Apple tree what breeds of dwarf how to call. dwarf apple trees

Low-growing apple trees attract gardeners with their compactness, high yield and disease resistance. And if the size of the plot is small, then there is no better option for organizing a mini-garden.

Usually, an apple tree is represented as a tall and mighty tree with a spreading crown, which casts a shadow on almost half of the plot. However, the apple tree reaches such sizes by the age of 15-20, and even then not always. Even within the same variety, an apple tree can grow, or it can remain a dwarf tree. It turns out that the "growth" of the tree depends on rootstock. It acts as the foundation of a future apple tree, its choice affects the duration of the productive period of the tree, the timing of its entry into the fruiting and ripening phases, the taste, appearance and size of the fruit, as well as the duration of their storage.

An apple cultivar can be grafted onto a vigorous or dwarf rootstock. Depending on this, the tree will also be either tall, with a massive crown, or undersized, based on a trellis. However, there are varieties that are natural "dwarfs", i.e. even on an ordinary stock, their height does not exceed 3 m. One of the most popular are the following varieties of dwarf apple trees.

Bratchud

The full name of this winter variety sounds like "Brother Wonderful", it is suitable for cultivation in all climatic zones. The tree is a natural "dwarf" with a flat-rounded crown up to 3 m in diameter. Fruit size usually does not exceed average values. Their distinguishing feature is the presence of a small seam in the form of a strip. The skin is dry, with a glossy sheen. The main color of the fruit is greenish-yellow, later a purple blush appears. The pulp of ripe fruits is white, coarse-grained. It cannot be called juicy, but the taste remains pleasant. The variety is high-yielding, transportable, with a long shelf life.

Carpet

Autumn variety of apples. The crown of the tree is horizontal, drooping shape. The size of the fruit exceeds the average value and can reach 200 g. The fruits are flat-round, their main color is greenish-yellow, subsequently saturated with a red blush. The pulp is creamy, coarse-grained and low-juicy, moderately aromatic, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The variety has a stable high yield. During a long winter, lower branches can break off under the weight of snow.

Legend

Early winter variety. A tree with a dense spherical crown and compactly arranged shoots. The fruits are slightly ribbed, grow quite large, resemble a truncated cone in shape. The main color of the apples is greenish with a yellow tint, as they ripen, the fruits turn red. Occasionally, burgundy stripes appear on their surface. The flesh is white, creamy, juicy, fine-grained with a strong aroma. The taste of fruits is sweet, caramel. The advantages of the variety are frost resistance and immunity to most pests and diseases.

Moscow red

High yielding winter variety. The tree is low with a compact spherical crown. The fruits are rounded, without ribs. The main color of the fruit is greenish-yellow, as it ripens it acquires a bright yellow hue. By the time the fruit is harvested, a rich red blush appears on the surface. The flesh is yellowish, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The variety is resistant to scab and other diseases, the fruits and leaves remain healthy throughout the entire ripening period.

undersized

The trees are short, the branches grow at right angles to the trunk. The fruits are medium in size, round in shape, with large, well-marked ribs. The color of the fruits is greenish-yellow, as they ripen, red stripes appear on their surface, merging into a continuous blush. The pulp is greenish in color, dense, fine-grained, juicy, with a sour-sweet aftertaste. The variety is winter-hardy, early-growing, high-yielding. However, in rainy summers, the leaves are affected by scab.

Snowdrop

Slate apple tree with predominantly horizontal branches. Young trees bear fruit almost every year. The fruits are medium in size, although there are specimens weighing 300 g. Their shape is round-conical with small ribs. The main color of the fruit is light yellow, later they become covered with a dark red blush. The flesh is light white, very juicy and tasty. The fruits are consumed both fresh and used for making jams, marmalades and compotes. The consumer and harvesting maturity of apples are the same, so they can be consumed immediately after harvesting.

mundane

The branches of the tree during the growth period begin to grow horizontally, almost parallel to the ground, while their ends are bent upwards. The fruits are regular and round in shape, their size is slightly smaller than average. The main color of the apple is greenish-yellow, as it ripens, a red blush appears, which occupies the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe apple. The flesh is greenish, dense, very juicy and rich. The fruits are sweet and sour in taste, suitable for making jams and preserves. The tree withstands frosts down to -40°C, while bearing fruit annually.

early sweet

The tree is low-growing with a flat-rounded crown. Bears fruit annually. Fruits are flat-round medium size. The main color is light yellow. The flesh is white and sweet, with a slight creamy tint. Winter hardiness and resistance to scab are very high.

