Content
Columnar apple tree Scarlet Sails (Alie Parusa) is one of the promising varieties of fruit trees. The main advantage of the variety is early fruiting and abundant fruiting, despite its small growth. During the ripening period, the tree is strewn with fruits, like garlands. Therefore, the variety is often grown not only for producing apples and decorating the plot.
History of selection
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” was bred in Crimea by the candidate of agricultural sciences, breeder Mikhail Vitalievich Kachalkin. Recorded under number 1-190. In addition to the “Scarlet Sails” species, he is the author of 13 more columnar varieties. In the State Register of Ukraine since 1994.
Description of the columnar apple tree variety Scarlet Sails with photo
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails”, as a rule, grows with one trunk up to 2-2.5 m. Growth vigor is average. Flowering lasts 1 week, fruit shedding is low.
Suitable for cultivation on private farms and on an industrial scale.
The tree is medium-sized. Internodes are short, side branches are small or absent at all. The leaves are large, light green. Shoot with thick, dense skin.
The first columnar varieties of apple trees appeared in the sixties of the last century
Appearance of fruit and tree
Apples are bright red. The variety is considered large-fruited; one specimen can reach from 0.16 to 0.25 kg. The shape is round. The peel of the fruit is dense, inside the apples are white, juicy and grainy. With a pleasant aroma. There are few seeds.
Lifespan
On average, columnar apple tree varieties live and bear fruit for no more than 15 years. Therefore, plantings need to be renewed every few years.
Taste
The taste of columnar apple trees depends on weather conditions and the moment of consumption. They are called sweet and sour based on taste. Apples for dessert purposes. On average, fruits are rated 4-4.5 points.
Growing regions
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” has proven itself best in the southern regions of Ukraine and Crimea. Suitable for planting in gardens in central Russia.
Productivity
On average, one young columnar tree of the “Scarlet Sails” variety produces 3 kg of fruit. With age, the productivity of the apple tree increases. By 5-6 years it is 7-8 kg.
In landscape design, columnar varieties of apple trees are used to create hedges.
Frost resistance
According to the producers, the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” is suitable for growing in the central part of Russia. Tolerates cold temperatures down to -45 °C.But sometimes sub-zero temperatures after a thaw are detrimental to the plant. During returning frosts, a columnar apple tree can freeze already at -24 °C.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The “Scarlet Sails” variety is noted to be resistant to scab. Gardeners have also noticed immunity to powdery mildew.
Flowering period and ripening period
A distinctive feature of all columnar apple trees is their precociousness. Most varieties begin to bear fruit after 2-3 years of planting. Subsequently, fruits are formed annually. The first ripe apples appear at the end of the calendar summer or beginning of autumn.
Fruit trees with a columnar crown are afraid of frost
Pollinators
Varieties such as Melba, Prime Gold, and Vista Bella can serve as pollinators for apples of the “Scarlet Sails” variety. As well as varieties “Mantet” and “Gala Mast”.
Transportation and keeping quality
The fruits of columnar apple trees “Scarlet Sails” can be transported over long distances. They are stored in the cellar until the cold weather begins. In the refrigerator - until mid-winter. During long-term storage, the pulp may turn pinkish.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other crop, the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” has its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of the variety | Disadvantages of the variety |
Long shelf life - up to three months
| Expensive planting material per unit of space
|
Decorative and compact
| Increased demands |
Easy to eat fruits
| Freezing |
Small planting area |
|
Precociousness |
|
Good taste |
|
How to properly plant a columnar apple tree Scarlet Sails
In the central part of Russia, spring planting of columnar apple tree varieties begins after the soil freezes and continues until the first days of May. Autumn planting is more preferable, which is carried out from October 1 to October 20.
The color of the fruits of the Scarlet Sails variety can vary from pinkish to bright red
Selection of seedlings
Agronomists recommend buying columnar seedlings only in places specially designated for this. When purchasing a Scarlet Sails apple tree, special care must be taken. According to breeders, 90% of seedlings of the columnar variety were obtained by unscrupulous producers and do not have the varietal qualities characteristic of it.
“Scarlet Sails” should be grown on dwarf and superdwarf rootstocks. But producers do not want to grow trees on dwarf rootstocks, as this results in unattractive seedlings. They have a small height and an unbranched root system. Therefore, trees growing on medium-sized and seedling rootstocks are more often found on sale. Such an apple tree is characterized by poor fruiting and in most cases does not meet the expectations of gardeners.
Contrary to existing opinion, it is recommended to buy young plants with an open root system and plant them immediately in a permanent place.
During transportation, the roots are covered with a wet cloth and placed in a plastic bag. Before planting, soak for 12 hours in water or for 3-6 hours in a solution of a root formation stimulator.
It is recommended to purchase planting material for the garden from nurseries.
Landing rules
To plant the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails”, choose the lightest area in the garden. Otherwise, the flower bud will not form. Groundwater should not be higher than 1 m from ground level.
The planting hole is dug according to the size of the roots of the seedling. Excessively long - shortened. For better survival, it is recommended to dip them in a clay mash before planting.
The pit for planting the variety must be well drained and contain a large amount of nutrients. You can use crushed stone or any other small stone as drainage. When planting seedlings, it is best to fill the hole with a mixture of peat, garden soil and humus in a 1:1:1 ratio. Add 100 g of superphosphate and wood ash. After planting, compact the soil thoroughly.
The same variety is planted in a row, since seedlings may have different growth vigor. The taller variety will overtake the shorter variety, and as a result, some columnar apple trees will remain in the shade.
The small height and compactness of their crown allows columnar varieties of apple trees to be planted very densely. Even when plants are close together, they do not shade each other. Breeders working on breeding this variety of fruit crop recommend leaving a distance of 30-50 cm between bushes, and up to 1 m in rows.
Columnar varieties of apple trees can be planted close to each other
Growing and care
The “Scarlet Sails” variety requires special attention. The root system of columnar varieties is less branched, so they need more frequent watering and fertilizing. You need to moisten the soil as it dries. Apply fertilizers at least 4 times per season. The year of planting is also no exception.
Feeding begins at the end of July. Add superphosphate 40 g/10 l of water and 0.5 l of wood ash. Subsequently, the procedure is repeated once a month until mid-October. In the autumn, nitrogen fertilizers are excluded.
Due to its compactness, pruning of a columnar apple tree is practically not required. The need to remove side shoots usually appears when the upper bud dies. If it does not have time to ripen and the plant freezes, the tree begins to put out side branches and loses its columnar shape. Therefore, these new shoots must be pruned in early spring.
To avoid freezing, a columnar tree can be wrapped in several layers of covering material for the winter.
To get a good harvest, apple trees need to be fed periodically.
Collection and storage
The first red fruits of the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” can be harvested in the second half of August. Full ripening of apples usually occurs in September or October. Picked fruits are stored in a cool, dark place.
Conclusion
The columnar apple tree Scarlet Sails is a small tree that bears fruit already in the 2-3rd year of planting. Unlike other varieties, the crown is compact and allows you to plant many plants even in a small area. Trees are used in landscape design for planting along paths and fences; they require care.
Reviews
