Description and characteristics of the Paradise apple variety, planting, cultivation and care

Now the small apple of paradise is becoming popular again, which, with the advent of large-fruited varieties, turned out to be unclaimed and forgotten by gardeners. Breeders have developed many varieties of these unusual trees, which are grown not only as fruit trees, but also as ornamental ones. If you don’t go into history, you can mistake the raika for the latest development of specialists and decorate your garden with it.

History of appearance

Historically, all small-fruited varieties of this tree are called apples of paradise. Today, more than a hundred of its varieties are known. Most of all, summer residents fell in love with dwarf varieties, which are characterized by high productivity.

The basis for developing these varieties was the Nizkaya apple tree, whose distribution area is considered to be Central Asian and Southern European countries. Czech scientists made a great contribution to the selection of this species, who, based on the game, Katka and Champion, obtained a new product with excellent characteristics.

Pros and cons of the variety

The benefits of apples of paradise are:

• rich vitamin C content in fruits;
• universal use of the harvested crop;
• decorative properties of wood;
• durability;
• high frost resistance;
• excellent yield.

Among the disadvantages, experienced gardeners highlight only the small size of the fruits, which take a very long time to pick even from dwarf trees.

External description

Paradise apple trees are easy to recognize by their external distinctive characteristics.

Tree height and crown size

An adult tree of the same variety can vary significantly in size. It depends on the subspecies to which it belongs. Paradise apple trees are not tall. The crown of the paradise is medium or decomposed. Columnar types with a narrow and high crown are rare.

Root system

The root system of paradise apple trees goes deep into the ground, thanks to which in severe winter the tree does not need additional shelter and easily tolerates even the most severe cold.

Technical specifications

Different subspecies of paradise apples differ not only in appearance, but also in technical parameters.

Resistance to sub-zero temperatures

Certain subspecies of paradise easily tolerate frosts down to -40 ° C and blizzards, while others are sensitive to harsh climatic conditions and drafts.

Susceptibility to disease and infection

The apple of paradise differs from other types in its increased resistance to common diseases, in particular scab and powdery mildew.

Pollinator varieties

Most of the gardens are self-fertile, but it is better if other varieties of apple trees are planted on the site. In the process of cross-pollination, not only the yield increases, but also the taste and marketability of the harvested crop. In addition, paradise apple trees themselves act as excellent pollinators.

Ripening and fruiting

Fruiting of paradise apples occurs 4 years after the seedling is planted on the site. This applies to those cases where the tree was grafted onto a ready-made seed rootstock. If it was originally grown from a seed, then the process of fruit production may be delayed.

Raiki are considered summer apples, so ripening and harvesting occur in July-August.

Productivity and taste of apples

Paradise apples have an original taste that is in no way similar to the classic one. Light sourness and tartness set them apart from other similar fruits. The yield of an adult paradise apple tree is about 30 kg of ripe fruit. Depending on the subspecies, this indicator may vary slightly.

Use as a rootstock

Seedlings of paradise apple trees are widely used as a rootstock, on the basis of which dwarf or semi-dwarf trees are grown.

In which regions is it preferable to plant?

Due to their high frost resistance, rajka is grown in absolutely all regions of our country and neighboring countries:

• Ukraine;
• Kazakhstan;
• Belarus;
• Russia.

Features of growing “paradise apples”

There are some features that are taken into account when cultivating paradise on your site.

Preparation of young seedlings

Any corner of the garden, even partial shade or shade, is suitable for planting apple of paradise seedlings. The roots of a young tree should be strong, well developed, and branched. Mechanical damage to the barrel is unacceptable. Preference is given to seedlings with an unthickened crown. Depending on the selected subspecies, the branches are positioned vertically or bend, as if withering. Under no circumstances should the buds be dried out.

To plant a paradise apple tree, dig a hole in proportion to the size of the seedling's root system. He does not need to prepare the soil with a special composition. The young tree is simply placed in the hole, covered with soil, tamped down and watered well. It is advisable to drive a wooden support peg 60 cm high into the hole, to which the seedling is subsequently tied. As soon as the moisture is absorbed, the soil around the apple tree is mulched.

Disembarkation scheme and timing

Paradise apple trees are planted both in spring and autumn. In the spring, work is planned for mid-April - May, and in the autumn - for the month of October. The planting scheme for paradise apple trees depends on the selected subspecies. A distance of 4-5 meters is left between tall trees, and 2.5-3 meters between dwarf or columnar trees.The same gap is maintained between the areas and neighboring fruit trees or shrubs on the site.

Caring for young and mature trees

Proper care is the key to a rich and stable harvest.

Watering

Paradise apple trees do not need abundant watering. In dry summer conditions, they are irrigated once a week at the rate of 2-3 buckets of water per 1 adult tree.

Fertilizer

In the spring, as soon as the snow has melted, a complex mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen is applied to the circle around the trunk. During the period of ovary formation, the tree is fed with preparations containing magnesium and potassium. Organic matter, compost, and humus are also added.

Loosening the soil

Timely loosening of the soil after watering or heavy rainfall ensures a flow of oxygen to the roots and also prevents the development of fungal diseases. This is done carefully and not too deep, so as not to injure the roots located close to the surface of the earth.

Trimming

In the first few years of life, paradise apple trees undergo annual pruning of branches by 0.2-0.3 m. Also, every season the trees undergo sanitary pruning with the removal of dry, damaged, diseased or broken branches.

Seasonal prevention

Despite the increased resistance of paradise apple trees to major types of diseases, experienced gardeners recommend seasonal treatment with Bordeaux mixture. In spring and autumn, tree trunks are whitened with lime solution.

Shelter for the winter

In late autumn, when frosts begin, the trunk of the paradise apple tree is wrapped in moisture-permeable material. They do this to protect against rodents, which in the cold season are able to gnaw the bark of a tree and destroy it. The paradise does not need additional shelter from the cold for the winter.