Content
- 1 History of selection (first name X-2)
- 2 Characteristics of the columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace
- 2.1 Appearance of fruit and tree
- 2.2 Lifespan
- 2.3 Taste
- 2.4 Growing regions
- 2.5 Productivity
- 2.6 Frost resistance
- 2.7 Resistance to diseases and pests
- 2.8 Flowering period
- 2.9 When does the Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree ripen?
- 2.10 Pollinators of the columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace
- 2.11 Transportation and keeping quality
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages of the Moscow Necklace apple tree variety
- 4 Planting an apple tree Moscow Necklace
- 5 Growing and care
- 6 Collection and storage
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Reviews
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace differs in appearance from other fruit trees. However, the narrow crown, along with the absence of long lateral branches, is not an obstacle to good yield of the variety.
History of selection (first name X-2)
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace (another name is X-2) was bred by Russian breeder Mikhail Vitalievich Kachalkin based on American and Canadian varieties, in particular Mackintosh. At first, the scientist named the new variety simply “X-2,” but later replaced it with the more beautiful “Moscow Necklace.”
The small crown of the Moscow Necklace apple tree is not an obstacle to obtaining a good harvest
Characteristics of the columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace
Moscow necklace is a semi-dwarf fruit crop that does not require much space to grow. However, despite its modest size, the tree not only becomes a decoration for a summer cottage, but also produces a good harvest of sweet and juicy apples.
Appearance of fruit and tree
The Moscow Necklace apple tree has the appearance of a column (hence the name “columnar”), strewn with a large number of apples. The height of a one-year-old seedling is 80 cm, while an adult tree grows up to 2-3 m.
The tree trunk is not very thick, but strong, which allows it to withstand a bountiful harvest of fruit. The bark is brown.
The crown of the Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree is narrow, straight, and compact. The skeletal branches are short, covered with brown bark. Young shoots are green. The lateral ones are located vertically, which provides the fruits with good access to sunlight.
The leaves are dark green, shaped like an ellipse with a pointed tip.
The apples are large and spherical. The average weight of one fruit is 200 g. The peel is thin, glossy, and at the stage of full ripeness has a rich red tint. The pulp is fine-grained, dense, creamy-yellow in color.
Columnar crops can decorate the garden
Lifespan
The tree can live up to 20-25 years. However, due to the end of the fruiting period after 15 years, it is not advisable to grow this apple tree in a garden plot.
Taste
Moscow necklace is a dessert variety.Apples are juicy, sweet and sour, with a subtle fruity aroma.
Growing regions
The crop is suitable for cultivation in different climatic regions. However, this variety is more popular in the regions of central Russia and Southern Siberia.
Productivity
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace bears fruit annually. The productivity of the variety is estimated as high, its peak occurs in 4-6 years of life. The annual harvest of such a tree is approximately 10 kg of apples.
Stable fruiting usually continues until the age of twelve, after which the yield decreases. After the 15th year of life, the tree almost completely stops bearing fruit.
The first fruits appear the following autumn
Frost resistance
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace is characterized as a frost-resistant variety. In areas with snowy winters, mature trees can normally tolerate temperatures as low as -45°C. But it is better to cover young seedlings for the winter with thick cardboard, agricultural fabric or spruce branches. This will help protect them from icy winds and hare raids.
Resistance to diseases and pests
With proper care, this variety is resistant to fungal diseases. However, excessive humidity and non-compliance with growing recommendations can cause the following problems:
- Brown spot. The cause of the disease is a fungus that lives in the upper layers of the soil. The presence of the disease can be determined by brown and yellow spots on the surface of the leaves. During the treatment process, the affected leaves are removed, after which the crown is treated with fungicides.
Brown spotting causes yellow and brown spots to appear on the leaves.
- Fruit rot. The first sign of the disease is brown spots on the surface of the fruit.After some time, the apples become deformed and become completely rotten. During the treatment process, the affected fruits are picked, and the tree is treated with fungicidal preparations.
Rotten fruits are picked
- Codling moth caterpillar. During the flowering period, the moth caterpillar butterfly leaves eggs on the leaves, from which small larvae then emerge. The caterpillars destroy the ovaries and penetrate the formed fruits, making them unsuitable for consumption and storage. Insecticides are used to kill moths.