Sokolovskoe

Winter variety, bred relatively recently. The fruits are larger than average, flat-round. The shiny skin is usually greenish-yellow in color, as the apple ripens, it becomes covered with an expressive dark red blush. The pulp is creamy, dense and juicy, fine-grained. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour with a pleasant aftertaste. They are consumed fresh and used to make jams, marmalades and compotes. The Sokolovskoe variety is a natural "dwarf" with a high yield, but insufficient resistance to summer heat and frost.

Sun

Late autumn variety with immunity to scab, bred more than 20 years ago. The crown is rounded, not very thickened. The fruits grow within medium size, the shape is oblong-oblique, the skin is smooth and oily. The main color of the fruits is greenish-yellow, as they ripen, they turn yellow, and a raspberry blush appears on them. The pulp is white, with rare cream inclusions, juicy and dense. Apples of sweet and sour taste, with a rich aftertaste. Winter hardiness and productivity of the variety are high.

wonderful

The tree is undersized (natural "dwarf"), the crown is formed in a horizontal plane, almost spreading along the ground. The fruits are large, more than average in size, some weigh up to 200 g. The shape of the apples is flat-round, the main color is yellow-green, as it ripens, a rich bright red blush appears. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, with a fine-grained structure, sour-sweet in taste, with a pleasant aftertaste. The grade differs in the increased winter hardiness and resistance to a scab.

How do dwarf apple trees differ from the rest

Differences between tall and dwarf trees become noticeable even at the stage of choosing one or another seedling. When buying, dwarf seedlings can be distinguished by external signs. For example, along large buds at the ends of branches or a fibrous root system with small roots. Tall apple trees, by comparison, have a rod-shaped root system.

The roots of dwarf apple trees lie shallow, so such trees can be planted in areas with a groundwater level above 1-1.5 m.

In the garden, dwarf apple trees are always easy to distinguish by their compact size, neat crown and regular fruiting. These trees reach a height of 2-3 m and begin to produce crops in the third year.

Are dwarf and columnar apple trees the same thing?

Columnar apple trees are often confused with dwarf apple trees. However, these are two different forms of fruit trees. Dwarf apple trees are low trees with a spreading crown that can reach a diameter of 3 m. Columnar apple trees have a well-defined trunk with short side branches. In shape, it resembles a column, in the upper part and along which fruits grow. In order not to make a mistake when choosing a seedling, pay attention to the following signs:

the columnar apple tree grows in one trunk, with virtually no side branches;
the root system of a dwarf apple tree is fibrous (in a columnar one it is pivotal), the more elastic it is, the healthier the tree.

Dwarf varieties of apple trees are designed for small areas, with a close location of groundwater. They take up little space, quickly bear fruit and give a bountiful harvest. The fruits of undersized apple trees are stored for a long time, have a marketable appearance and have a pleasant taste and aroma. Be sure to plant them in your garden to appreciate all the advantages of plants.

Ripe juicy apples picked in your garden are much tastier than those bought at the market or in the supermarket. After all, growing apple trees, the gardener puts his soul into this difficult task. But quite often it happens that the varieties that our neighbors or friends liked are not suitable for planting on our site. Most often, this is due to the small area of free land. Every year, breeders bring out new varieties so that we can make our wishes and dreams come true. On small plots, you can plant dwarf apple trees, which are not inferior in their qualities to tall counterparts.

Features of growing dwarf apple trees

The process of planting and caring for mini versions of fruit trees is little different from other species. But some nuances still exist. For example, it is unlikely that it will be possible to bring out a dwarf variety from a regular variety on your own. If we plant an apple tree for the first time in our lives, we should not suffer with vaccinations and reproduction, it is better to purchase seedlings in gardening centers or in the bird market.

