Content
For the past half century, the cultivation of apple trees on various rootstocks has been very popular, which makes it possible to further expand the sphere of growing apple trees, since not everyone is happy to see large tall trees in tiny areas. AND dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks allow you to have several varieties of apple trees in your garden, even for owners of summer cottages of six acres.
Especially interesting from this point of view are the so-called columnar apple trees. After all, these apple trees almost do not form the usual lateral branches, and the fruits ripen right on the trunk. Of course, it is difficult to pass by such a miracle without admiring it. But they should not be confused with dwarf apple trees. Since the columnar varieties arose as a result of a mutation that was caused by a lack of growth hormone. By fixing this mutation, breeders are able to create special columnar varieties of apple trees and other crops. Such varieties have many advantages - they practically do not need pruning, they are compact, beautiful, quite fruitful, winter-hardy, and even on a small piece of land you can plant several varieties at once with different ripening periods.
Columnar Apple tree Medoc is one of the most popular varieties, the description, photos and reviews of which you can study in this article. It has many of the advantages of columnar varieties and even lacks some of the disadvantages inherent in them. But first things first.
History of origin and description of the variety
In 1987, at the Moscow Institute of Horticulture, by sowing seeds from free pollination of the columnar donor KV 103, a new variety of apple was obtained. In 1993, the new variety received the number 385/342. After numerous tests in 1996, he received the official name Medoc, and began to multiply and spread throughout the country. The work on the selection of the variety and its testing was carried out under the guidance of Professor V.V. Kichina, and N.G. Morozov.
The apple variety itself belongs to medium-sized trees, it is characterized by a columnar form of growth, the tree reaches 2.2 meters in height. Since apple trees of this variety have a powerful growth force, they are especially successful in dwarf rootstocks mark and 62-396. The crown of the apple tree is very compact, does not exceed 25 cm in width, but is densely leafy. A maximum of 2-3 buds can be observed on the lateral branches.
The leaves are rather large, of a standard green color, elongated in shape with a pointed tip.
Due to this feature, trees tolerate both autumn and spring transplantation well and are not susceptible to disease. Apple trees of this variety also resist the invasion of various pests.
The Medoc apple blossoms quite early, depending on the planting region, from late April to mid-May. The sight of a mature tree completely covered in flowers from top to bottom is impressive and mesmerizing.
For all columnar varieties of apple trees, the main task is to preserve the apical bud, since it is she who is responsible for the columnar shape of the tree. That is why, despite the overall significant frost resistance of the Medoc variety - the root system can withstand up to -42 ° C - it is recommended to cover the trunk and top of the tree with insulation to protect it from freezing.If the top does freeze, then you must immediately replace it with one of the side ones.
All columnar varieties are fast-growing. The honeycomb apple tree is no exception. Flowers can appear on it in the first year after planting. But the tree is not recommended to start bearing fruit at such an early age. It is advisable to cut off the flowers. But next year you will be able to get a sufficient number of fruits. The maximum yield of the Medoc apple tree reaches about the fifth year of life, and it can be up to 8-10 kg of apples from one tree.
However, using intensive technology for caring for apple trees, this yield indicator can be doubled even more.
Apple tree Medoc refers to late summer or early autumn varieties in terms of ripening. It strongly depends on the climatic conditions of the area where this columnar variety grows. In the southern regions, where there is more sun and heat, apples ripen in August. In the northern regions, the harvest may be in September.
Fruit characteristics
The original view of the tree, strewn like a column from top to bottom with fruits, will not leave indifferent any gardener. But what about the apples themselves, does it make sense to grow them, or can the tree be used more for decorative purposes?
Apples of the Medoc variety have the following characteristics:
- The fruits cannot be attributed to small ones, on average, their weight is 150-200 grams, but there are individual specimens weighing up to 250 grams. The size of the fruit depends not so much on the age of the tree, but on the appropriate care for it: properly organized watering and feeding.
- The apples are round in shape.
- The fruits have a fairly uniform white-yellow saturated color, without spots and streaks.
- The pulp is juicy, white, has a coarse-grained structure.
- The very name of the variety speaks of the high taste of apples. Sweet fruits have a pronounced honey flavor. The aroma is light, almost imperceptible.
- The shelf life of fruits, like most summer varieties, is short - about a month.
- The Medoc variety is universal in use - it is good both fresh and in the form of numerous preparations for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Medoc columnar apple variety has many advantages that make it desirable for planting in almost any garden plot. Among the advantages are the following:
- The variety is very frost-hardy - it can withstand up to -42 ° C, that is, it can be grown even in the regions of Siberia, where the standard of unpretentiousness - Antonovka can suffer from freezing.
- A good, strong but compact root system that increases the tree's resistance on the one hand and allows it to be grown even in containers on the other.
- The apple tree is self-fertile and early fertile.
- The variety is highly resistant to various diseases and pests.
- Apples have excellent taste and are suitable for dietary and baby food.
Like every variety, Medka also has a number of disadvantages:
- Small shelf life of fruits - only a month.
- The Medoc apple tree, like most columnar varieties, is capable of bearing fruit only for 12-16 years.
Features of growing and care
Planting a seedling of the Medoc apple tree can be done both in the autumn and in the spring. Be sure to leave the grafting site above the soil surface when planting. Columnar apple trees of this variety can be planted in rows with a distance between trees and rows of 40 or 50 cm.
By the way, sowing some flowers, such as marigolds and calendula, can scare off many pests of the apple tree.
All columnar apple trees, and Medoc is no exception, need regular maintenance. Watering should be done at least twice a week. Top dressing should also be regular, starting from the spring awakening of the buds and before flying around the leaves.
Warming and wrapping the trunk with sacking for the winter is very desirable, especially in the northern regions. In Siberia, it is advisable to wrap the whole tree for the winter in order to avoid freezing of the apical bud.
Reviews of gardeners about the Medoc variety
Reviews of summer residents and gardeners cannot but pay tribute to the beauty and uniqueness of the appearance of the Medoc apple tree. Do not forget about the early harvest and the taste of apples.
Columnar apple trees captivate with many invaluable qualities. But in the Medoc variety, everyone will find for themselves something valuable or useful, or beauty, or taste, or early maturity, or unpretentiousness.
