Memory Michurin, apple tree: description, cultivation
Content:
The article presents Memory Michurin, an apple tree: a description, a complete overview of all characteristics, a guide to planting, growing, care, protection.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: description, main information about the variety
Memory Michurin, apple tree
For eighty years now, this variety has continued to delight gardeners with its highest quality, which, by the way, is not such a rarity among apple trees. If you pay attention, you can notice that most of the varieties that still remain on the pedestal of popularity were created a long time ago.
However, it is not age that paints this apple tree, but its exceptional positive qualities, such as a wonderful aroma and, of course, taste, wonderful marketable qualities, as well as keeping quality, resistance to transportation.
In addition, over the years, apples of this variety have become not only widespread, but also an extremely wide range of applications: they are used both for making compotes and juices jams, and for sale. However, they are also great for eating raw.
Simply put, this is a truly legendary variety, which really deservedly gained its popularity, and therefore in this article we invite you to consider in detail the features of its structure, as well as the care of this unique tree.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: variety description
Memory Michurin, apple tree
First of all, it should be noted that this variety is a representative of a rather eminent species, many of which are very common and respected varieties.
Trees of completely different varieties belonging to this species were used to breed the apple tree we are considering, and therefore, together with the pollen of these trees, she absorbed their strengths, for which she is now loved.
By the way, the name of this variety is also quite legendary. You are probably used to the fact that most varieties are named after their creators, but Michurin's memory was named after the Research University of Agrarian Sciences, in which the discovery was made. It was led by the famous breeder S.I. Isaev.
This plant is medium-sized, but sometimes - in fair weather - its size may exceed the average. As for the crown, here it is certainly more than average. Its shape is a rather neat and regular sphere, which has a large diameter, even in comparison with the rest of the tree.
The bark at the base of the tree is dark brown. However, as it grows older, it becomes dimmer and dimmer, and therefore, the older the tree, the more grayish it seems.
The shoots of the tree are quite long and also numerous. They, like the bark of the trunk, are colored dark brown, and there is also a slight pubescence on them.
the leaves, like most representatives of fruit trees, have an ovoid shape, which is slightly pointed at the ends. On the sides, very weak serration is observed.
The surface of the sheet plate, in turn, is especially smooth and even to some extent glossy. As for the petioles, thanks to which the leaves are attached to the shoots, they are quite strong and oblong, due to which the loss of foliage during severe weather is minimal.
It would seem that the tree is quite similar to a completely ordinary average apple tree. However, it has a couple of features. The most important of these is the incredible size of flowers that bloom in numerous inflorescences, and also attract strong attention during the flowering period. By the way, they even exude a distinct scent that makes gardening even more enjoyable.
After some time, the flowers turn into fruits, which can also be called the pride of this variety, since they differ not only in their taste, but also in excellent external qualities that make them ideal for implementation.
At the base of the peel of these fruits is a green tint, however, as they ripen, they gradually become covered with a red blush, which makes them colorful.
Also, the more ripe the apple, the stronger the green tint that covers it, appears to be yellow.
Another distinctive feature of this variety is the incredibly deep funnel, which forms where the fruit stem is attached to the fruit, which is subsequently attached directly to the tree.
Due to the depth it possesses, the stalk very firmly holds the apple on the shoot, preventing it from falling before ripening.
As for the numerical characteristics of these fruits, they can vary greatly, because this plant is grown throughout the country, and therefore the climatic conditions are different everywhere.
However, if we average all the values obtained, we can conclude that by growing this tree in our country, you will most likely get apples weighing approximately one hundred and forty to one hundred and thirty grams.
Nevertheless, if, of course, you believe the gardeners, then we can assume that in the regions most suitable for growing the variety, the mass of fruits can reach one hundred and fifty grams.
Apple tree in Memory of Michurin: description, photo, overview of the main characteristics
Apple tree in Memory of Michurin: description, photo
First of all, of course, I would like to mention the positive characteristics, since they are the decoration of this variety - its highlight.