Do apple trees differ from different rootstocks

What is a dwarf rootstock? Why are varieties with the same name considered dwarf, semi-dwarf, or medium-sized? Let's try to deal with these questions that arise in any novice gardener.

To get a new apple tree, the seedling must be grafted. A branch of a certain variety that needs to be grafted to a tree is a scion. The place to which the cutting is transferred is the stock. Allocate:

clonal stock (vegetative cultivation);
seed (an apple tree is grown from a seed).

Thus, the same variety can be bred on a dwarf rootstock, and on any other. When grown, for example, on seed, the same varieties of Melba, Golden Delicious, Kovalenkovskoye and others have the characteristics of tall or medium-sized apple trees. They, grafted on dwarf, acquire the qualities of dwarf trees.

Breeders are constantly working to create "real dwarfs" that do not require grafting.

Important! When buying seedlings, you need to ask the seller on which stock the variety is grown.

How to choose a seedling

The tree should be healthy, with a well-developed root system. When buying, we inspect the roots for damage. Branches should not be dry. Vaccination is mandatory. If there is no vaccination, then we are dealing with a wild apple tree. But there are other points by which you can distinguish a variety from a wild:

Planting and caring for trees in spring

Dwarf apple trees, like ordinary ones, are planted in open ground in autumn and spring. We plant during the period of "hibernation" of plants, when the earth has already warmed up a little, but the tree buds have not yet blossomed. Gardeners advise preparing holes for seedlings in the fall so that fertilizers are absorbed into the soil and the soil is compacted. If it was not possible to prepare the place in advance, proceed as follows:

We dig a hole 60–70 cm deep. Its diameter should be at least 60 cm.
We stick a wooden stake into the landing pit.
Add fertile soil to the hole.
Pour 0.5 kg of ash, a bucket of humus and 0.5 kg of superphosphate. Mix with soil.
Cover with fertile soil. The layer thickness should be 2–3 cm so that the roots of the apple tree do not touch the fertilizer.
We lower the seedling into the pit, straighten the roots.
The vaccine should be above the ground at a height of 3-4 cm.
We compact the soil after planting apple trees.
Pour 2-3 buckets of water under each tree.
We mulch the soil with humus.

Caring for dwarf trees is easy:

The root system is located in the upper layers of the soil, so we make sure that the soil does not crack, does not dry out. After watering, we loosen the earth no deeper than 5 cm.
At the beginning of spring, we whitewash the trees with lime.
Once every 2 weeks we feed with complex fertilizers: azofoska, ecofoska or any other.
In the spring, apple trees also need nitrogen and phosphorus top dressing. You can use wood ash, urea, nitrophoska. Fertilizers are applied according to the instructions on the package.

Video: planting a dwarf apple tree on an M-9 rootstock

Mandatory procedures in summer and autumn

Care in the hot season consists in loosening the soil and watering. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out and does not crack. As for planting dwarf apple trees in autumn, it is similar to spring. In autumn, the following procedures must be carried out:

We cut off the old and crossing branches of the tree.
We loosen the soil so that pests cannot overwinter at the roots.
As a preventive measure, we spray apple trees with Bordeaux liquid (1%).
For the winter, we cover the soil around the tree with a thick layer of humus so that the apple trees do not freeze out during the snowless period.

Video: we form a dwarf crown

Top dressing of apple trees

In spring, many plants lack nitrogen and phosphorus. Dwarf apple trees are no exception. We can use mineral complex fertilizers containing the necessary substances, including potassium.

Action plan:

Fertilizers are dissolved in 10 liters of water according to the instructions on the package.
We make small holes in the soil, as if pushing apart the layers of the earth with a shovel. We pour fertilizer into them.
Then we cover the trunk circle with mulch. You can use recycled peat mixed with humus, sawdust, compost.

We carry out feeding according to the plan:

In the spring, after the soil has warmed up.
During the flowering period. We use organic fertilizers: peat, compost, chicken manure.
While pouring fruit. For one adult apple tree we take mullein (3 kg) and warm water (30 l).
After the harvest. We need nitrophoska (150 g) and warm water (30 l).

Video: features of spring feeding

Overview of common dwarf apple varieties

The main difference is that the diameter of the crown is not more than three meters. Quite often they are confused with columnar varieties.

