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People who come to a dwarf garden for the first time experience surprise and even shock: one and a half meter trees are simply strewn with large and beautiful fruits. U apple trees Seedlings of ordinary tall varieties of this size are just beginning to bear fruit, while dwarf trees are already producing full harvests. Dwarf apple trees appeared relatively recently, but they are quickly gaining popularity among gardeners. “Dwarfs” have a lot of advantages: productivity, compact size, good frost resistance, and much more. But such apple trees also have their own characteristics and some disadvantages.
This article will present the best varieties of dwarf apple trees. Here we will talk about the distinctive features of “dwarfs”, their strengths and weaknesses, how they are classified and how such apple trees should be grown.
Features of "dwarfs"
All experienced gardeners know the fact that ordinary varieties of apple trees are obtained by grafting to a rootstock grown from a seed or from a cutting of a varietal crop. To grow bonsai, it is necessary to graft the varietal cuttings onto a special dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock.
Seedlings of dwarf varieties are sold everywhere, but they are somewhat more expensive than ordinary tall trees. In order not to purchase a “fake”, you need to know the characteristic features of dwarf apple varieties:
- there is always a clearly visible protrusion near the root collar of the “dwarf” - this is the grafting site;
- the root system of simple apple trees has a tap structure, while the roots of the dwarf variety are fibrous, small, and well branched;
- two-year-old dwarf apple tree seedlings should have large buds located at the ends of the shoots;
- the standard should have a height of no more than half a meter;
- There should be few formed branches, just a few pieces.
Advantages and disadvantages
Reviews from gardeners about dwarf species existing today apple trees contradictory: not everyone likes the features of these trees. In order not to be among those disappointed, you need to carefully study all the information about “dwarfs” and know their pros and cons.
All varieties of dwarf apple trees have several common qualities: among them there are both positive and negative characteristics. A gardener who decides to plant a dwarf tree should know about its advantages:
- Compact dimensions of the crown and root system. For normal development, a “dwarf” only needs a couple of square meters of garden. This small tree will not cast a shadow on the site or vegetable beds, and its roots will definitely not harm the foundation of the house or other outbuildings.
- The dwarf apple tree begins to bear fruit very early – Already in the third year after planting, full-fledged harvests can be collected. But ordinary varieties begin to bear fruit consistently only in the sixth or seventh year.
- The yield of “dwarfs” is comparable to the number of fruits of a standard adult apple tree. Every year the yield of dwarf apple trees increases; the tree does not slowly age.
- Caring for a dwarf apple tree, harvesting from it, pruning and spraying is much easier, after all, the branches of the tree are at the level of human eyes. The gardener will not need ladders, stepladders or other special equipment.
- The crown of the “dwarf” is small, so the branches and leaves need very little nutrition. All nutrients and moisture from the soil go directly to the fruit, which significantly affects the taste and size of the apples.
- The trunk of the dwarf apple tree is short, all substances move along it quickly, and the roots located close to the surface immediately absorb water and fertilizers from the soil. This structure allows the fetus to quickly and fully receive the necessary nutrition.
- Significantly less fertilizers and means for treating the crown will be needed, than in the case of tall apple trees.
- The bark of “dwarfs” is thinner; the tree stops growth and development earlier with the onset of cold weather. Therefore, compact apple trees have time to prepare for wintering, as a result of which they rarely freeze out. Winter-hardy dwarfs are increasingly becoming the choice of gardeners from the Urals and Siberia.
Unfortunately, dwarf varieties also have disadvantages:
- Short lifespan. Unlike ordinary varieties, which can bear fruit for up to forty years, “dwarfs” live only 15-20. But in this period you can collect as many apples as an adult tree would produce in half a century. In addition, the gardener will be able to change the varieties of apples on his plot more often.
- In conditions of little snow but frosty winter rootslocated close to the surface, may freeze. To prevent this from happening, the soil around the “dwarf” trunk is insulated, mulched or covered with agrofibre.
- Since short roots will not be able to get food from the bowels of the earth, A dwarf apple tree will have to be watered more often and fertilized better.
- A lot of ovaries are formed on the “dwarfs”; a fragile tree cannot always grow such a quantity of full-fledged and tasty fruits. That's why It is recommended to thin out the inflorescences, cutting off some of them in the spring.
- Under the weight of large apples, a dwarf tree can easily break, so need supports, trellises, arches.
There is nothing ideal in the world; the owner of a dwarf garden must learn to neutralize all unfavorable factors. Dwarf apple trees are indeed capable of producing more abundant harvests; the fruits on these trees can be very large and not inferior in taste to ordinary ones, but for this the gardener must work hard.
