Content
- 1 History of selection
- 2 Description of the columnar apple tree Malyukha
- 3 Characteristics of the columnar apple tree Malyukha
- 4 Advantages and disadvantages
- 5 Rules for planting the Malyukha apple tree
- 6 Care instructions
- 7 Collection and storage
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews from gardeners about the Malyukha apple tree
Columnar apple tree Malyukha (Malus columnar Malyukha) is a compact and very convenient tree in terms of harvesting. It is also considered unpretentious and undemanding in care, tolerates winter well and resists most diseases. The variety is relatively fresh, it was bred not so long ago.
Malyukha is a fast-growing and quite promising variety of columnar apple tree
History of selection
The columnar variety of this fruit crop was bred by breeders from VSTISP Viktor Kichin, Nadezhda Morozova and Larisa Tulinova. It was obtained using KV 103 and Brusnichnoe. Development testing continued for seven years.
Description of the columnar apple tree Malyukha
The variety is a compact, neat tree that fits perfectly into a small area. The maximum height of the columnar Malyukha apple tree is 2 m, but usually it grows to 180 cm and no more. Annual growth up to 15 cm.Its straight trunk is decorated with a crown and fruits evenly distributed along it, making the tree look decorative.
Crown
The crown of the columnar variety Malyukha is small in size, but well leafy. The leaf blades are medium in size and colored green. With the onset of warm May days, the tree is covered with small snow-white buds, which subsequently bear fruit.
Baby columnar can be an excellent garden decoration
Fruit
The columnar apple tree Malyukha bears large, round-conical fruits weighing up to 250 g. They are yellow-green in color, with a slightly noticeable blush. The skin is thin, smooth, with a slight waxy coating. The pulp of the apples is white, with a creamy tint allowed.
Characteristics of the columnar apple tree Malyukha
The fruits of the variety cover the tree abundantly, have a pleasant taste, and ripen closer to autumn. The variety is available for cultivation in different climates, has good frost resistance, and resists many diseases.
The purpose of apples is dessert
Taste qualities
The Malyukha apple variety has a rich sweet and sour taste and a pronounced aroma. The fruit pulp is juicy, breaks off when bitten, and the starchiness is weakly expressed. The fruit is not only consumed fresh, but also used for canning, making purees, and baking fillings.
When does the Malyukha apple tree ripen?
The ripening period of the Malyukha columnar apple tree is about three months. Harvest time comes in September. A distinctive characteristic of the fruit is its excellent keeping quality. If the storage rules are followed, they will keep well without loss of taste until January.
Productivity
Of course, if we compare the columnar Malyukha apple tree and the usual varieties of this fruit crop, its yield is much lower. But along with other similar species, it bears quite a lot of fruit. On average, from 13 to 15 kg of apples are harvested from an adult plant. Harvesting begins already from the second year after planting, the first harvest is approximately 2-3 kg, but it increases with each season. It becomes full-fledged when the tree is five years old.
Frost resistance of the Malyukha apple tree
Baby columnar is a winter-hardy variety of the crop and is highly valued in areas with an unstable climate. Experts say that it can withstand temperatures as low as -40 °C.
Pollinators
The variety is not self-fertile. For high-quality fruiting of the Malyukha apple tree, experienced gardeners advise planting pollinators near it. The best varieties are: Kitajka, Valyta, Chernovets (С hernovecz).
Growing regions
Malyukha is a columnar variety of apple tree that can be cultivated in central Russia. It grows and develops well in the Central regions, Ivanovo, Moscow, Ryazan, Smolensk, Bryansk, and Vladimir regions. According to research results, the crop can be grown in cooler climates, for example, in the Urals.
The columnar Malyukha apple tree bears fruit best in the Moscow region
Disease resistance
The tree has increased resistance to major fungal diseases. If the plant looks healthy and feels well, then there is no need to use chemicals on it. To prevent ants and, accordingly, aphids, the drug Thunder is sometimes scattered around the tree trunk.
Advantages and disadvantages
The columnar apple tree of the Malyukha variety is considered a godsend for many gardeners. It has many advantages compared to minor disadvantages.
The Malyukha variety is ideal for growing in central Russia
Advantages:
- convenient tree height for harvesting;
- form that takes up little space on the site;
- decorative appearance;
- winter hardiness;
- strong immunity;
- keeping quality;
- taste characteristics;
- avoiding fruit shedding.
Flaws:
- low yield compared to non-columnar varieties;
- high cost of seedlings;
- the need for care to obtain a decent harvest.
Rules for planting the Malyukha apple tree
It is recommended to plant the columnar Malyukha apple tree in mid-spring or autumn, from September to October. Before work, you should choose the right place for the plant. The area should be protected from wind and drafts and illuminated throughout the day.
It is better to use a warm bed with fertile and well-drained soil for planting. Columnar baby will not grow in lowlands or in areas with close groundwater.
The planting hole for the seedling is prepared in advance, it is dug to a depth of 0.5 m, plastic bottles are placed at the bottom, covered with compost, covered with the remains of grass and leaves, then with sawdust and soil.The apple tree is planted so that the grafting site is located at ground level. After this, the tree trunk circle is covered with mulch, and if there is a threat of frost, the root collar is also mulched. Next, the seedling is watered abundantly.
Typically, columnar apple trees are planted in a row at a distance of 0.7 m from each other.
Care instructions
Columnar baby needs regular care, which should not be neglected. Frail seedlings in the first year of planting require special attention. They should be watered periodically and ensure that the soil at a depth of 5 cm is always moist, but not soggy. As a rule, moisturizing is carried out 1-2 times a week.
In the first year of life, the apple tree requires regular fertilizing: after planting, 50 g of nitroammophosphate is added to the soil, a month later it is fertilized with a urea solution, and after another 4-5 weeks any of these compounds is added.
Experienced gardeners are sure to mulch the plant so as not to have to weed the bed again and not injure the fragile roots. Preventive treatments against diseases are carried out as desired.
In the fall, Malyukha is pruned and the crown is formed, all excess shoots are cut off. Closer to cold weather, the trunk is wrapped in a rodent net and the tree is covered if necessary.
Collection and storage
In order for the fruits to last as long as possible, it is important to collect them correctly and store them in a suitable place. Harvesting should be done in dry weather, apples should be picked together with the stem, and work should be done with gloves. Next, it is recommended to sort the fruits, place all intact and undamaged specimens in prepared containers and put them in a cellar or basement, where the air temperature is +1-4 °C and the humidity is 85-95%.
When properly stored, the variety does not spoil for three months.
Conclusion
The columnar Malyukha apple tree is a variety that has long won the love of summer residents with small plots and more. The plant is interesting in its characteristics, decorative, and is considered not particularly demanding in cultivation and care. The tree produces a good harvest of tasty and juicy apples with a long shelf life.
Reviews from gardeners about the Malyukha apple tree