When buying seedlings it is really easy to confuse. For example, Melba, grafted onto a dwarf stock, is very similar to a columnar apple tree up to three years old. In adult columnar trees, the crown consists of a single trunk, on which fruits grow. Dwarf apple trees have a branched crown.

Distinguishing seedlings in the market or in the garden center is quite simple: in a dwarf apple tree, the trunk and roots branch out. The columnar has no branches on the trunk, and the root has the shape of a rod.

The best dwarf varieties of apple trees

The generally accepted classification is according to the fruit ripening period. Allocate:

Early varieties (fruits ripen in summer). This is:
- Candy;
- Early sweet;
- Melba;
- Golden Delicious.
Mid-season varieties (ripe in early autumn):
- Sun;
- Sokolovskoe;
- mundane.
Late-ripening (harvested before winter) include:
- Bogatyr;
- Carpet;
- Snowdrops.

Dwarf varieties are subdivided according to cold resistance, taste:

sour;
sweet;
dessert.

Table: popular varieties for the Moscow region and Central Russia

Photo gallery: apples of dwarf universal varieties

The fruits of Grushevka near Moscow are small, yellow with red stripes and specks, the taste is sweet and sour Arbat apples of a beautiful wine color “with frost”, very juicy and fragrant, sweet, there is a spicy sourness The Moscow Necklace variety is high-yielding, apples are saturated red, juicy, dessert (sweet) Melba apples have a wonderful candy smell and have a sweet and sour taste, you can eat it just like that or use it in cooking Bogatyr fruits are really heroic, especially for such a small tree, the taste is sweet and sour, the aroma is dizzying neat, round, with a beautiful striped color and a real dessert taste: better than sweets Autumn striped apples (Striefel, Shtreifling) are valued for their dense juicy pulp and sweet spicy taste Belarusian sweet apples will definitely be appreciated by lovers of sweet fruits: the taste is clean, without sourness and astringency, notes of honey

The best varieties for Belarus

Gardeners in Belarus prefer to choose cold-resistant and high-yielding varieties for their plots, such as:

Kovalenkovo. The variety is frost-resistant, mid-season, has a high yield. The fruits are dark green, have a red blush on the sides, weight up to 170 g. Apples tolerate transportation well.
Belarusian sweet is considered a semi-dwarf variety. By the age of eight, the tree reaches a height of 3–3.5 m. High-yielding, frost-resistant - it easily tolerates temperatures as low as -36 degrees. From a three-year-old tree, you can collect up to 35 kg of apples. The average fruit weight is 160-170 g, the color is greenish-yellow.
Darunok. This is a variety of Belarusian selection, reaches a height of four meters. Late-ripening and frost-resistant, it easily tolerates temperature changes, spring frosts. High-yielding: more than 35 tons of apples are harvested from 1 ha. The fruits are green and wine-colored, with a high sugar content (9%), juicy. The skin is thin, elastic. Darunok is resistant to diseases, including scab.
Memory of Syubarova. A variety of late ripening, frost-resistant, high-yielding: more than 20 tons of apples are harvested from 1 ha. The fruits are light green in color with a reddish blush. The average weight is 130–140 g. The pulp is juicy, sweet and sour in taste. The variety is resistant to scab.

Photo gallery: Belarusian apple trees

Dwarf varieties of apple trees for the Urals and Siberia

Every year the number of varieties grows inexorably, and it becomes more and more difficult to make a choice for your personal plot. In the Urals and Siberia, gardeners are trying to grow tall apple trees. They have a more powerful root system, they are resistant to severe frosts. But there are several varieties that have been adopted by local gardeners. These are Melba, Bogatyr, Moscow necklace, Silver hoof, Earthy and Snowdrop.