The codling moth penetrates the apple
Flowering period
The Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree begins to bloom in late spring. Young trees can bloom in the first spring of their life, covered with beautiful, white-pink flowers.
The columnar apple tree blooms in the first spring
When does the Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree ripen?
The first fruits ripen in the second autumn. True, this harvest is not big. Only 6-7 apples ripen on a tree. The harvest is harvested in October.
Pollinators of the columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace is a self-sterile variety. Therefore, for cross-pollination and ovary formation, other apple trees must grow in close proximity to the tree, the flowering period of which coincides with the Moscow necklace. Columnar Vasyugan or President can be suitable pollinators.
Transportation and keeping quality
Apples have good keeping quality and, if the conditions are met, retain their decorative and taste qualities for 2-3 months.Before transportation, it is recommended to place the fruits in boxes, sprinkled with wood shavings or cut paper.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Moscow Necklace apple tree variety
The compact columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace X-2 attracts attention with its decorative effect. However, this is not the only positive quality of the variety.
Advantages:
- beautiful appearance and compactness of the crop;
- good taste of fruits;
- unpretentiousness and easy care;
- good frost resistance;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- normal keeping quality of apples and the possibility of their transportation.
Flaws:
- relatively short fruiting period.
The list of advantages includes the decorativeness and compactness of a columnar culture
Planting an apple tree Moscow Necklace
Planting material for the Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree should be purchased at a nursery or specialty store. It is better to choose annual shoots; they should have a smooth trunk, viable roots and full leaf cover.
The variety's tendency to flower in the first year can weaken spring seedlings. Therefore, it is better to plant the Moscow necklace in late September or early November. In this case, the seedling will have time to take root well before the cold weather arrives in order to please with the first fruits next fall.
The area chosen for the columnar apple tree should be well lit by the sun, but at the same time be protected from drafts and cold winds. The tree does not tolerate excess moisture, so an area with close groundwater is not suitable for growing it.
The soil should be breathable, fertile with neutral acidity. Ideally, choose areas with black soil, loamy or sandy loam soil.
During the landing process:
- dig a hole about 80 cm deep and wide;
- a fertile mixture is made from the top layer of soil, combining it with humus, compost and mineral fertilizers;
- drainage (pebbles or broken bricks) is placed at the bottom of the hole, after which the prepared soil mixture is poured;
- place the seedling in the middle of the hole, carefully straightening its roots;
- fill the hole with the remaining soil;
- the soil in the root zone is lightly compacted and an earthen roller is formed for irrigation;
- tie the seedling to a support - a peg, which is driven in next to the trunk;
- The seedling is watered with two buckets of water, after which the soil in the root zone is mulched.
If you plan to plant several trees, they are placed in rows, the gap between which is 1.5 m. The seedlings are placed at a distance of 50 cm.
Apple trees are placed at a distance of 50 cm
Growing and care
Rules for caring for the Moscow Necklace columnar apple tree are not particularly difficult.
Young seedlings require regular watering as the soil dries out. During the dry period, it is recommended to shower the apple trees twice a month.
In order to increase productivity, as well as improve the quality of fruits, the columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace is systematically fed:
- in the second spring, in the process of loosening the soil, urea is added to the root zone;
- before the beginning of the flowering period, the seedlings are fed with rotted cow manure diluted in water;
- after the end of the flowering period, wood ash is added to the root zone;
- Before wintering, the soil in the root zone is fertilized with humus.
The Moscow Necklace variety requires almost no pruning.Only deformed and dry branches are trimmed.
Water the apple tree as needed
Collection and storage
Apples reach full ripeness in October. Given their ability to crack, apples intended for further storage or transportation should be removed by hand and carefully placed in wooden or plastic containers. In the dark, cool month, the fruits do not lose their taste and decorative qualities for 2 months.
Warning! Before storing apples, they should be sorted, removing damaged and rotten ones.
Conclusion
The columnar apple tree Moscow Necklace is a late-ripening variety that, with minimal care, produces a stable harvest. And the compact shape of the trees allows them to be grown in small areas.
