Description and characteristics of the red-leaved ornamental variety of Nedzvetsky apple trees, planting and care

Fruit crops are represented by many varieties that are used for decorative purposes. The Niedzwiecki apple tree is used by landscape designers to create an original garden plot. Thanks 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. E. Nedzvetsky after visiting China. The variety was described by the biologist G. Dick and named after the discoverer.

Apple tree is an ornamental tree. Used in park areas to form hedges. The variety has bright external features:

1. The maximum height of the trunk is 8 m.
2. The wood and bark have a pinkish tint.
3. Thanks to the color of anthocyanins, the leaves, buds, and fruits are purple. Hence the second name - red-leaved apple tree.
4. The variety blooms in May for 10 days. The tree has a long budding period - the flowers do not bloom for 1 month.
5. The variety can be grown as a tree or bush. The Niedzwiecki variety is flexible to create new shapes.

The peculiarity of the apple tree is that its flowering attracts bees to the garden plot, and in winter birds flock there.

Characteristics of the Niedzwiecki apple tree

The characteristic characteristics of the variety determine the order of cultivation of the fruit and berry crop.

Peculiarities

Distinctive external characteristics of a medium-sized tree:

1. The apple tree has a spherical crown.
2. The bark on the trunk is prone to cracks.
3. The first flowering occurs 5 years after planting, and the first fruiting occurs after 10 years.
4. Small dark red apples. Fully ripen in August.
5. The pulp of the fruit is pink.
6. Additional pollinators are needed to produce a harvest.

Phenological type

The Nedzvetsky variety is used by landscape designers to design garden plots and park areas. The tree has a specific color. It changes colors depending on the time of year:

1. In spring, the green-purple foliage mixes with crimson-hued flowers.
2. In summer the leaves turn dark purple. The branches are full of red fruits.
3. In autumn, the crown changes color to crimson-yellow, and the fruits turn purple.
4. In winter, purple apples can be seen on the branches.

Latin name

After the scientist Niedzewiecki brought a wild apple tree from China, it became widespread throughout our country. They named it in honor of the discoverer and biologist who was involved in the description of the variety - Malus niedzxetzkyana Dieck. Translated from Latin, malus means apple.

Tree height

In its natural environment, the wild apple tree reaches 12 m in height. In gardening practice, the variety does not grow higher than 8 m. A similar tendency is associated with pruning to form a crown.

Crown diameter

The width of the apple tree crown is up to 6 m. In young trees it is pyramidal in shape. With age, due to the weight of branches, leaves, and fruits, the crown lowers, becoming like a ball.

Annual growth

The variety is characterized by medium growth vigor. By the age of 13, the tree reaches 3 m in height. Over 1 year, the branches become 40-60 cm longer.

Evaluation of fruit taste

The apple variety is small. The average size of one fruit is 3-4 cm. The tart taste of the fruit is reminiscent of a wild apple tree. During frosts, the bitterness disappears. They retain their taste and appearance well during cold weather. They are considered an excellent treat for birds.

Sheet type

Each elliptical leaf of an apple tree 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 Nedzvetsky variety is high. It tolerates temperatures down to -30 degrees.

Disease resistance

Due to its origin, the Niedzwiecki apple tree is not susceptible to common diseases of fruit crops.

Lifespan of a tree

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:

1. High level of decorativeness. Widely used in landscape design.
2. Easy to care for.
3. Resistance to diseases and pests.
4. Frost resistance.
5. Any apple tree can act as a pollinator.

Breeding rules

There are several options apple tree propagation:

1. On forest and berry subspecies, vaccination is performed. The method will not give complete confidence in the further growth and development of the seedling.
2. At the beginning of autumn, the seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of 2-3 cm.
3. Using cuttings.
4. Reproduction by root shoots. The separated seedling grows and blooms faster.

Planting ornamental apple tree seedlings

Planting Niedzwiecki seedlings is a simple process.

Selecting a location

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. To organize adjacent plantings, it should be taken into account that the crown of an adult tree will reach more than 6 m in width.

