Description and characteristics of the red-leaved decorative variety of Nedzvetsky apple trees, planting and care
Fruit crops are represented by many varieties that are used for decorative purposes. The Nedzvetsky apple tree is used by landscape designers to create an original garden plot. Due to its specific external qualities, the tree will become the highlight of any plant composition.
Description of the variety
The history of the Nedzvetsky variety begins in the 20th century. The apple tree was brought to Russia by the scientist V. Ye. Nedzvetsky after visiting China. The variety was described by the biologist G. Dick and named after the discoverer.
The apple tree is an ornamental tree. Used in park areas to form hedges. The variety has bright external features:
- The maximum trunk height is 8 m.
- Wood and bark have a pinkish tint.
- Due to the color of anthocyanins, the leaves, buds, and fruits are purple. Hence the second name - red-leaved apple tree.
- The variety blooms in May for 10 days. The tree has a long budding period - the flowers do not bloom for 1 month.
- The variety can be grown with a tree or bush. The Nedzvetskiy variety is flexible to create a new shape.
The peculiarity of the apple tree is that its flowering attracts bees to the garden area, and in winter birds flock there.
Characteristics of the Nedzvetsky apple tree
The characteristic features of the variety determine the order of growing fruit and berry crops.
Features:
Distinctive external characteristics of a medium-sized tree:
- The apple tree has a spherical crown.
- The bark on the trunk is prone to cracking.
- The first flowering occurs 5 years after planting, and the first fruiting - 10 years later.
- Small, dark red apples. Fully ripe in August.
- The pulp of the fruit is pink.
- Additional pollinators are needed to harvest.
Phenological type
The Nedzvetsky variety is used by landscape designers to design garden plots and park areas. The tree has a specific color. She changes colors depending on the season:
- In spring, the green-purple foliage mixes with the crimson flowers.
- In summer, the leaves turn dark purple. The branches are full of red fruits.
- In autumn, the crown changes its tone to crimson-yellow, and the fruits turn purple.
- In winter, purple apples can be seen on the branches.
Latin name
After the scientist Nedzewiecki from China brought a wild apple tree, it became widespread in our country. It was named after the discoverer and biologist who described the variety - Malus niedzxetzkyana Dieck. Translated from the Latin malus - apple.
Tree height
In its natural environment, the wild apple tree reaches 12 m in height. In garden practice, the variety does not grow above 8 m. A similar tendency is associated with pruning for crown formation.
Crown diameter
The width of the apple tree crown is up to 6 m. In young trees, it is pyramidal. With age, from the severity of the branches, leaves, fruits, the crown drops, becoming like a ball.
Annual growth
The variety is characterized by medium vigor. By the age of 13, the tree reaches 3 m in height. For 1 year, the branches become 40-60 cm longer.
Fruit taste assessment
The apples are small. The average size of one fruit is 3-4 cm. The astringent taste of the fruit resembles a forest wild apple. During frosts, bitterness disappears. They retain their taste and appearance well during the cold season. They are considered an excellent treat for birds.
Sheet type
Each elliptical apple leaf has a jagged edge. In the spring-summer period, the reverse side is painted red-brown.
Winter hardiness
The level of frost resistance in the Nedzvetskiy variety is high. It tolerates temperatures as low as -30 degrees.
Disease resistance
Due to its origin, the apple tree of Nedzvetsky is not susceptible to damage by common diseases of fruit crops.
Tree life
The average lifespan of the Nedzvetsky variety is 60 years. Proper care will increase the indicator several times.
Pros and cons of the variety
The apple tree has many advantages that have made the variety popular among gardeners:
- High level of decorativeness. Wide application in landscape design.
- Unpretentious care.
- Disease and pest resistance.
- Frost resistance.
- Any apple tree can act as a pollinator.
Breeding rules
There are several options breeding apple trees:
- Grafting is performed on forest and berry subspecies. The method will not give full confidence in the further growth and development of the seedling.
- At the beginning of autumn, seeds are laid in the ground to a depth of 2-3 cm.
- Use of cuttings.
- Reproduction by root shoots. The separated seedling grows and blooms faster.
Planting seedlings of decorative apple trees
Planting Nedzvetskiy seedlings is a simple process.
