Description and characteristics of Mutsu apples, planting, cultivation and care

The advantages of the Mutsu apple variety allow trees to be grown in many countries around the globe. The plant owes its wide distribution to its characteristics of productivity, resistance to temperature, diseases and pests.

Breeding the Mutsu variety

The Mutsu apple tree has another name - Crispin. This variety was bred in Japanese territories. Breeders obtained such a plant by crossing the Indo and Golden Delicious varieties. Gradually, such trees were brought from Japan to European countries, Ukraine, and Russia.

External characteristics

The description of the plant highlights several external characteristics that allow the tree to be classified as this particular variety. Among them are the features of the crown, foliage, flowers, fruits, and height.

Crown

The crown is characterized by a sparse structure. Moreover, it has a rounded-cone shape. The strong skeletal branches point upward at an acute angle, and the lower branches are often drooping. The lower branches receive this direction due to the heaviness of the fruits.

Leaves

The variety is distinguished by large oblong smooth glossy leaves. In mature apple trees, the leaf blades may curl slightly. The edges of the leaves are double-toothed.

Flowers

The apple flowers of this variety are colored milky whitish. The shape of the flowers is saucer-shaped.

Fruit

Apples have a round, slightly conical shape. Their dimensions are quite large: the weight of one fruit reaches 150-230 grams.

Trunk

An adult apple tree has a fairly high trunk. When grown on a seed rootstock, the tree grows up to 3-4 meters in length. If a dwarf species is cultivated, the trunk height reaches 2-2.5 meters.

Type and taste of the fruit

When fully ripe, the apple skin becomes yellowish. On one side, a bright blush appears on the skin.

The pulp is also colored yellowish, its structure is dense. The apples themselves have a sweet aroma and honey taste.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages of the apple tree are:

• increased productivity;
• rapid fruit ripening;
• high consumer qualities of apples;
• good shelf life of the crop;
• presence of resistance to fungi.

There are no recorded deficiencies in this apple tree. But some gardeners claim that this variety is characterized by rare periodicity in fruiting.

additional characteristics

It is also recommended to pay attention to other characteristics of the variety before planting. These include resistance to diseases, low temperatures, the possibility of self-pollination, and yield levels.

Immunity to disease

This variety of apple trees has average immunity to fungi. Basically, trees are affected by scab and powdery mildew when the humidity level increases.

Frost resistance

Apple trees have average resistance to low temperatures. If the tree is not given proper care and the ambient temperature drops below 35 degrees, the trunk freezes.

Pollination

This variety is not self-pollinating. In order for the tree to begin to bear fruit, other varieties of apple trees should be planted nearby. The best option for this is Jonathan, Idared.

Productivity and frequency of fruiting

This variety is characterized by a pronounced weakened periodicity in fruit formation. After a season of high harvest, the tree rests for 5-6 years.

Planting and care

To get a healthy plant, you need to follow all the principles of planting. Proper care of the apple tree is also necessary.

Planting technology

Before planting an apple tree, you need to know that this varietal species exhibits average resistance to severe frosts. To protect the plant, it is necessary to install a wind barrier on the north side.

Deadlines

Planting material must be planted in spring or autumn. The best option is to carry out planting work in the spring. This approach will give time for the root system of the seedling to adapt to the environment.

Pit distance and depth

Plantings should be located 3 meters from each other. The row spacing should form a gap of 4 meters. This arrangement allows mature trees to receive the maximum amount of sunlight and heat.

Maintain regular watering

In the first year of growth and development, the apple tree must be irrigated regularly. The best option is to provide watering 1-2 times a week. Gradually, the frequency of moisturizing needs to be reduced to once a month.

Fertilizer

It is best to plant an apple tree on black soil, fertile soil. If such conditions are absent, the soil must be fertilized with ash and humus. To improve fruiting in the spring, you need to apply nitrogen fertilizers under the tree, and in the fall - mineral complexes.

Loosening the soil

In order for air to enter the soil, it must be loosened. Loosening is required to be carried out at a depth of 10 centimeters. This procedure will strengthen the plant’s immunity and increase its productivity.

We carry out processing

During the growth and development of the apple tree, it is necessary to carefully inspect the tree for traces of pathologies and pests. If they are detected, it is necessary to immediately treat the affected areas.

Forming the crown

The apple tree does not need crown formation. Therefore, pruning is carried out only to eliminate damaged and old branches.

Preparing for winter

To prevent freezing, when late autumn approaches, the trunk should be wrapped with insulation. And cover the soil around the trunk with mulch and humus.

Where is the crop used?

Since the fruits of the variety are characterized by the presence of a dense skin, they can retain their freshness for a long time. This quality allows the harvested crop to be transported over long distances. The collected fruits, if stored in a cool, dark place, will not become deformed until May.

Also, during crop storage, it is necessary to monitor humidity levels: it should not be high. To get apples with a rich flavor, they need to be given time to ripen after harvesting. This takes 2 months.