Content
The Dream apple tree is a well-known variety that bears fruit in late summer. To obtain a high yield, choose a suitable place for planting and regularly care for the tree.
History of selection
The Mechta variety apple tree was bred by the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture named after. I. V. Michurina. Parent varieties: early ripening Pepin saffron and winter Papirovka. The Dream variety has become widespread in the central region of Russia.
Description of the variety and characteristics with photos
The Dream apple tree is a popular summer variety that produces a harvest before the onset of autumn. Apples have good commercial and taste qualities.
Mature tree height
The apple tree has medium dimensions and reaches a height of 2.5 m. Rarely do trees grow higher than 3-4 m. The trunk of the apple tree is straight and strong, the growth force is average. The bark is reddish-gray, young branches are greenish-brown.
Fruit
Apples of the Mechta variety are medium and large in size. Average fruit weight is from 140 to 150 g.Apples gain maximum weight when growing seedlings on a dwarf rootstock.
The fruits are one-dimensional and have a round shape. The color is greenish-yellow. Under the sun's rays, a pink blush appears in the form of strokes. The pulp of Mechta apples is white with a pinkish tint, loose, with a weak aroma.
Productivity
The average yield of the Mechta variety is 120 g of fruit from each tree. With good agricultural technology, up to 150 kg of apples are harvested. The harvest is stored in cool conditions for no more than 1-2 months.
Winter hardiness
The Dream variety has good winter hardiness. The apple tree tolerates cold winters without additional shelter.
Disease resistance
The Dream apple tree is little susceptible to fungal and viral diseases. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to carry out regular spraying.
Crown width
The Dream apple tree has a spreading crown, about 1 m wide, with a round-conical shape. Regular pruning of the tree helps to give the desired shape to the crown. The shoots are heavily leafy. The leaves are large with a matte surface.
Pollinators
The Dream variety is not self-fertile. To obtain a harvest, pollinators must be planted within a radius of no more than 40-50 m from the tree.
As pollinators, choose varieties that bloom at the same time as Mechta: Melba, Antonovka, Borovinka, etc.
Frequency of fruiting
Fruiting of the Dream apple tree begins in the 4th year. Under favorable conditions, the first harvest can be harvested 2 years after planting.
Yields are affected by weather conditions and agricultural technology. After a cold winter or during a drought, fewer apples are harvested than in more favorable years.
Tasting assessment
Apples of the Mechta variety are characterized by a sweet and sour taste. The tasting properties are rated 4.5 out of 5.Apples are suitable for the daily diet, making juices, jams and other types of processing.
Landing
The place for growing the Dream apple tree is prepared in advance. If necessary, change the top layer of soil and begin digging a hole. Work is carried out in autumn or spring.
Selecting a location, preparing the pit
A seedling of the Dream variety is planted in a sunny place, protected from the wind. The apple tree grows well in light, fertile soils.
3-4 weeks before planting, dig a hole. The optimal diameter is 50 cm, depth is from 60 cm, depending on the size of the root system.
Sand is added to the clay soil, and a drainage layer of expanded clay or crushed stone is installed at the bottom of the pit. Any type of soil is fertilized with humus and wood ash.
in autumn
The Dream apple tree is planted in the fall, in September or October after leaf fall. Before the start of winter, the seedling will have time to adapt to new conditions.
When planting in autumn, it is not recommended to apply nitrogen-based fertilizers to the soil. Otherwise, the buds will swell before the winter cold.
in spring
Spring planting is carried out after the snow has melted and the soil has warmed up. It is important to plant the apple tree before the sap begins to flow.
It is better to prepare the planting hole in the fall so that the soil shrinks. After planting, the seedling is watered with a solution of any complex fertilizer.
Care
The productivity of the Dream variety largely depends on care. The apple tree needs watering, fertilizing and pruning. Preventive treatments help protect the tree from diseases and pests.
Watering and fertilizing
In spring and summer, the young tree is watered every week. A bucket of water is poured under each apple tree. In drought, the volume of moisture is increased to 2-3 buckets.After watering, the soil is mulched with compost or humus, and dry grass or straw is poured on top.