First of all, it is very pleasing that the tree has almost ideal dimensions: it is large enough to accommodate a large number of massive and juicy apples, but still not too large to be completely inconvenient to work with.
Also, it should be noted that the tree perfectly resists prolonged droughts. This tree copes no less well with the real scourge of any fruit trees - with a disease called scab.
Speaking about the growth of an apple tree, one also cannot fail to mention how quickly it develops. This is also reflected in the fact that the tree is entering the age of active fruiting, which, of course, is only for the benefit of the gardener.
Well, lastly, we can also mention the commercial characteristics of the variety, which include its wonderful transportability, as well as rather long storage.
However, this plant also has disadvantages, which, however, is quite obvious, since absolutely everyone has them. Such disadvantages include the fact that the tree has an extremely weak resistance to frost, as well as a voluminous crown, which takes a long time and with difficulty to form.
Dimensions of an adult tree
As already mentioned, this plant differs in that it does not have impressive dimensions, which, however, is only a plus for it. Even if the crown of the tree is not taken care of or formed in any way, the apple tree will not grow more than four meters.
Nevertheless, if you still take care of pruning, then you will definitely be able to make the plant a whole meter smaller, which will not change its fruiting in any way, and therefore you will receive the same harvest, while caring for the apple tree will become several times simpler.
Frequency of fruiting
In principle, it should be noted that in this regard, this apple variety shows especially good results, since its fruits ripen regularly and practically without any failures.
Nevertheless, of course, there are also unforeseen situations when the tree needs a rest from fruiting. However, even here the discussed apple tree shows excellent results, since it does not completely lose its fruits, even in its most unfortunate years, but loses only a small percentage of them, which you may not even notice.
Yield
Throughout the article, we talked about the fact that this variety is especially productive. However, no exact figures were given. So, perhaps they will pleasantly surprise you.
The fact is that the plant can well bear up to ninety kilograms of fruit, which, given its small size, should be considered an incredibly good result.
However, of course, in order to achieve such a yield, you will have to try hard, carefully observing agricultural techniques and following all the rules for caring for the plant.
Tasting assessment
As you already know, it is for its astonishing tasting qualities that this variety still remains at the top. After all, it is for the sake of apples that we grow apple trees. So, there are apples at the tree under discussion.
Their biggest advantage is, of course, a great palette of taste, which includes both sour and sweet notes. However, the tasters we interviewed claim that apples are much more sweet than acid.
This is confirmed by scientific facts, which claim that in some years the sugar content per one hundred grams of pulp can reach twenty-seven percent.
As for the tasting assessment itself, it is, as expected, at its best. On average, the grade is given from four and seven tenths to four and eight tenths points.
What winter hardiness does Memory Michurin have, an apple tree
As you can remember, this quality in the trees of the discussed variety is developed at a rather low level, and therefore, when grown in cold regions, the tree will have to be heavily insulated, since otherwise it may simply die.
However, if you live in the central or southern regions, then you have nothing to fear, since there the tree feels absolutely normal.
Disease resistance
In fact, the advantages of this variety include the fact that it has outstanding immunity. Weak diseases do not do any harm to the tree at all, since they do not have time to do this.
However, ailments such as powdery mildew can be troublesome. It is to this disease that the tree has average resistance. Nevertheless, it resists scab just fine, well, it is quite possible to fight powdery mildew with prophylactic methods, and not at all letting the plant get sick.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: reviews of gardeners
Of course, no matter how colorful our stories are, those people who have worked with it and have their own ideas will be able to tell much better about the variety.
We interviewed several of these gardeners and, as expected, they also praised this tree.
Lyudmila Petrovna
“I have been growing this variety in my garden for more than a dozen years and I must say that during all this time it was he who fed our family.
Our field is quite large, and given the wonderful yield of this apple tree, we collect a huge amount of fruits. Some are sold, some are processed, and some are given to our children and grandchildren. They just love these apple trees.
