
The columnar apple tree has a very attractive appearance, but this is not the main reason why it attracts gardeners and gardeners. This tree is simply made for small areas as it takes up very little space. It will be a real salvation for those who have a small summer cottage, and the desire to grow many vegetable and berry crops is huge.
An apple tree with one vertical trunk will not interfere with other plants, it practically does not create shade in the nearest beds. This type of apple trees, subject to all the rules for caring for them, yields a crop already in the second year after planting seedlings. And the most interesting thing is that it is a pleasure to harvest from trees of this shape.
Experienced gardeners recommend that those who decide to acquire such an apple seedling pay special attention to its quality when buying and choose the right planting site. The future harvest will largely depend on this.
Prepare to buy a seedling, look at the photo, remember its main differences from other seedlings, so as not to be mistaken with the choice. Young apple trees of this variety have thicker trunks than other species. The seedling should not have side branches, and the distance from one internode to another is very small. When choosing a variety of columnar apple, take into account the climatic conditions of your area and be sure to find out everything about the plant's vaccination.
The place for planting the apple tree must be chosen by weighing all the pros and cons. This type of tree has its own preferences and requirements, so everything should be carefully considered in this matter.
Planting a columnar apple tree
To choose the right place for planting an apple tree, you need to know that it absolutely cannot withstand drafts. Therefore, it is better to choose a place near the wall of the house or a high fence, and preferably on the south side.
The second important prerequisite for planting is a sufficient amount of sunlight. If the lighting is not enough, the tree will stretch upward. Therefore, choose only a sunny area.
And one more prerequisite is warm soil. Here the device of a warm bed will come to the rescue, you cannot do without it.
A distinctive feature of these apple trees is its root system.She finds herself the necessary nutrition only in the upper layer of the soil, because her roots do not go deep into the ground. This means that the tree will need additional feeding. You will have to feed the apple tree constantly and with a special composition.
Given all these planting conditions, the conclusion suggests itself that the columnar apple requires greenhouse conditions. After all, only in the greenhouse it is constantly sunny and warm, there are no drafts. Indeed, it is in such growing conditions that the apple tree will give the maximum yield. Gardeners and summer residents who have purchased such a variety of apple trees will need to create the most similar conditions. If this is not possible, then it is better not to waste time and effort.
So, the seedlings have been purchased, the planting site has been selected, you can proceed to the preparation of the planting pits. Young trees are planted in spring. About a month before the planned planting, you need to dig the required number of holes at a distance of about 1 meter from each other. Each planting hole should be approximately square in shape (with a side of about fifty centimeters each) and at least half a meter deep.
Since the seedling needs warm soil, we equip a warm bed at the bottom of each hole. The first layer will be empty plastic bottles (closed). They must be covered with compost, and on top of it layers of organic waste alternate: nitrogen-containing (grass and food waste, leaves and tops) and carbon-containing (waste paper and small wood waste). When the planting hole is filled to the top, it is left alone for one month. A small mound is left on top of the pit.
When the time comes for planting, the roots of the seedling must be carefully spread and set on a mound. Make sure that the root collar is not covered with soil. The root system of the apple tree must be covered with prepared compost, slightly compacted and filled with two liters of water.
Care and cultivation of a columnar apple tree
In the first year, the tree gets used to a new place, its root system develops. The apple tree is not yet capable of bearing fruit. And even if several flowers appear, then they must be removed, since the apple tree needs to get stronger and gain strength.
What is included in the concept of caring for an apple tree and is considered mandatory:
- Watering and maintaining the required humidity.
- Special feeding.
- Pruning and shaping the apple tree.
- Freeze protection (shelter).
The soil in the tree-trunk circles should be constantly moderately moist. It is possible to maintain this level of humidity using drip irrigation or a mulch layer.
You need to talk about dressing in more detail. The columnar apple tree needs frequent and varied feeding, at least twice a month.
In early spring, the tree needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers (bird or animal manure), during the period of ovary formation, complex fertilizers, and at the end of summer, ash (or any other top dressing with potassium) is added to the soil.
You also need to apply fertilizer correctly, it is not enough just to scatter it in the trunk circles. It can have a negative effect. All the nutrients that the apple tree takes from fertilizing will go to the growth and riot of foliage, and not to fruiting. Therefore, different types of fertilizers are applied each in its own way.
For example, manure should be spread in a small pile next to the tree (on the surface of the soil). Mineral fertilizers must be applied under the soil. To do this, with the help of any garden tool, a small hole is made in the near-trunk circle, into which top dressing is poured and crushed with a layer of earth. The apple tree in such ways will take from the soil only the amount of nutrients it needs.
An apple tree needs nitrogen-containing fertilizing only in the first half of summer. In the second half of July, trees begin to prepare for the cold season and lay fruit buds, so they no longer need to spend energy on growth.
In early autumn, it is necessary to remove all remaining leaves from the apple tree and whitewash the trunk.This protective coating will keep the necessary moisture content inside the wood.
Since the columnar apple tree is prone to freezing, you will need to carefully cover its roots and apical bud. A good winter shelter for a tree will be spruce branches, any rags and even roofing material. With the help of these materials, an apple tree can be built like a "house", which will protect not only from cold and strong winds, but also hide from snow.
Pruning and shaping a columnar apple tree
Columnar apple trees sometimes develop small lateral branches that require pruning. Already in the second year of life, each such branch should be cut off. Cut off those parts that are after the third kidney. Already in the next season, such branches are able to give good fruits. Sometimes gardeners form two (or even three) trunks on an apple tree. If the top of one of the trunks freezes, the others will act as insurance and save the apple tree.