Mature trees are watered at flowering and at the beginning of fruiting. At the end of summer and autumn, the application of moisture is stopped so as not to cause excessive growth of shoots.
Fertilizing the Dream apple tree is carried out according to the following scheme:
- in the end of April;
- before flowering begins;
- during fruit formation;
- autumn harvest.
For the first feeding, use 0.5 kg of urea. Fertilizer is scattered within the tree trunk circle. Urea promotes shoot growth.
Before flowering, the apple tree is fed with complex fertilizer. To 10 liters of water add 40 g of potassium sulfate and 50 g of superphosphate. The solution is watered at the root of the tree.
The third feeding provides the Dream apple tree with useful substances necessary for fruiting. 1 g of sodium humate and 50 g of nitrophoska are dissolved in a 10 liter bucket. The solution is used to water the apple tree.
The last feeding helps the trees recover after fruiting. Wood ash is embedded in the soil. Of the mineral substances, 200 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used.
Preventative spraying
To protect the Dream apple tree from diseases and pests, preventive treatments are required. The first procedure is performed in early spring before the buds swell. Add 700 g of urea to a bucket of water. The solution is watered onto the soil in the tree trunk circle and sprayed onto the branches of the trees.
After flowering, the Dream apple tree is treated with Karbofos or Actellik insecticides. To prevent fungal diseases, copper-based preparations are used. Spraying is repeated in late autumn after harvesting.
Trimming
Thanks to pruning, the crown of the Dream apple tree is formed and the yield increases. Pruning is carried out early before the buds swell or in the fall after leaf fall. The sections are treated with garden varnish. In summer, remove dry branches and leaves that cover the apples from the sun.
Full pruning begins at the 2-3rd year of the apple tree’s life. The shoots are shortened and 2/3 of the total length is left. Shoots growing inside the tree are also eliminated. With this treatment, a five-year-old apple tree will form a crown that does not require further pruning.
Shelter for the winter, protection from rodents
The trunks of young trees are covered with spruce branches in the fall to protect them from rodents. In an adult apple tree, the trunk is treated with a lime solution.
The Dream variety tolerates winter frosts well. For additional protection, pre-winter watering is carried out and the tree trunks are spudded. The soil in the tree trunk circle is mulched with humus.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of the Dream apple tree:
- marketability and taste qualities of fruits;
- good yield;
- early fruiting of the variety;
- resistance to winter frosts.
The disadvantages of the Dream variety are:
- the need to plant a pollinator;
- limited storage period for fruits;
- unstable fruiting;
- Apples are prone to cracking in high humidity.
Prevention and protection from diseases and pests
The main diseases of the apple tree are:
- Fruit rot. The disease manifests itself in the form of brown spots that appear on the fruit. As a result, crop loss occurs. Against fruit rot, preventive spraying of the apple tree is carried out with Bordeaux mixture or a solution of the drug Horus.
- Powdery mildew. It has the appearance of a white-gray coating that appears on leaves, shoots and buds. Gradually the leaves turn yellow and fall off.The preparations Topaz or Skor, which contain copper, help against powdery mildew.
- Scab. The presence of a lesion is indicated by a brown coating on the leaves of the apple tree. The disease spreads to the fruits, on which gray spots and cracks appear. To protect the apple tree, fungicides are sprayed with Horus, Fitolavin, Fitosporin.
- Rust. The lesion appears on the leaves and appears as brown spots with black spots. The fungus spreads to shoots and fruits. A solution of copper oxychloride is used against rust.
The apple tree is attacked by many pests:
- Aphid. Insects quickly spread throughout the garden and feed on plant sap.
- Fruit mite. The pest sucks the juices from the leaves of the apple tree, as a result of which its immunity to diseases and cold snaps is reduced.
- Codling moth. It feeds on apple pulp, spreads quickly and leads to the death of up to 2/3 of the crop.
Insecticides are used against insects. Spraying is carried out in spring and summer. All treatments are stopped 3-4 weeks before harvesting.
Conclusion
Apple tree Dream is a time-tested variety. Dream apples are not suitable for long-term storage, so it is better to use them for home canning or include them in the summer diet.
Reviews
