Apple-tree columnar Maluha

The apple tree is perhaps the most popular fruit tree that can be found in almost every soda. But if the gardener wants to get the most delicious, high-quality fruits, then he needs to take responsibility for choosing the right planting material. In the article, we will consider both general information on the breeding of varieties, and we will focus on one specific, on a variety - the Malukha apple tree.

Introduction

Apple-tree Malyukha: photo of the variety

Breeders have also been puzzled to develop the ideal apple variety that is relatively compact, unpretentious, and still produces abundant fruit. So, in 1964, a tree appeared by chance, which turned out to be of a columnar type - that is, the tree bore fruit only from a single, main branch. Gradually, the Malyukha columnar apple tree began to be cultivated almost everywhere - and this was the beginning of the cultivation of an excellent apple subtype - columnar varieties.

Malukha's apple trees are very convenient in growing and in placing in personal and garden plots. They also differ in that they are not particularly capricious, do not show any whimsicality, if we are talking directly about care measures. At the same time, it is still worth knowing some of the basic subtleties of columnar varieties, the subtleties of planting, care, agrotechnical requirements. So you can increase the yield, make fruiting even more abundant, of high quality, tasty and useful for humans. In addition, there are some aspects and features in planting columnar apples that are also worth paying attention to. This article is about a columnar apple variety called Maluha. The information will be of interest not only to novice gardeners, but also to those who already have experience in gardening and growing various apple varieties, but at the same time they are constantly looking for new interesting types and varieties of apple trees.

Apple-tree Maluha: description of the variety

Apple-tree Malyukha: photo of the variety

You should start with some of the main characteristics of the variety. The Malukha apple tree is a columnar variety of the apple tree. Its height can reach 180 centimeters. In rare cases, the height reaches two meters, but such trees can be found on the plots not so often. This variety is a real find for any gardener, especially for those who cultivate apple trees in central Russia. As you know, it is in these areas that the weather is not the most stable, the temperature regime can constantly get lost, and these conditions may not always seem suitable for growing apple trees. One way or another, the Malyukha columnar apple tree is suitable for this, and you do not have to worry at all that something will happen to the tree during severe frosts, or during periods of excessive drought. As a rule, there are several main advantages of the Malukha apple variety, which we simply cannot but pay attention to. These advantages include the following features:

• the height of the Malukh apple tree is very small and, accordingly, it is convenient to care for the tree, as well as to harvest from it
• the tree has such a shape that it is distinguished by its compactness; a lot of space is not required on the site in order for this tree to grow and develop normally. Therefore, in the smallest space, you can plant several such apple trees at once - they will look very decorative, and also, in principle, it will be very convenient to take care of them in this case.
• as we have already noted, the apple tree has some decorative characteristics, its appearance is really very attractive. Thus, it is intended not only to bear fruit and delight the gardener with its harvest, but also to decorate the site with its external properties and characteristics.Malyukha's columnar apple trees: photo of the variety
• thanks to the very comfortable shape of the tree, the gardener can harvest until the very last fruit. Apples do not fall off, do not crumble when they reach full ripeness, which is, of course, another advantage of this variety.
• this variety belongs to the group of winter-hardy varieties. This property is incredibly useful for those gardeners who want to plant apple trees in areas and in areas where climatic conditions are not the most favorable, mostly it can be quite cool, even if it is summer
• the harvest is quite complete, the fruits are large, have pleasant taste characteristics. So Malyukha's columnar apple tree is a full-fledged apple tree, just a rather unusual shape, otherwise it is the same tree as everyone else, so you should not think that he needs any special conditions or agrotechnical measures.

But all that we have listed is just a few of the main advantages of the Malukha apple variety, which it possesses over other varietal categories. One way or another, in planting and subsequent care, it is worth highlighting several characteristic features and properties, as well as differences, which also confirm once again that this is not an ordinary variety.

