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Over the last half century, growing apple trees on various rootstocks has become very popular, which makes it possible to further expand the scope of growing apple trees, since not everyone is happy to see large, tall trees in tiny areas. A dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks allow even owners of six-acre dachas to have several varieties of apple trees in their gardens.
Particularly interesting, from this point of view, are the so-called columnar apple trees. After all, these apple trees almost do not form ordinary side branches, and the fruits ripen directly on the trunk. Of course, it is difficult to pass by such a miracle without admiring it. But they should not be confused with dwarf apple trees. Because columnar varieties arose as a result of a mutation that was caused by a lack of growth hormone. By fixing this mutation, breeders are able to create special columnar varieties of apple trees and other crops. Such varieties have many advantages - they practically do not need pruning, they are compact, beautiful, quite productive, winter-hardy, and even on a small piece of land you can plant several varieties with different ripening periods at once.
Columnar Apple tree Medok is one of the most popular varieties, description, photos and reviews about which you can study in this article. It has many of the advantages of columnar varieties and is even devoid of some of the disadvantages inherent in them. But first things first.
History of occurrence and description of the variety
In 1987, at the Moscow Institute of Horticulture, a new variety of apple tree was obtained by sowing seeds from free pollination of the columnar donor KV 103. In 1993, the new variety received the number 385/342. After numerous tests, in 1996 it received the official name Medoc, and its reproduction and distribution began throughout the country. Work on identifying the variety and testing it was carried out under the guidance of Professor V.V. Kichina, and N.G. helped her in this. Morozova.
The apple tree variety itself belongs to medium-sized trees; it is characterized by a columnar growth form; the tree reaches a height of 2.2 meters. Since apple trees of this variety have a powerful growth force, they are especially successful in dwarf rootstocks Mark and 62-396. The crown of the apple tree is very compact, does not exceed 25 cm in width, but is densely leafy. A maximum of 2-3 buds can be observed on the side branches.
The leaves are quite large, standard green in color, elongated in shape with a pointed tip.
Due to this feature, trees tolerate both autumn and spring replanting well and are not susceptible to disease. Apple trees of this variety are good at resisting the invasion of various pests.
The Medoc apple tree blooms quite early, depending on the planting region, from late April to mid-May.The spectacle of a mature tree completely covered with flowers from top to bottom is impressive and mesmerizing.
For all columnar varieties of apple trees, the main task is to preserve the apical bud, since it is this bud that is responsible for the columnar shape of the tree. That is why, despite the overall significant frost resistance of the Medoc variety - the root system can withstand down to -42 ° C - it is recommended to cover the trunk and top of the tree with insulation to protect against freezing. If the top does freeze, you must immediately replace it with one of the sides.
All columnar varieties are early fruiting. The honey columnar apple tree is no exception. Flowers may appear on it in the first year after planting. But the tree is not recommended to bear fruit at such an early age. It is advisable to pick off the flowers. But next year you will be able to get a sufficient amount of fruit. The Medoc apple tree reaches its maximum yield approximately in the fifth year of life, and it can amount to up to 8-10 kg of apples from one tree.
However, using intensive technology for caring for apple trees, this yield indicator can be doubled.
The Medoc apple tree is a late-summer or early-autumn variety in terms of ripening time. This greatly depends on the climatic conditions of the area where this columnar variety grows. In the southern regions, where there is more sun and heat, apples ripen in August. In the northern regions, the harvest may occur in September.
Fruit characteristics
The original appearance of the tree, strewn like a column from top to bottom with fruits, will not leave any gardener indifferent. Well, what about the apples themselves, does it make sense to grow them, or can the tree be used more for decorative purposes?
Medoc apples have the following characteristics:
- The fruits cannot be classified as small, on average their weight is 150-200 grams, but there are individual specimens weighing up to 250 grams. The size of the fruit depends not so much on the age of the tree, but on the appropriate care for it: properly organized watering and fertilizing.
- Apples have a round shape.
- The fruits have a fairly uniform rich white-yellow color, without spots or streaks.
- The pulp is juicy, white, and has a coarse-grained structure.
- The name of the variety itself speaks of the high taste qualities of apples. The sweet fruits have a pronounced taste of honey. The aroma is light, almost imperceptible.
- The shelf life of fruits, like most summer varieties, is short - about a month.
- The Medoc variety is universal in use - it is good both fresh and in the form of numerous preparations for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Medoc variety of columnar apple tree has a large number of advantages that make it desirable for planting in almost any garden plot. Among the advantages, the following can be highlighted:
- The variety is very frost-resistant - it can withstand down to -42°C, that is, it can be grown even in the regions of Siberia, where the standard of unpretentiousness - Antonovka - can suffer from freezing.
- A good, strong, but compact root system, which increases the stability of the tree, on the one hand, and allows it to be grown even in containers, on the other hand.
- The apple tree is self-fertile and early-fruiting.
- The variety is highly resistant to various diseases and pests.
- Apples have an excellent taste and are suitable for dietary and baby food.
Like every variety, Medka also has a number of disadvantages:
- The short shelf life of the fruit is only a month.
- The Medoc apple tree, like most columnar varieties, is capable of bearing fruit only for 12-16 years.
Features of cultivation and care
Planting a Medok apple tree seedling can be done both in autumn and spring. When planting, be sure to leave the grafting site above the soil surface. Columnar apple trees of this variety can be planted in rows with a distance between trees and rows of 40 or 50 cm.
By the way, sowing some flowers, such as marigolds and calendula, can repel many apple tree pests.
All columnar apple trees, and Medok is no exception, require regular care. Watering should be done at least twice a week. Feeding should also be regular, starting from the spring period of bud awakening and until the leaves fly off.
Warming and wrapping the trunk with burlap for the winter is very desirable, especially in the northern regions. In Siberia, it is advisable to wrap the entire tree for the winter to avoid freezing of the apical bud.
Reviews from gardeners about the Medoc variety
Reviews from summer residents and gardeners cannot help but pay tribute to the beauty and unique appearance of the Medoc apple tree. Do not forget about the speedy harvest and the taste of apples.
Columnar apple trees captivate with many invaluable qualities. But with the Medoc variety, everyone will find something valuable or useful, or beauty, or taste, or early fruitfulness, or unpretentiousness.