And, most importantly, over all these years, the variety has never let us down. Yes, of course, there were completely unfortunate seasons, when the weather did not want to calm down, but the tree nevertheless continued to regularly bring apples, for which we should be grateful.
Now we are growing the second generation, and soon the time will come to plant the third. Of course, I would like to experiment with other varieties, but it seems to me that this apple tree is true to us, and therefore we must be true to it. "
Marina
In memory of Michurin, the apple tree grew in the garden of my parents, and since childhood I adored this variety. My father always told me that one day I would take care of these trees, and now, apparently, the time has come.
In fact, taking care of the garden brings me satisfaction anyway, but with these apple trees everything is much more pleasant. They get sick a little, their crowns are very obedient, and they are also unpretentious in care. In addition, without even requiring close supervision, they simply bloom amazingly, decorating our entire site.
Well, the apples themselves, of course, are simply delicious. In cold winters, it is they who save our entire family from constant diseases. Hopefully, when my children grow up, they will also look after our garden. "
Vladimir Ilyich
“I think about thirty years ago I first planted this tree in my garden. Neighbors recommended it to me, since I was a complete zero in gardening and knew absolutely nothing. They said that with this tree I will quickly figure out what's what. And I really figured it out.
Therefore, I should thank this variety not only for bringing me delicious apples for so long, but also for instilling in me a love for the variety that still lives in me.
Of course, there were also troubles. At first, for example, I did not like working with the crown of a tree at all. But when I saw what a huge effect this would have in the future, my laziness vanished as if by hand: I took the pruner and started pruning.
I recommend the tree to everyone: especially to beginners like myself thirty years ago. Believe me, no other variety will make you fall in love with it as much as the memory of Michurin. "
Planting basics
As noted in one of the reviews you just read, the tree is ideal for beginners. The fact is that it does not have absolutely any complex nuances of planting and care, and therefore, looking after it, you can learn absolutely all the basics of gardening skills.
Landing
The life of any tree begins with this procedure, and therefore it is incredibly important to carry it out as correctly as possible, because it is not for nothing that many professionals argue that it is in planting that at least half of the plant's success lies.
Timing
First of all, you will have to choose the right time for the procedure. It most often falls in the spring. By the way, it is at this time of the year that most of the most important garden procedures are carried out.
If you want to hear more specifics, then in no case should the landing be carried out until the weather has calmed down, and therefore you should beware of recurrent frosts.
However, planting is also carried out before the start of the active movement of juices, and therefore the most optimal option for you will be May, or, to be more precise, its first decade.
However, if it was not possible to plant a tree in the spring, then it is absolutely not necessary to wait a whole year: it can be done in the very same season. In the end, there are not so many disadvantages of autumn planting, and therefore they can be considered practically insignificant. The only difference is that spring is simply more convenient, and therefore it is preferable.
Choosing a landing site
First of all, it should be mentioned that if there is groundwater under the planting site of your plant, you should take this into account when adjusting the schedule and abundance of watering.
The deeper they are, the correspondingly more water you will have to spend on moisturizing the apple trees.
You also need to watch out for other factors, such as, for example, lighting, which is an integral part of the life of any plant. There should really be a lot of sun, since it is from it with its spreading crown that the plant receives most of its energy for growth.
As for the factors that must be avoided: these include winds and drafts, since they can not only damage, but also simply kill your plant, the immunity of which does not resist them well.
Especially protection from winds is relevant in winter, and therefore a wall or a house must always be near your tree.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: planting technology
Now that you know exactly when you will plant your apple tree, you can begin to analyze the instructions for a successful planting. However, it should be said that it is not so difficult to carry out it, and therefore, regardless of the level of your abilities, you will definitely be able to do it.
The first thing you have to do is prepare the landing pit. Its size can vary depending on what type of soil on your site, what size seedling you purchased, as well as the amount of groundwater under your garden.
