Column-shaped varieties of apple trees are an ideal solution for small areas. Compact trees can significantly save space in the garden and get a good harvest. Planting columnar apple trees requires special attention.
When to plant a column-shaped apple tree in the garden
The best time for planting colonized apple varieties is considered spring, but in good weather conditions, trees can be planted in early autumn.
In spring, all work must be completed before budding. For planting, choose only annual seedlings, as they take root more quickly and begin to bear fruit. Pay special attention to the root system of seedlings; it should not be too dry or wet. It is best to use young trees in a container for planting. They can be successfully planted even in summer.
Autumn planting of apple trees begins in September, when the weather is still warm. In mid-October, the landing is completed, as night frosts are possible.
How to plant a columnar apple tree
The place for planting colon-shaped apple trees is chosen in the fall, the landing pit is prepared in advance so that the earth settles and is well saturated with fertilizers. Apple trees are planted in an open sunny area, but maximally protected from gusts of strong winds. Trees grow well in nutrient soil, but can not stand the overmoistening of the root system. Choose a landing site so that groundwater does not wash out the roots.
Important! To plant several trees in the garden, keep a distance of at least 50 cm between them. Leave up to 1 meter between the rows. For columnar trees this will be enough.
Photo planting a columnar apple tree
The size of the planting pit depends on the root system of the seedlings, but should not be less than 1 meter in depth and width. Pits are prepared 14 days before planting. If you dig a hole immediately before work, the earth will settle, and the measles neck will be covered with soil. This leads to various diseases of the seedling.
The prepared landing pit is filled in the following sequence:
· Drainage layer 15-20 cm;
· Humus or compost - 3 buckets;
· Phosphorus-potash fertilizers - 200 gr.
After which the land is leveled and left for 15-45 days. The seedling is set in the hole and sprinkled with earth so that the root neck remains on the surface. After planting, water the tree well and mulch the soil around it with peat or humus.
To prevent strong winds from breaking the seedling, install a peg in the hole and carefully tie the tree.
Caring for a Colon Apple Tree
Care of seedlings begins in early spring, even before buds open. At this time, pruning, dressing and processing are carried out.
Remember that radically pruning the apple tree is not necessary, it is enough to slightly shorten the frozen tips. The central conductor is shortened only if it is badly damaged by frost.
In the first years after planting, thinning of the ovaries is mandatory. In the first year, all ovaries are removed during flowering. In the second year, up to 10 flowers are left, gradually increasing the load on the tree.
Advice! Leave ovaries twice as many as you plan to harvest apples.
Proper feeding of the apple tree
In early spring, the soil under the seedlings is carefully loosened so as not to injure the superficial root system. They feed trees with nitrogen fertilizers. In June, they switch to mineral fertilizing. During the summer, alternate mineral and organic top dressing.
At the very beginning of August, they switch to potash top dressing. They help to ripen young shoots faster, prepare the tree for winter.
Pest and Disease Treatment
Preventive treatment of trees is carried out in early spring. Seedlings are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux fluid, be sure to process the trunks circles. This treatment helps get rid of overwintered pests. Experienced gardeners advise spraying an apple with a urea solution, this is not only the prevention of pests and diseases, but also a good nitrogen top dressing.
In the summer, the seedlings are carefully observed, at the slightest sign of the disease, they are treated with folk remedies. In case of severe damage, they are sprayed with chemical preparations. To reduce the number of pests, once a month they crown the crown of trees with a hose.
Important! Processing is completed a month before harvest.
Watering Colon-shaped Apple Trees
Since the columnar apple trees do not have a root root and their root system is located on the surface, watering should be regular. In normal weather, watering is organized 1 time in 3 days, in a dry summer they are watered every other day. In the middle of summer, watering is reduced, in August it is completely stopped. This allows the tree to prepare for winter, to form flower buds for next year.
Experienced gardeners recommend organizing a drip irrigation system in a garden with columnar apple trees. However, once a month it is still necessary to shed trees to the full depth of the roots. To preserve moisture in the soil, the trunk circle is mulched with mowed grass, peat or humus.
How to prepare a columnar apple tree for winter
In the fall, apple trees are prepared for winter. Be sure to remove all straw mulch if it has been used throughout the season. If this is not done, then rodents will settle in it.
Young standard trees need good shelter. The trunk circle and the trunks of seedlings are insulated with spruce branches or dry foliage.
Correct pruning of a columnar apple tree
Pruning of trees is carried out exclusively in the spring. The main principle of pruning a columnar apple tree is not to cut the center conductor. Only side branches can be shortened, the more they are cut, the more they will give growth. With proper pruning, the apple tree will give an annual growth of 10-15 cm.
Pruning apple tree pruning scheme
In the first year of cultivation, the side shoots are cut to 2 buds. In subsequent years, all unnecessary side shoots are plucked out with more green. From the remaining shoots form fruit links. Each link bears fruit only 3-4 years, after which it is cut into a ring.
If the central conductor is frozen, then it is cut. From the apical shoots, the most adjacent to the trunk, which will replace the conductor, is selected. The rest is cut close to the trunk.
Important! Sanitary pruning of the apple tree is carried out in spring and autumn, cutting out all the curves growing inward or dry shoots.
Propagation of a Column-shaped Apple Tree
It is difficult to propagate a colony-shaped apple tree by vaccination without proper experience and knowledge, so it’s better to learn other methods.
Seed propagation is the longest and most laborious way. However, not all seedlings inherit colony-like traits. Reproduction by layering is also not the most successful option, since at the same time you can get seedlings only in 50% of cases.
It is better for a simple gardener to purchase ready-made seedlings in a nursery than to engage in complex breeding work.