The apple tree also has some characteristics that suggest that the apple tree has some disadvantages. The variety is inferior in that a much larger number of fruits can form on an ordinary apple tree than on a columnar one. One way or another, one can collect up to fifteen kilograms of tasty and very healthy apples from one columnar Malukh apple tree, which at the same time will be of a decent, large size. So, in general, if gardeners do not grow apples for industrial purposes, but plant them only for themselves, then the Malukha apple tree is an excellent variety.

The very first crop can be harvested as early as the second year after the tree has been placed in open ground. But still, as more experienced gardeners say, do not expect too abundant fruiting from an apple tree - the tree takes full effect only in the fifth year, and only from that moment on it will form the largest, juicy, tasty apples, and in general the level yield during this period will reach its maximum level. The apples are yellowish, while a slight blush may also be visible on the barrels from the sunny side. If you take proper care of the tree, then the fruits can reach 250 grams in weight, but if the gardener does not comply with the agrotechnical characteristics, then this can lead to the fact that the fruits become small, very sour, tasteless, and certainly will not be so attractive, oh whatever traits we say. So in the future, it is worth paying special attention to care measures, as well as to the prevention of trees.

Malyukha apple variety: photo

The pulp of Malukha apples turns out to be very white, it can have a creamy shade. The taste is sweet with a pronounced sourness, while the fruits cannot be called bland or too sour. They are juicy, have a weak starchiness, when biting, a very appetizing crunch is obtained. An incredibly pleasant apple aroma emanates from Malyukh's apples, the fruits are evenly distributed along the length of the entire trunk. Since the tree is not very tall, it is very convenient to harvest, and it is very convenient to take care of the tree in the future.

Fruit ripening occurs around September, and after harvesting, the fruits can be stored for a long time, without losing either their external characteristics, or their taste and useful properties. Usually keeping quality can last until January, but the main thing is to place the fruits in the most suitable and comfortable conditions for the fruits, which are organized by the gardener himself.

Since this is a self-fertile variety, it is necessary to plant several apple trees nearby, which will be pollinating varieties for the Malukha apple tree. Ideally, such varieties can be Currency and Kitayka, as well as Chervonets. They have similar flowering periods and, accordingly, largely coincide with the characteristics of Malukha's columnar apple tree. The variety differs in that it is incredibly resistant to various frosts, while the Malukha apple tree has a high immunity. This means that the risk of the formation of viral and fungal diseases in this tree is minimal, but it is still worth taking preventive measures in order to prevent their formation or any possibility at all. One way or another, you can not use chemicals, and folk remedies can be used to protect the tree, as well as regularly examine the tree for deformations or for the formation of insect colonies.

As such, it is a very convenient and incredibly popular variety that is suitable for growing in a variety of areas. In the next part of this article, we will dwell in more detail on how to properly plant apple trees, and how to organize follow-up care so that the tree feels as comfortable as possible, and then gives an excellent level of harvest.

Planting and caring for a columnar Malukh apple tree

Columnar apple Maluha: photo of the variety

Malyukh's columnar apple can be planted either in the spring or in the autumn. If the gardener has decided to plant the tree in the spring, then it is best to schedule the planting in April, and if it is an autumn planting, then the ideal period would be the end of September or the beginning of October. Before planting a tree, you need to start choosing a place for planting a variety. This place should be characterized by several main features, which will just say that this is the most suitable place, the most suitable territory for growing Malukha apple trees:

• the place should be well protected from drafts and sharp gusts of wind
• it is best for planting a columnar apple tree in a sunny place, otherwise there is a possibility that the yield will be very low, since the tree will not have enough sunlight and heat
• the bed must also be warm - that is, it is not only a lighted place, but also a bed where the soil has already warmed up to comfortable temperatures
• with regard to groundwater, they must be located at a depth of at least two meters. This means that it is best to plant the tree on a hillock. If suddenly the root system comes into contact with the root system of the tree, then this can lead to the development of diseases, to the fact that the tree simply does not allow itself to develop, grow, not to mention the development of the crop and its subsequent harvest. Sometimes, if the groundwater reaches the root, or the root grows and comes into contact with the groundwater, then this leads to the death of the tree, so this process should be treated as carefully and with all responsibility
• the soil should be fertile, there should be a drainage layer in it. Usually, the soil is prepared by the gardener himself, who adds organic and mineral components there, and also creates a drainage layer using expanded clay, broken brick, pebbles.