However, in most cases, deviations from the norm will not be critical at all, and therefore the pit can always be made 80 by 80 by 60 centimeters in size.
After that, the following manipulations are carried out: first you need to fill the hole by about a third. For this, exclusively fertile soil is used, which, before the procedure, was fertilized with humus, as well as mineral complex dressings.
The second third is covered with ordinary soil. By the way, adding it, it is advisable to form a small hill, since it will subsequently be very convenient to plant a tree on it, straightening all its roots.
However, before that, the root system of the tree must be very carefully examined. You must make sure that you do not plant a plant in the ground that is infected with fungus or has any physical damage to the rhizome.
It is also advisable to slightly moisten the root system just before planting. After that, when you have already securely set the seedling on a previously prepared slide, you will need to make sure that the soil you fill up will not cover the root collar. At least five centimeters of its length must necessarily remain on the surface.
About half an hour after planting - when the soil has settled down a little - the very first watering of the plant is carried out, which includes no more than three buckets of settled water.
Now that all the main processes have been completed, it remains only to drive a small peg next to the seedling, which will be its support. The distance between the plant and the peg should be at least thirty centimeters.
Landing a garden
It is possible that you want to grow not one, but, for example, five trees of this variety. In this case, of course, you will have to follow some special rules, since two trees planted too close to each other can create a lot of hassle.
For example, the root systems of two trees can become tangled, causing intense competition for nutrients between the two plants, and their crowns interfere with each other's growth.
Therefore, in order to avoid this and give your plants not only freedom, but also convenience, it is advisable for you to adhere to the following rule: the distance between two trees should be at least four meters.
Growing and post-plant care
Of course, at planting, your caring for the plant does not end, since it constantly needs an eye and an eye for it. In the end, the apple tree will not grow itself, and therefore watering, weeding, feeding and pruning is, of course, necessary for it.
First of all, let's mention, perhaps, top dressing, since without it it will be quite difficult for an apple tree to survive the first few years of its life.
It is best to do them in spring or early summer, since it is at this time that the plant is most active.
What kind of feeding is carried out: intra-root or foliar - does not really matter, since the apple tree reacts positively to any nutrients.
However, top dressing isn't the only thing you need to pay attention to. No less important is the prevention of various diseases and pests, which may well completely destroy your crop. It is also advisable to spend it in the spring.
In addition, it is highly recommended to whitewash the plant during wintering, since this procedure allows you to get rid of rodents.
However, whitewashing is needed not only for this. The chain of its useful functions also includes protecting the plant from burns and cracking of the bark.
Autumn care mostly consists of harvesting as well as fallen leaves. And if everything is clear with the harvest, then with the leaves, perhaps, it is far from so obvious. The fact is that it is these small particles of the plant that are one of the most active carriers of many fungal diseases, and therefore, lying on the ground, they may well keep these diseases in it, so that with the next season the plant will definitely become infected.
Also in the fall, it is advisable to carry out a thorough mulching, which will help even your youngest seedling to survive the winter without any problems. Humus can be used as mulch.
How the Memory of Michurin is cut off, apple tree
This procedure is also an integral part of plant care, but we decided to take it out as a separate item, since pruning has a huge number of small nuances that need to be sorted out.
After observing the work of experienced gardeners, you will notice that they begin to prune the tree from its earliest years, since it is at this time that all the skeletal branches are formed, which, as a result, form the crown of the tree.
In addition, by carrying out the correct formative pruning, you can guarantee yourself an earlier arrival of the first harvest, as well as a significantly greater safety of the tree, since not a single branch of it will bend under the weight of its own fruits.
It would seem that since this process is carried out mainly by professionals, beginners can forget about it, but this is not at all the case. The fact is that, no matter how complicated the pruning procedure may seem, it is quite simple in its essence, and therefore should not cause you any difficulties, if you, of course, carefully read the instructions.
The discussed apple variety differs in that at an early age its branches are not only very flexible, but also extremely fast-growing, and therefore you will have to thin out on a regular basis. It consists not only in removing unnecessary new branches that strive to germinate, but also in shortening old ones.