Seat selection
The apple tree prefers good lighting. The best location is the sunny side of the garden. Groundwater should lie no higher than 1.5-2 m from the surface. For the organization of adjacent plantings, it should be noted that the crown of an adult tree will reach more than 6 m in width.
Optimal timing
There are several favorable landing dates:
- In the spring, before budding, the seedling is rooted. This will allow the seedling to better adapt to the surrounding climate.
- In the autumn, the tree is dormant. The option is suitable for areas where the soil does not freeze until December. During this period, the seedling will put down small roots, and in the spring it will stretch hard to grow.
Step by step process
To perform a high-quality landing, a simple algorithm is recommended:
- Prepare the pit in 14 days, which will allow the earth to settle to the required level.
- The standard size of the landing hole is 70 x 70 x 80 cm.
- Fill halfway with a mixture of soil and organic fertilizers, sand.
- Drive a wooden stake into the center of the hole. Tie a sapling to it. Its root collar should be at ground level.
- Spread the roots, cover with earth.
- Sprinkle the soil around the trunk with mulch, water abundantly.
Agricultural technology of cultivation
The Nedzvetsky variety needs competent care from standard procedures: watering, fertilizing, pruning branches, preventing diseases.
Watering, weeding, loosening
The variety prefers regular moisture. At least 6 buckets of water are spent on an adult apple tree. To prevent stagnation of moisture in the near-trunk circle, this area is loosened and weeded.
Mulching
Area around the trunk apple trees are recommended to mulch... To do this, use:
- peat;
- wood chips;
- shell;
- nuts.
Top dressing
The first fertilization is carried out when planting a seedling. The planting pit is filled with a mixture of earth and rotted manure, compost. The Nedzvetsky variety must be supplied with nitrogen. It will give the apple tree a decorative look.
Pruning and shaping the crown
The optimal period for crown decoration is autumn or spring:
- Cut off dry, broken branches.
- Remove shoots growing incorrectly.
- Trim the ends of the branches for better growth.
For trees over 10 years old, rejuvenating pruning is carried out. It restores active growth of young branches.
Pest and disease control
The tree can be damaged by aphids, mites, weevils, scale insects. In such cases, chemicals are used to treat the plant.
Features of ripening and fruiting
The flowering and yield of the Nedzvetsky variety depends on quality care procedures. There are nuances of these processes that every gardener must consider.
Bloom
The apple tree blooms after the leaves bloom. The flowering period is 10-14 days. The timing of the process, or lack thereof, can be affected by:
- plant cultivation region;
- soil composition;
- the location of the apple tree in the garden.
Fruit use
Apples of the Nedzvetskiy variety are used in three directions:
- Dried fruits from the fruits of this variety retain all vitamins and microelements.
- Apples are processed into marshmallow, jam, cider.
- The fruits of the tree are used in traditional medicine recipes.
Can I eat?
The apples are tart in taste, but edible. The bitterness of the fruit passes under the influence of frost. They are rich in ascorbic acid, which allows them to be used as prevention of colds.
Application in landscape design
Due to the specific color of leaves, branches, trunk, the Nedzwiecki apple tree has earned recognition among landscape designers. They use the ornamental tree as a single planting to add zest to the garden plot. The original color scheme will create vivid contrasts in the design of any plant object. Groups of apple trees are used to decorate hedges.
Growing in different regions
The peculiarities of the Nedzvetskiy variety make it possible to cultivate a fruit plant in many regions of the country.
In outskirts of Moscow
Harsh winters and sudden thaws of the middle zone do not harm the apple tree. Damage to the opened buds is brought by the return cold. To avoid this, it is necessary to delay flowering. When planting, 2 stones are buried next to the seedling. This simple method will postpone the opening of the buds for a week.
In the Leningrad region
The North-West region is characterized by an unstable climate: excessively cold winters alternate with prolonged thaws. To keep the tree healthy, it is recommended to plant it in an elevated, well-lit area.
In Siberia and the Urals
The winters of Siberia and the Urals are characterized by extremely low temperatures. The Siberian rootstock will keep the Nedzvetskiy variety from cold damage.
The apple tree of Nedzvetskiy is a variety with a century-old history. A native of China is widespread in many regions of the country. Due to the original external features, the tree has been used for many years in landscape design.Apple fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. Numerous advantages have made the variety popular with farms and private gardeners.