Apple-tree Malyukha: photo of a columnar variety

After the ideal place for planting the Malukha apple tree has been found, it is best to start preparing the planting pit itself.In general, it is best to cook it 10-14 days before planting the tree itself. The width of the pit should be about half a meter, but in depth it can vary from half a meter to seventy centimeters - here the gardener should figure out for himself what size the roots are, and how deep the pit itself should, respectively, be. It is very important to remember that the tree is quite compact, so the apple trees are planted in a row. There should be a distance of about seventy centimeters between them. This distance is ideal both for the growth of apple trees, and so that in the future the gardener can successfully take care of the plantings and collect the fruits. If the planting is done not in one, but in several at once, then the aisle should be wider - up to 130 centimeters.

As we have already indicated, the tree is comfortable to grow and adapt in the so-called "warm bed". A warm bed is made in compliance with the following several conditions:

• a hole is dug in accordance with the size and dimensions of the seedling and, of course, taking into account the size of its root system, several bottles of plastic sludge must be placed on the bottom
• it is necessary to lay compost on top, since it is an ideal organic layer, and is perfectly perceived by the root system of the tree itself. In addition, compost warms up the soil well, which is also a huge advantage.
• the next layer, which is laid in the hole, is plant residues from grass and weeds, leaves and grass, as well as sawdust. Next, you need to place a layer of earth
• it turns out to be quite soft and, most importantly, a warmed up pillow, into which the Malukha apple tree itself is then placed. She feels very comfortable there, gives excellent rooting and subsequent growth. There are also great guarantees that the tree will not become too waterlogged, the root system will be completely protected from possible contact with groundwater, so warm soil is an excellent option for planting such varieties of columnar apple trees. You can also use this method for planting other fruit and fruit crops and trees, they will also feel comfortable there, will give excellent survival rate and, accordingly, growth and yield in the future.

Malukha's apples: photo of the variety

After the tree of the columnar apple of the Maluha variety has been planted, the soil around it should be very well watered with settled water, and also mulched. Mulch helps protect the soil from excessive evaporation of moisture, warm it up, and also protect the plant itself from attacks from bacteria, insects and pests. Usually, peat, humus, straw, compost are used as mulch, that is, mainly organic components, which are completely safe for the tree itself.

As for grooming measures, in this regard, the Malukha apple variety does not put forward any special requirements, it is not too capricious. But still, we must not forget about the elementary agrotechnical requirements, since they are necessary for any plant in order to maintain its vital activity, as well as in order to generally feel safe and give abundant fruiting. So, the following activities are included in the care:

• implementation of timely moistening of the soil around the plant, the trunk circle. Sometimes the upper part also needs moisture - the crown also needs moisture
• top dressing - it is carried out with the help of organic fertilizers and mineral complexes, so that the tree feels comprehensively protected
• weeding of the trunk circle and its loosening. Weeding is needed to remove all weeds from the site, but loosening must be done just after watering. This will allow moisture not to stagnate in the upper layers of the soil, and then it will be evenly distributed, the root system will also be evenly moistened, and this is really very important
• the tree must be processed and regularly inspected to protect against diseases and the spread of various pests
• pruning - it is done for both formative and sanitary purposes, so it is also a prerequisite for the life of a tree, especially if we are talking about a columnar apple family.

In the first year after the gardener planted the Malukh apple tree in open ground, the roots have not yet had time to grow quickly, and therefore it is worthwhile to devote special attention to the activities for watering the soil. The intensity of irrigation depends entirely on the weather and climatic conditions observed in the area where the Malyukha columnar apple tree is planted. It is also worthwhile to carefully monitor that after watering, not only the topsoil is moistened - it is also necessary to control that the moisture reaches a depth much deeper than five centimeters. If the weather is normal, it is recommended to water the tree about twice a week. Only settled water of a comfortable temperature is used, since in general if cold water is introduced, this can cause shock from the root system. Naturally, this will negatively affect the general condition of the tree in the future, it can refuse to bear fruit, it can give not too abundant and, most importantly, not too tasty fruits.