How to choose a variety
The first question that arises for a novice gardener is: “Which varieties of apple trees are dwarf and which are not?” And here a detailed explanation is needed.
The fact is that absolutely any variety of apple can be grown on a dwarf rootstock.That is, having a special rootstock, the gardener grafts his favorite variety onto it, and enjoys the taste of the fruit and the small dimensions of the tree itself.
In the same time In modern breeding, there are already about ten thousand dwarf varieties of apple trees, which, when planted by the root method, will not grow more than one or two or three meters (the height depends on the variety).
Those who have no experience in grafting usually purchase varietal or natural dwarfs. Experienced gardeners can easily plant a special dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock, and then graft any apple tree onto it.
Varietal "dwarfs"
Description of varieties Natural dwarf apple trees should start with their classification. Like all other crops, they are divided according to the timing of apple ripening: early ripening (summer), mid-ripening (autumn) and late ripening (winter).
Among them there are sweet varieties of dwarf apple trees, sweet and sour, sour - that is, the taste of the fruit has the same classification as that of ordinary tall apple trees.
Melba
One of the most productive dwarf varieties. This apple tree usually grows no more than three meters in height. The apples themselves are round, slightly elongated, colored green, with blush visible on one side. The fruits are medium in size, weighing 200-250 grams.
Melba – a summer variety, apples ripen in early August. Their flesh is juicy, tender, and very tasty. The fruits can be stored for a maximum of three months.
The winter hardiness of the dwarf apple tree is average; it is better to insulate the roots. The yield is up to 40 kg per plant.
Wonderful
The “dwarf”, common in Russia, grows to a maximum of 280 cm. The fruits weigh about 150 grams, are yellow, round, with noticeable ribbing and a crimson blush. The taste of apples is sweet and sour, the flesh is fine-grained and juicy.
The dwarf apple tree bears fruit in late summer - early autumn. Stored apple varieties Wonderful for about two months. From each tree you can collect up to 75 kg of fruit.
The dwarf variety has very good resistance to scab and tolerates severe frosts without shelter.
Zhigulevskoe
This dwarf variety is an autumn apple tree with good yield. The tree grows up to two to three meters and can produce about 120 kg of apples per season.
The fruits are round, colored coral-red, and quite large - the average weight is 230 grams. The pulp is juicy, coarse-grained, tender, and tastes sweet and sour. The fruits are stored for about six months.
The Zhigulevsky apple has good resistance to pests, diseases, and frost.
Bratchud
Short name for "Brother Wonderful", another natural (or natural) "dwarf". This dwarf apple tree is suitable for growing in any climate and on almost any soil. The crown of the tree is rounded and flat, it grows up to two meters.
The apples are medium-sized, greenish-yellow with a crimson blush. A distinctive feature of the fruit is a stripe-seam on the peel.The pulp is white, pleasant to the taste, not very juicy. But the Bratchud variety is very productive, the fruits tolerate transportation well and are suitable for storage.
Carpet
An autumn variety of dwarf apple trees, the tree reaches a height of 1.5-2 meters, its crown is drooping. Kovrovoe begins to bear fruit in the third or fourth year after planting.
The fruits are large, greenish-yellow, with a ruddy side. The pulp is cream-colored, not very juicy, pleasant to the taste, sweet and sour, aromatic. The harvest can be stored for up to two months.
The variety is very productive and tolerates frost well. In very snowy winters, the horizontally located lower branches of a dwarf apple tree may break off.
Legend
The variety is considered an early winter variety - the fruits ripen in early October. The crown of the dwarf apple tree is spherical, the height of the tree is a maximum of three meters. The shoots are short, heavily leafy.
The fruits are slightly ribbed, large, and have the shape of a truncated cone. When ripe, apples are red in color. The pulp is white, juicy, with a strong aroma and a very pleasant taste.
The dwarf variety Legend is resistant to diseases and pests and has good winter hardiness.
Moscow red
A very productive winter variety of dwarf apple trees. The tree is compact (maximum height is three meters), its crown has the shape of a ball.
The fruits are round, smooth, shiny. When ripe, the apples are colored a rich yellow color, with a red blush on the side of the apple. The taste is good, sweet and sour, the aroma is strong. Apples can be stored for up to four months.
The Moscow Red variety resists scab and other diseases very well - the leaves and fruits always look beautiful and healthy.
Review of "dwarfs"
Conclusion
Dwarf apple trees They are just gaining popularity in Russia; not all gardeners know how to grow such trees. But photo of compact apple trees, hung with large fruits, cannot leave anyone indifferent. It is better to start your experience with “dwarfs” with root seedlings of a natural variety, but finding them is quite difficult.