It is the skeletal branches that are most often cut off, since the tree most often throws all its resources on them, because it considers them incredibly important for future reproduction.
However, formative pruning is not the only thing that you will be doing, as there is also sanitary pruning, which is of equal importance.
It is held in the middle of summer, as well as in the fall - before the onset of cold weather. This procedure consists in the fact that you must remove all damaged branches, as they can cause the appearance or further spread of the disease.
Pollination
Unfortunately, this variety has another significant drawback: it is self-fertile, and therefore, without a pollinator, it will not be able to produce such a large number of apples, which was indicated in this article.
However, despite this, planting a pollinator is not some kind of flour, as some novice gardeners think.In fact, this is another full-fledged tree that will also bear fruit and, perhaps, will fall in love with you as much as the Memory of Michurin.
However, you can easily do without planting a pollinator. Moreover, the number of fruits that you will receive at the same time will even increase. The secret lies in manual pollination, which has been gaining popularity lately.
However, if you have not yet mastered gardening at a sufficient level, we do not recommend that you take risks and carry out this procedure, as it is expensive and will not provide any result with insufficient experience.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: fruiting
As in the case of absolutely all fruit plants, this apple tree does not begin to yield immediately: first you need to wait from four (which is less likely) to five years.
Why is four years after landing so unlikely? The fact is that in order for your fruits to begin to ripen already in the fourth year of the plant's life, many unpredictable factors must converge, such as, for example, mostly good weather and high-quality feeding.
As for the ripening of fruits, it occurs around the end of September. However, it can drop at the beginning of October if the weather is unfavorable.
Storing apples
You remember that we mentioned that apples of this variety can be stored for a very long time, and this is true: if you adhere to all the established storage rules, then the apples will be able to lie right up to May, while retaining all their qualities.
However, the long-term storage of fruits is much more than anything else, depends on where you live. For example, if you are going to grow a plant in Volgograd, then, most likely, it will not be able to lie safe and sound for so long, and therefore the storage time will be limited exclusively to January, which, however, is also an excellent result.
On the other hand, if you live in an ideal climate for storing fruits, you can keep them right up to mid-summer, which increases the duration of their storage almost up to a year. Nevertheless, you must understand that by this time the fruits will no longer be as fresh and juicy as when harvested, and therefore it is still not recommended to pull until summer.
Memory Michurin, apple tree: growing in the regions
As you read this article, you may have noticed that a fairly large number of points in growing this tree have to do with where you live and what climatic conditions are maintained there. Therefore, we decided to highlight the most different climatic zones and show how exactly you should take care of the plant there.
First of all, it should be noted that the most suitable for the plant are the Central Black Earth regions, as well as the lower Volga region, since it was there that this tree was grown for the first time, and it is precisely to the conditions of these places that it is most adapted.
As for the Moscow region, here the winters are somewhat harsher than in the natural habitat of the tree, however, the difference is still not at all critical, and therefore even here the tree can be grown without any problems with insulation.
However, it is still better to mulch young seedlings well in order to surely protect their weak roots from the effects of the cold.
Unfortunately, it is not at all profitable to grow this tree in the Urals, since the frosts there are much stronger than in the Moscow region, and the variety, as you remember, cannot boast of the most powerful winter hardiness.
There are, of course, extreme gardeners who grow a tree on a dwarf rootstock and constantly insulate it, but it seems to us that it is much easier to buy some other variety, more suitable for cold conditions.
Conclusion
Memory Michurin, despite some of its shortcomings, is a really high-quality and amazing variety, which is not in vain that it is popular to this day.
As you can see, a huge number of gardeners love to grow it, and the fruits plucked from the branches of this apple tree simply amaze the imagination with their taste harmony and aroma.
We hope this article was useful and informative for you, and now you certainly will not have any problems with growing this wonderful apple tree. All that remains is to wish you good luck.