Optimal timing

There are several favorable times for planting:

1. In the spring, before the buds open, the seedling is rooted. This will allow the seedling to better adapt to the surrounding climate.
2. In autumn, the tree is dormant. This option is suitable for areas where the soil does not freeze until December.During this period, the seedling will take small roots, and in the spring it will grow vigorously.

Step by step process

To perform a high-quality planting, a simple algorithm is recommended:

1. Prepare the hole 14 days in advance, which will allow the soil to settle to the required level.
2. The standard dimensions of the planting hole are 70 x 70 x 80 cm.
3. Fill the hole halfway with a mixture of soil and organic fertilizers and sand.
4. Drive a wooden stake into the center of the hole. Tie a seedling to it. Its root collar should be at ground level.
5. Spread the roots and cover with soil.
6. Sprinkle the soil around the trunk with mulch and water generously.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

The Nedzvetsky variety requires competent care following standard procedures: watering, fertilizing, pruning branches, disease prevention.

Watering, weeding, loosening

The variety prefers regular moisture. An adult apple tree requires at least 6 buckets of water. To prevent stagnation of moisture in the tree trunk circle, this area is loosened and weeded.

Mulching

Area around the trunk apple trees are recommended to be mulched. For this use:

• peat;
• wood chips;
• shell;
• nuts.

Top dressing

The first fertilizer is applied when planting a seedling. The planting hole is filled with a mixture of soil and rotted manure and compost. The Nedzvetsky variety needs to be provided with nitrogen nutrition. It will give the apple tree a decorative look.

Pruning and crown formation

The optimal period for decorating the crown is autumn or spring:

1. Cut off dry, broken branches.
2. Remove shoots that are growing incorrectly.
3. Trim the ends of branches for better growth.

For trees over 10 years old, anti-aging pruning is carried out. It restores active growth of young branches.

Pest and disease control

The tree can be damaged by aphids, mites, weevils, and scale insects.In such cases, chemicals are used to treat the plant.

Features of ripening and fruiting

The flowering and harvest of the Nedzvetsky variety depends on high-quality care procedures. There are nuances to these processes that every gardener must take into account.

Bloom

The apple tree blooms after the leaves bloom. Flowering period is 10-14 days. The timing of the process or lack thereof may be affected by:

• region of plant cultivation;
• soil composition;
• location of the apple tree in the garden plot.

Use of fruits

Apples of the Nedzvetsky variety are used in three ways:

1. Dried fruits from the fruits of this variety retain all vitamins and microelements.
2. Apples are processed into marshmallows, jam, and cider.
3. The fruits of the tree are used in traditional medicine recipes.

Can it be eaten?

The apples of this variety are tart in taste, but edible. The bitterness of the fruit goes away under the influence of frost. They are rich in ascorbic acid, which allows them to be used as a preventive measure for colds.

Application in landscape design

Thanks to the specific coloring of the leaves, branches, and trunk, the Niedzvetsky apple tree has earned recognition among landscape designers. They use the ornamental tree as a single planting to add interest to the garden area. The original color scheme will create bright contrasts in the design of any plant object. Groups of apple trees are used to decorate hedges.

Growing in different regions

The characteristics of the Nedzvetsky variety make it possible to cultivate the fruit plant in many regions of the country.

In outskirts of Moscow

Severe winters and sudden thaws in the middle zone do not harm the apple tree. Damage to the opened buds is caused by returning cold weather. To avoid this, it is necessary to delay flowering. When planting, 2 stones are buried next to the seedling. This simple method will delay the opening of the buds for a week.

In the Leningrad region

The Northwestern region is characterized by an unstable climate: extremely 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

Winters in Siberia and the Urals are characterized by extremely low temperatures. The “Siberian” rootstock will protect the Nedzvetsky variety from damage by cold weather.

The Niedzwiecki apple tree is a variety with a centuries-old history. A native of China is widespread in many regions of the country. Thanks to its original external features, wood has been used in landscape design for many years. Apple fruits are rich in vitamins and beneficial minerals. Numerous advantages have made the variety popular among farms and private gardeners.