Apple tree of Nedzvetskiy is one of the most beautiful varieties

Variety history

The history of the appearance of the variety in our area is rather unusual. Initially, an unnamed apple tree was found during a trip to China by Vladislav Efimovich Nedzvetsky. Near the city of Kashgar, in Xinjiang province, he noticed an unusually high, about 8 meters high, apple tree with beautiful, decorative leaves and unusually smooth bark. Vladislav Efimovich is known as an amateur botanist and it is not surprising that he was interested in an ornamental apple tree. Taking samples of the tree with him for reproduction, he handed them over to another biologist, Georg Dick. It was Georg Dick who grew the specimen in Kazakhstan, and then compiled a detailed description of the variety and registered it in the plant catalog under the name “Apple tree of Nedzvetskiy”.

Features and characteristics of the variety

The Nedzvetsky apple tree will decorate any garden plot. It is distinguished by spreading branches that form a spherical crown. Its branches are covered with purple-brown bark. In spring, the leaves that bloom on the branches are purple in color, however, over time they turn dark green, with a purple halo at the base. The apple tree blooms with large dark red buds with a strong aroma. When they bloom, they turn deep pink. The tree grows to a height of 8 meters and is covered with smooth bark without thorns.

Fruits are small, spherical, about 2-3 centimeters in diameter. The rind is deep purple with a purple hue and a clear waxy bloom. At the same time, the pulp tastes sour, pink-purple in color. Inside there are up to 9 seeds.

Seeds for subsequent planting must be stratified within 3-4 months, at a temperature of about +3 ° C. After that, they are suitable for planting, moreover, they germinate at a temperature of +10 ° C.

The Nedzvetsky apple tree belongs to frost-resistant varieties and, moreover, it is extremely unpretentious. Differs in high resistance to many diseases. Ripening occurs in late September - early October.

Planting and leaving

The description of the planting of the variety should begin with the fact that, despite the rather high resistance to diseases, it is important to carefully monitor its health.

When choosing a planting site, give preference to an open area with a low groundwater table. It is not recommended to grow the apple tree in wet or dry areas.

For planting, seedlings that have already turned two years old are suitable, and the rule “the older the better” does not work here, since from the third year of the seedling's life it loses its high adaptability and is more often sick. When making markings for planting, keep in mind that the crown of the trees is quite spreading, so there should be at least 6 meters of free space between the planting pits.

For landing, you need a hole at least a meter deep and 80-90 centimeters wide.The soil is recommended fertile, light, and it is best to mix it with humus, leafy earth, sand and 300 grams of superphosphate. All preparatory work is best done in the fall, on the eve of the first frost. Less commonly, apple trees are planted in the spring, before the buds bloom on the seedlings. In this case, you can grow the Nedzvetsky apple tree from stratified seeds. They are grown in a school for two years.

Whichever way you plant the apple trees, it is important that the root collar is at least 7 centimeters above ground level. Before planting, gently straighten the roots, being careful not to damage them, thoroughly cover them with soil, crushing each layer, and then water the planting hole abundantly. The next watering of the seedling will only be required after a week. For greater stability, it is recommended to tie up all the seedlings.

The apple tree of Nedzvetsky, as already noted, is rather unpretentious and does not require special care. In the first years of the seedling's growth, it is very important to carry out regular weeding, as well as water every month, bringing at least 3 buckets of water under each tree. If the summer is dry, then watering is increased, spending it every 2 weeks. At the same time, in order not to flood the tree, it is enough to know how old it is, and, depending on this figure, calculate how much water is needed. For example, 1 year of life equals 1 bucket of water. During fruiting, it is recommended to stop watering, as it will lead to cracking of the fruits and a decrease in their shelf life.

Formative pruning of the apple tree is practically not required, it is enough just to cut off in early spring (before the buds appear) the branches that grow inside the crown or those that have dried up.

Trees respond well to mulching the trunk circle. You can use sawdust, pine bark, walnut shells are often used.

You can't do without annual feeding. You can use both organic and mineral fertilizers. They are brought in twice a year:

• for the first time in spring, when warm weather sets in (it is recommended to combine it with the first watering);
• the second time in late summer to support the tree during fruiting.

Disease and pest control

It should be noted that this variety has a fairly high resistance to various diseases in comparison with other ornamental varieties. Therefore, in no case should you forget about preventive treatment with fungicides and insecticides. Also, care consists in whitewashing the trunks with garden lime and removing weeds from the trunk circle. The smooth bark of trees, in a sense, protects them from being preserved in the folds of the bark of fungal spores. Of course, at the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to remove the affected branches and process the sections.

When choosing fungicidal drugs, preference should be given to those that have a systemic effect, that is, they are capable of simultaneously leveling the harmful effects of powdery mildew, rust of leaves and shoots, as well as scab. These drugs include Skor, Topaz, Fitosporin.

Ornamental plants are no less susceptible to attacks by leaf-gnawing insects, so it is advisable not to skip annual treatments with insecticides such as Ekoberin, Zircon, or use any preparations based on Karbofos.

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