Recently, semi-dwarf varieties of apple trees have become especially popular. This is a variety of apple trees that has an average height. This saves space in the garden and makes harvesting fruits much easier. But caring for such trees has its own difficulties. They react negatively to poor conditions and die quickly. Such apple trees live no more than 15 years.
Description and characteristics of the species
The height of the semi-dwarf is about three to four meters, and the volume of the crown is no more than two. This allows them to be planted more densely than regular apple trees.
Despite its compactness, the semi-dwarf produces fairly high yields. Some varieties, with proper care, can produce up to 50 kg of apples per tree.
To obtain this type of apple tree, an ordinary apple tree is grafted onto a special rootstock. Apple trees grown from seeds or vegetatively are used as rootstocks. To obtain a semi-dwarf tree, grafting is carried out on M-9 or MM-106 rootstock.
Pros and cons of semi-dwarf apple trees
Varieties have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages due to which summer residents choose this type of apple tree are the following:
- Semi-dwarfs produce the first harvest already in the third year after planting in a permanent place.
- The size of the trees allows harvesting without the use of high ladders. There are also no problems with cleaning trees in the spring.
- If you use a vegetative rootstock, you can get high quality fruits. You can also choose a rootstock that has high frost resistance. This will give the same qualities to the future tree.
- Can be grown in small garden plots and in places where there is some free space, such as near the house or along a fence.
- Low-growing varieties are not afraid of groundwater because they have a small root system.
The disadvantages include the size of the roots of this crop. They are poorly developed, which creates additional problems. In a severe drought, the tree may not have enough moisture and it will dry out. In winter, the root system may be damaged by frost, and in rainy weather with strong winds, the apple tree may fall on its side. Therefore, such trees do not live long; their life expectancy depends on proper care.
Popular varieties
Modern breeders have developed many varieties of semi-dwarf apple trees. The most popular among gardeners are:
- Lobo.This variety quickly begins to bear fruit and produces tasty, juicy apples of fairly large size. The fruits can reach 200 g.
- Melba. The variety is quite common and is valued for its juicy and sweet fruits. But it is not suitable for long-term storage; it ripens in the summer.
- Antonovka. The variety is quite winter-hardy and suitable for growing in the northern zone. Produces high yields and can live longer than other varieties.
- Imrus. Apple trees are resistant to diseases, the apples are large and juicy. The variety is winter, ripens in autumn and is well preserved until spring.
Each of these varieties has its own valuable qualities. Many gardeners on small farms prefer to plant several varieties of trees at once in order to have fresh apples all year round. Large entrepreneurs plant varieties in their gardens that bear fruit faster, live longer and tolerate transportation well. Winter varieties are more suitable for this; they can last until next summer.
Rules for planting and care
Planting and caring for semi-dwarf apple trees has its own characteristics:
- This crop does not like salty soil, so it needs to be planted in good black soil, sandstone or loamy soil.
- The seedling is planted in a hole where a little fertilizer has been previously poured. To do this, you can use chemical or natural products. But you can't overdo it. Too much fertilizer can ruin the root system. It is better to mix them well with soil and sand so that there are no lumps.
- Together with the seedling, a small peg is buried in the hole, to which a young apple tree is tied. This is done so that the trunk does not bend over time, and an even tree grows from the seedling.
- The tree in the hole is positioned so that the root collar remains open above the ground.The roots should be spread throughout the entire hole, without bends. The soil above the roots needs to be compacted a little.
- The scheme for planting a seedling is slightly different from planting a regular fruit tree. The distance between trees is less than for tall trees. For good growth, 2 m is enough for them, and the row spacing is 3 m. You should not thicken them more strongly, this will affect the size of the fruit and yield.
- Trees are planted in early spring and watered periodically throughout the summer. Fertilize regularly. Be sure to remove weeds and loosen the soil around the tree. They are treated against pests and diseases.
- In spring, excess branches are trimmed and dried and damaged branches are cleared. The place where a large branch is cut is treated with a special compound or diluted lime.
All care activities must be carried out according to all rules and on time. Otherwise the harvest will be smaller.
Tips for harvesting and storing crops
The harvest is harvested during the ripening period. Summer varieties ripen in July-August, winter varieties in October-November. It is important to remove the apples before the first frost, otherwise they will not stand and will only be suitable for urgent processing into juice and jam.
Harvesting from semi-dwarfs is easy and does not require the use of bulky ladders. If the apple trees have been properly pruned since spring, the apples can be harvested directly from the ground. In extreme cases, a small stepladder will suffice.
Here are some tips for storing your crops:
- Collected apples are stored in boxes or baskets. It is important for them to have access to air, otherwise they will suffocate and begin to rot.
- Before storing apples, they must be sorted. Spoiled, bruised and pierced skins are separated to the side and must be processed immediately.
- Wormy apples may last longer, but they are also best separated and used earlier. Otherwise, living larvae will continue to spoil the apple.
- Store the harvest in the basement or special refrigerators. The main condition is that the room should be dry and cool, but not cold.
- There should be no foreign odors in the storage; apples quickly absorb them.
- If there are only a few apples, they can be stored in the house in a pantry or cold room. If there is a risk that they may freeze, they are covered with old blankets.
If stored correctly, you can keep apples fresh until the next harvest.
Regions of distribution
Semi-dwarf apple trees have become widespread. They can be found in areas of the Moscow region or Siberia. Quite widespread in the south. It all depends on the winter hardiness of the variety and resistance to drought and disease.
