Description and characteristics of the ornamental apple tree variety Rudolf, pros and cons, cultivation

The Rudolph apple tree is perfect for decorating a landscape in a city or countryside. The very first flowering of this tree becomes a colorful spot, and the fruits complement the composition with yellow accents.

History of selection

The Rudolph apple tree is an ornamental tree imported from Canada. Poland was considered the original homeland. The apple tree has bright red flowers, and in some cases leaves of a similar color. The fruits are small, sometimes edible.

Apple tree Rudolph: pros and cons

Wood has its advantages:

• Maintains an attractive blooming appearance for a long time.
• Easy to care for.
• Quite resistant to bad weather conditions.

And disadvantages:

• The quality of the fruit leaves much to be desired.
• In the shade, the decorative beauty of the seedling disappears.

Variety varieties

This tree does not have many varietal varieties. There are two varieties of apple trees.

Decorative

This variety has a dense crown. Bright leaves and flowers. The fruits are a bright honey color. It blooms for a very long time, maintaining a decorative appearance over a long period of time.

Stambovaya

This variety was bred on the basis of decorative. The decorative Rudolph apple tree is grafted onto smooth straight trunks. The result is a tall bare leg with a thick, beautiful crown.

Main characteristics

The main characteristics fully reflect the necessary conditions for keeping this apple tree variety.

External data

The external data of each tree is strictly qualified by size, growth and branching of roots.

Tree dimensions

The apple tree grows up to 6 meters high. The crown is dense, with a girth of no more than 4 meters.

Annual growth

This variety grows quickly. At the 6th year of life, the tree reaches its maximum height. Lateral branches slow down in growth in the 7th year.

Development of the root system

The root shaft, like that of most fruit trees, is quite developed.The root system goes deep and branches on the sides of the trunk by 1-2 meters.

Technical description

The Rudolph apple tree reaches a height of 6 meters. In some cases, it is formed in outline like a multi-stemmed shrub. The branches rush upward and have some deviation from the trunk. A mature tree exhibits downward deviation of the ends of its branches.

For more than half of the year the plant has a decorative appearance. The leaves are dark green. The tree blooms profusely, the fruits are bright yellow. The flowers are pink, small in diameter, 3-4 cm. The apple tree is unpretentious in care. Can grow in any climate zone. Any soil is suitable except swampy.

Disease resistance

High resistance to powdery mildew and scab. But in the damp, cold season it is necessary to spray for prevention.

Winter hardiness

The apple tree has a 3rd zone of cold resistance. Which means it is easy to grow in harsh winter conditions. Young shoots freeze, after which they need to be pruned. Fruits fall at temperatures below -2 ⁰WITH.

Pollinability

The variety is self-pollinating. But to improve the yield, it is recommended to plant it close to pollinating trees.

Productivity and taste of fruits

About 5 kg of fruits are collected from one tree per season. The apples are small and not juicy. The taste is tart and astringent.

Recommendations for cultivation

In order for the tree to grow healthy and beautiful, it is necessary to follow the growing recommendations.

How to choose seedlings when purchasing

Seedlings must be strong and fresh. In order for the tree to take root better, it is necessary to take a 2-year-old plant.

Landing dates

This tree variety is traditionally planted in spring (March-April) or autumn (September-October).

Choosing a suitable location and soil composition

The apple tree must be planted in a sunny place. It is important that at a distance of 4 meters from the apple tree there are no other trees or buildings that would interfere with the opening of the crown.

The soil must be fertile and drained.

Landing scheme and technology

In order for the seedling to take root well, it is recommended to prepare a hole for planting in advance:

• 3-4 days before planting the seedling, dig a hole and fill it with a mixture of black soil, humus, manure and peat. You should also add fertilizers in the form of phosphorus and potassium in the amount of 3 tablespoons, 100-150 grams of ash or dolomite flour.
• It is important to compact the mixture so that it occupies only 2/3 of the total volume.
• After this, the roots of the seedling are carefully placed in the hole. They should be branched freely, without resting against the walls of the pit. The root neck should be on the surface after covering with soil.
• After planting, the tree is tied to a support until it gets stronger.

Rules for caring for an apple tree

An apple tree, like any other plant, needs proper care to grow well.

Watering

For normal growth, this variety of ornamental apple tree needs frequent and abundant watering. In the first year it is necessary to water as often as possible. At least 2 times a week.

Soil care

The soil needs to be loosened about once a month. After watering, add hay, peat, grass and sawdust. This will attract earthworms and the soil will always be loose.

Feeding

In the first year after planting, the seedling is not fed. During this period, it is only recommended to follow the regime of adding moisture and loosening the soil.

It is recommended to feed the plant in the spring. At this time of year, manure, compost, and urea are added. In summer, seedlings need fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. In the fall, it is undesirable to apply any fertilizing.At this time of year, the tree is actively preparing for the winter. Fertilizers are applied only after thoroughly loosening the soil, watering, and removing weeds.

Pruning and crown formation

The tree needs to be pruned periodically to improve its growth. In the first year, pruning focuses only on creating a beautiful crown shape. When the fruiting period begins, it will be possible to remove much more excess branches. The plant will not suffer from this, and the fruits will become slightly larger. Pruning of branches should begin in the spring, even before the leaves appear.

Preparing for winter

A young tree that has not yet reached 5 years of age is rubbed with chalk before winter. Older plants are rubbed with lime. The soil is loosened and covered with manure. To protect against rodents, the seedling can be tied with branches of spruce trees.