Fruit trees are an indispensable attribute of any garden. Melba apple tree is considered an excellent fruit crop, the study of which will allow it to plant, grow and receive a rich harvest.
Melba apple-tree
Grade characteristics
The variety is grown in almost all areas. More resistant to frost is Red Melba.
Full ripening occurs in August-September. The first apple crop is harvested for 3-4 years.
Tree description
The height of the Melba apple tree on a semi-dwarf rootstock and in its usual form reaches 3-4 m, it is a mid-layer.
Bonsai - 2 m, but may be even lower.
- Up to 3 years, a crown is formed - at first it is columnar, with time it becomes mid-spreading, creeping, stretches in height, its diameter up to 7 m;
- In a semi-dwarf rootstock lives up to 20 years, a dwarf tree - 11-16 years old, on a seed rootstock - up to 54 years;
Fruit Description
According to the description, the fruits are yellow-green, with stripes of red. The flesh is pinkish-white. The taste is sweet and sour.
They are convenient to transport, they do not deteriorate and must be stored without processing for a long period.
Weight reaches 115-155 g. Calories - 52 kcal per 100 g.
Pollinators
According to the characteristics, the Melba apple tree needs additional pollinators.
Suitable for this:
- Antonovka;
- Suislepskoe;
- Borovinka;
- Stark Erlist;
- Bellefleur is Chinese.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety is characterized by high productivity
Melba has a number of advantages:
- early fruiting;
- rapid seedling growth;
- high productivity;
- beautiful flowering, pleasant aroma;
- strong fruits, high transportability, long-term storage;
- variety of applications, especially home-made apple processing for jam, marmalade, etc.
- useful composition of trace elements.
Among the shortcomings are:
- frost resistance is average;
- susceptibility to scab;
- low autonomy.
Landing
The timing
It is recommended to plant from the end of September to October 10 - this is the optimal period so that the tree can better adapt and take root more quickly. It is important to choose a warm day to avoid overcooling the seedling.
Site preparation and seedling
It is best planted in loamy soil.
In order for the plant to receive additional nutrition during the adaptation period, it is important to properly prepare the soil mixture:
- mix sand, peat, compost (3 kg each);
- the resulting mixture will need to fill the roots of the seedling when planting.
The day before planting, they dig a hole - a diameter of 1 m, a depth of 70-80 cm (but also focus on the size of the roots). It is abundantly poured with water (5-7 l). And leave for a day.
The seedling itself is also kept in water for a couple of days.
Technology
- The tips of the roots of the tree are cut by 0.5-1 cm, so that the seedling absorbs moisture and nutrients faster.
- The prepared pit is abundantly poured with water.
- A seedling is inserted vertically into the pit, the roots are sprinkled with pre-prepared soil mixture (if it is not enough, you can add soil from the same pit).
The root neck is left above the ground, more precisely at its level, the soil around the trunk is crushed. So that the seedling does not suffer from the wind, it is fixed - a wooden peg is inserted into the ground, near the trunk, and the trunk is tied to it.
Care
The tree needs good care
It is necessary to trim (remove dried and damaged branches) - it is better to do this in the spring, before the sap flow begins. This helps rejuvenate the tree.
It is recommended to shorten the trunk, its height will decrease by a third of the length, so growth is enhanced, branches are formed.
Top dressing
Melba is fed:
- in the fall, after the harvested crop - potassium chloride, compost;
- in spring, before flowering - superphosphate, ash, humus, potassium chloride are added to the soil around the trunk;
- in the summer - manure, urea, chicken droppings.
Watering
Waterlogging is contraindicated for apple trees. If there is a danger of groundwater approaching, drainage is used.
Watering is carried out carefully: one tree needs a bucket of water per week (in the summer).
Features of ripening and fruiting
The first year the apple tree does not bear fruit. But even if flowers appear, it is better to remove them immediately. Full fruiting occurs at 4-5 years.
In the first decade of June, the formation of flowers begins - during this period, the tree needs to be fed:
- mix chicken droppings and ash - 3 kg each, add 10 l. water and leave for 24 hours;
- the settled mixture must be thoroughly mixed, and then used.
The formation of fruits begins in 7-10 days. During the first 3 weeks, you can water the apple tree with a mixture of litter and wood ash.
The biological ripeness of the fruits occurs, on average, on September 10-15, but full-fledged - not earlier than the last decade of September.
The optimal time for harvesting is from September 20 to September 30, and in the northern regions the deadlines are 10-12 days.
Harvesting and Storage
When collecting fruits, it is not recommended to shake them off, as This variety is distinguished by delicate pulp. Damaged apples will have a minimum shelf life, and they look unattractive.
If the fruits are ripened unripe, they will lie longer. It is best to store the crop in a basement or cellar, the main thing is that the place is dry and cool.
Pests and diseases
The apple tree must be periodically treated from pests
Various insects harm Melbe:
- ticks, scale insects, bark beetles spoil the bark;
- aphids (eats juice);
- bugs, caterpillars eat leaves;
- moths destroy the fruit.
Before flowering, preventive pest control measures are carried out. Apple trees are treated with insect repellents, bleached trunks.
In winter, special materials having insulating properties are used to protect against rodents.
Among the preventive measures with scab are: sanitary pruning, top dressing, collecting fallen leaves, chemical treatment.
Growing regions
Melba grows best in the south.
In the northern regions, flowering occurs later than the specified dates, while the tree bears fruit not so intensively and fully lives no more than 8 years.
Grade Reviews
Gardeners appreciate this apple variety for its unpretentiousness and versatility.
In favor of Melba speak and high yields, and high-quality fruiting throughout the life of the tree, and good taste of the fruits.
The only serious disadvantage of this variety is the risk of infection with pests and diseases - but proper care will avoid this problem.