Top dressing - in the first year after the tree has been planted, it is recommended to use nitroammophos as top dressing. It allows the tree to better adapt to the conditions, so this component is really very important for the health of the tree and for its further development. the second time feeding can be applied approximately four weeks after the first application. To do this, they take urea and dissolve it in water; trees are watered with this solution. The third feeding should take place after another four weeks. This time the gardener has a choice - he can add either urea or nitroammophos, which was introduced during the first feeding. It all depends on what growth and development trends the tree shows. It is important to remember that you cannot apply top dressing to dry soil. You should first moisten the soil very thoroughly, and only then apply fertilizers and top dressing. Then they will be absorbed better and much faster by the soil and, accordingly, will be more quickly absorbed by the systems of the tree itself.

Apple-tree Malyukha: photo of a columnar variety

Weeding and loosening can be combined - this way, the gardener will save both his time and his own strength. Also, in order to carry out these works less often, it is recommended to mulch the near-trunk circle. Then the likelihood that the weed will grow unnecessarily will be reduced to a minimum. Thus, in no case should you underestimate the importance of mulch, and you should be careful about when and how to apply it correctly in order to avoid various, very common mistakes.

The Malyukha apple variety is generally characterized as an apple tree that is quite resistant to a variety of diseases. But still, experienced gardeners emphasize that one should not forget about preventive treatments of the seedling. For this, fungicides and some special preparations against pests are purchased, which are sold in specialized stores for gardeners. Against the ants, you can sprinkle the near-trunk circle with a drug called Thunder, because if there are no ants nearby, then the likelihood that dangerous aphid colonies will begin to spread is reduced. In order to prevent hungry rodents from attacking the tree in winter, it is also best to wrap the trunk with chain-link, spruce branches, agrofibre to protect it.

Like any tree, the Malyukha columnar apple tree is also very demanding for pruning, both formative and sanitary.The crown is formed so that it grows neatly, so that it is easier to harvest, and also so that diseases do not develop inside the crown due to lack of ventilation. They also carry out sanitary pruning of the crown - for this they remove all damaged, dried, wilted branches, as well as those branches that have already aged, and which no longer give a sufficient harvest. For successful pruning of the Maluha apple tree variety, you can adhere to the following scheme, which is very useful to owners of columnar types of apple trees:

• in the second year of life, the trees are cut off the side branches, and in the summer, new, fresher shoots will begin to develop from them
• in the third year, only young shoots are cut off, since annual shoots will begin to bear fruit
• in the fourth year, last year's fruiting shoots are removed, with the rest being treated according to the same scenario as in the second and third years.

So, it turns out a stem that grows relatively slowly. At the same time, the gardener himself with such pruning provides himself with annual fruiting, so it is very convenient, and in general, if you follow this scheme, you can only benefit your future harvest, and no harm. It is worth remembering that if you do not prune the tree, then it will very quickly lose its columnar shape, and will grow old just as quickly, not having time to reveal its full fruiting potential. So you should keep this in mind, otherwise you can lose not only the tree, but also your potential harvest.

Conclusion

Reviews of the Malyukha columnar apple variety from gardeners are quite positive. They say that the tree is very easy to grow, it does not require any special care. At the same time, the harvest is obtained, albeit not so plentiful, but at the same time very tasty, maturing. The fruits of the Malukha apple tree normally tolerate long-distance transportation, they are not just very tasty: due to the content of vitamins, trace elements, antioxidants, they are also very useful for human health. The fruits of the Maluha apple variety have a universal purpose - they can be consumed fresh, or you can prepare various dishes, desserts, preserves and jams, salads, and of course drinks - compotes, apple juices from them. Among other things, these apples have excellent decorative characteristics, they can decorate absolutely any personal plot, which is also their undoubted advantage. Therefore, it is not just desirable, but even necessary to plant at least a couple of Malukh's columnar apple trees to make sure of their incredibly positive properties and characteristics.

Columnar apple Maluha: video about the variety