Content
A compact, high-yielding, undemanding variety has won the hearts of many gardeners. Let's see what's good about it and whether it has any disadvantages.
History of selection
The variety was developed back in 1974, but for a long time it was known in a small circle. Obtained from crossing the varieties Vozhak, compact columnar, and Obilnoe, by domestic breeder I. I. Kichina.
Description of the variety and characteristics
The President variety is recommended for cultivation in Samara, Moscow and other regions.
Mature tree height
The variety belongs to semi-dwarf trees; the height of a five-year-old plant does not exceed 2 meters. With an average level of agricultural technology it grows to 1.70 - 1.80 cm.
Fruit
The fruits are large, less often - medium. The weight of one President apple is from 120 to 250 grams. The peel is thin, medium density. Keeping quality is low.At temperatures above 15 degrees, signs of wilting appear after a month. When stored at a stable temperature of 5-6 degrees, the shelf life increases to 3 months.
The color of the apple is yellow-green with a characteristic blush. The fruits have an ellipsoid shape.
Productivity
The average yield is 10 kg per tree. Fruiting columnar apple tree The President variety is very dependent on the level of care for the plant. When using intensive agricultural technology, you can get up to 16 kg of selected fruits.
Winter hardiness
The resistance of the columnar apple tree of the President variety to sub-zero temperatures is low. Freezing of shoots, including the apical one, is possible. When the soil freezes at a depth of more than 20 cm, the root system may die.
Frostbites pose a particular danger to the President columnar apple tree. If the bark is damaged, the tree may become infected with fungal diseases. It is necessary to treat the cracks as quickly as possible; it is advisable to add a systemic fungicide to the mixture.
Disease resistance
If all agricultural technology requirements are met, trees of this variety easily resist disease. With any errors in care, immunity is significantly reduced.
Crown width
The crown of the President apple tree is not wide, up to 30 cm. The foliage is high.
Self-fertility
The President apple tree does not require any special pollinators to produce fruit. However, trees surrounded by related crops are believed to produce greater yields.
Frequency of fruiting
Weakly expressed. As a rule, the columnar apple tree of the President variety bears fruit annually.
Tasting assessment
The apple pulp is fine-grained and juicy. The taste is sweet and sour, pronounced. The aroma is strong, characteristic of the variety.Tasters rate this apple quite highly, up to 4.7 points.
Landing
Before planting, you need to know the soil characteristics and groundwater level. Neutral, well-drained soil is suitable for growing the President columnar apple tree. Acidic soil must be deoxidized using dolomite flour. Apple trees are not planted in places with high groundwater levels. Elevated sunny areas well protected from the wind are suitable for planting. The tree easily tolerates slight shading.
The root system of the President columnar apple tree is small, so when planting, carefully prepare the planting hole. A depth of 60 cm is sufficient; it is advisable to dig at least 70 cm wide. The excavated soil is crushed, compost, rotted manure, and sand, if necessary, are added. The amount of additives depends on the soil. In heavy clay soil, pour a bucket of sand; sandy soil does not require such an additive.
A seedling of the columnar apple tree President is placed in a hole, held in weight, and carefully covered. The location of the root collar must be at least 10 cm above ground level; it cannot be buried. After planting, pour it generously, at least 2 buckets into each hole.
in autumn
Autumn planting begins, focusing on the beginning of leaf fall. Small frosts will not prevent the President apple tree from recovering in a new place; a dry autumn can pose a danger. If there is no rain, the apple tree is watered generously every 3 days.
in spring
Spring planting of apple trees begins after the soil has completely thawed. If necessary, you can speed up the process by covering the hole with black material, for example, agrofibre.
Care
A lot depends on proper agricultural technology - the health of the tree and the future harvest.These requirements should not be neglected; you may lose a valuable garden crop.
Watering and fertilizing
The President apple tree requires regular watering, in spring and autumn at least once a week. Particular attention should be paid during flowering and the formation of ovaries; the amount of watering is increased to 2 times a week. Summer watering depends on the amount of precipitation; the apple tree will need additional moisture 5 days after heavy rain. It is not worth watering more often; excess water reduces the supply of oxygen to the root system.
Very good results are obtained when using drip irrigation systems in combination with soil mulching. Stable humidity stimulates plant development and promotes good yield.
Fertilizer application begins in the second year of the apple tree’s life, from the beginning of the growing season. Immediately after the snow melts, saltpeter, dry or diluted, is added to the root circle. Usually a tablespoon of fertilizer is used per tree; for some manufacturers, the recommended dose may differ slightly.
The second application is carried out if necessary after the green mass begins to grow. Leaves that are too light, especially with yellowness, may indicate a lack of phosphorus. You can use any complex fertilizer containing this microelement.
Before the Presidential columnar apple tree blooms, potash fertilizers must be applied. Potassium improves the general condition of the plant and increases the number of ovaries.The second time this fertilizer is added during fruit ripening. It has been proven that an increased amount of potassium stimulates the formation of sugars in fruits.
In the autumn, when preparing the tree for wintering, a fertilizer complex that does not contain nitrogen is applied.
Preventative spraying
A healthy tree needs 3 sprays during the growing season. If the tree itself or neighboring plants show signs of disease, the number of treatments increases.
The first treatment of the President columnar apple tree is carried out in the spring, before green buds appear. It is necessary to destroy fungal spores that could overwinter on the bark. To do this, you can use Bordeaux mixture or other fungicides.
After the first leaves appear, a second treatment is carried out using systemic fungicides and insecticides.
The last treatment of the columnar apple tree of the President variety is carried out in the fall, after the end of leaf fall. The tree is sprayed with contact fungicides.
Trimming
The President apple tree does not need formative pruning; sanitary pruning is sufficient. In spring, dry or damaged branches are removed, and thin and poorly developed ones are also removed. If several branches grow in the same direction and can compete, leave the strongest one and remove the rest.
Shelter for the winter
The winter hardiness of the President columnar apple tree is relatively high, but even in the southern regions it is advisable to make a shelter to avoid the appearance of frost damage.Under normal conditions, it is enough to tie the trunk with agrofibre and fill the root area with 2 - 3 buckets of humus.
In colder regions, spruce branches or other insulating material are fixed on top of the agrofibre. The snow around the trees must be trampled down several times to avoid damage by rodents. Also, to protect against pests, it is advisable to leave the treated grain in the access zone of rodents.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The undoubted advantages of the President columnar apple tree include productivity, excellent taste characteristics, and stable fruiting. Disadvantages include poor resistance to drought and low shelf life of fruits.
Pests and diseases
With regular preventative spraying, diseases and pests rarely plague the columnar apple tree President, but it is still necessary to know the signs of the most common problems.
Scab
A fungal disease that attacks young shoots. It is characterized by the appearance of green spots of various shades, which gradually darken.
Powdery mildew
Fungal disease. Whitish spots appear on the leaves and bark.
Bacterial burn
The disease is caused by bacteria that develop intensively in the warm, humid season. Tree branches darken, gradually acquiring a black color.
Aphid
A small, translucent insect that sucks sap and nutrients from young parts of the tree.
Mite
A very small insect. The appearance can be noticed by convex areas on the leaves and fruits of the apple tree. The affected parts turn black over time.
Conclusion
Of course, the President columnar apple tree is a promising inhabitant of the garden plot, but in order to enjoy the fruits longer, it is still worth planting several other varieties.
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