Variety Snowdrop. Trees grow up to two meters, winter-hardy. Apples are designed for long-term storage. They lie in cellars and cellars for up to four months. The fruits are medium in size with a high sugar content (9.2%), have a yellow color with a reddish blush. Snowdrop begins to bear fruit at the age of three years. The variety requires pollinators. The best for him are considered Ground and Carpet. A distinctive feature is high productivity: up to 80 kg of apples can be harvested from one bush. The variety is zoned for the Urals and Western Siberia.
mundane. Bred in the Southern Urals. The maximum tree height is 2.5 m. Winter-hardy variety. Often subject to scab. The earthy one begins to bear fruit two years after grafting, it has a high yield: up to 130 kg of apples can be harvested from one tree. The fruits are greenish-yellow, with a deep red blush. The flesh of these sweet and sour apples is juicy, with a slight greenish tinge. One of the best pollinators for this variety is Kovrovoe. The variety is zoned for the Urals.
Carpet. This apple tree grows up to only two meters. Winter-hardy variety, zoned for the Urals and Siberia. Fruiting begins three years after vaccination. Productivity is high: up to 60 kg of fruit can be harvested from one apple tree. Scab resistant. The best pollinators are Snowdrop and Ground.
Silver hoof. The variety was bred by the Ural breeder L.A. Kotov, named after the fairy tale of the same name by the writer P.P. Bazhov. Zoned in 1988 for the Urals and Western Siberia. Currently grown in the north of our country and Kazakhstan. Trees reach a height of three to four meters. Frost-resistant self-fertile variety, needs pollination. The mass of one fruit is usually 80–90 g. The apples are rich cream in color, with a red or orange blush on the side. The pulp is juicy, tastes sweet and sour, creamy in color. The harvest begins in mid-August.

Interestingly, varieties zoned for the Urals and Siberia, such as Snowdrop and Earthy, are popular in Ukraine. Gardeners value them primarily for frost resistance. After all, the temperature here can drop to -30-38 degrees.

Video: dwarf apple trees for the gardens of the Urals

Semi-dwarf varieties of apple trees

In addition to dwarf trees, there are also semi-dwarf apple trees. What is the difference between these varieties? Apple trees grafted onto a semi-dwarf rootstock, lower than dwarfs, are resistant to various diseases. Their height reaches only two or three meters. These trees begin to bear fruit in the second year after grafting. Apples are large, juicy and sweet. The best semi-dwarf apple trees include:

Selection novelties

Recently, breeders have been working tirelessly to create new fruit trees. They do not need to be grafted onto a dwarf rootstock, they are natural dwarfs, more compact than their predecessors. The fruits of natural low-growing apple trees are large in size. Creating new varieties takes time, but breeders can already please us with the following options:

Moscow necklace;
Autumn striped;
mundane;
Carpet;
Snowdrop.

Some of these varieties are zoned, others can be grown in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other regions.

Reviews of gardeners

The creation of full-fledged dwarf apple trees has been of concern to breeders since ancient times. The main goal of the experiments is still the formation of a miniature tree with large fruits and high yields. Perhaps soon breeders will be able to develop a variety that will become ideal for most gardeners.

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The arrangement of a country garden begins with the selection of a place and the selection of seedlings of the desired trees. The first, of course, on this list are apple trees. These are the most common fruit trees in the backyard. Relatively recently, a dwarf apple tree was bred. Varieties of this unusual tree are gaining more and more popularity among gardeners.

What are dwarf apple trees? These are trees that have a compact crown and grow no more than 4 m in height. At the same time, they bear fruit profusely. The thin tree trunk is very strong and can support the relatively large weight of its fruit. You need to be careful when choosing a seedling of dwarf apple trees. It is somewhat different from the seedlings of large trees.

At the ends of the branches there should be large buds, and the root system should be fibrous with many small roots (most of the seedlings of ordinary apple trees have a tap root system).

In a small area, you can concentrate a lot of seedlings and get a fairly good harvest. Between the trees, you can leave a space of no more than 1.5 m. In addition, a large apple tree begins to fully bear fruit only after 10 years, and a dwarf one can produce a crop for 2-4 years. The life cycle of one dwarf tree is about 15-20 years, but in terms of yield it is in no way inferior to a 40-year-old giant. You can buy dwarf varieties of apple trees from specialized enterprises. Breeders note the high quality of such seedlings.

The undeniable advantage is that harvesting is greatly simplified due to the parameters of the tree. The top of dwarf varieties can be reached from a small ladder.

It should be noted that, based on biological characteristics, small growth contributes to better nutrition and saturation of the fruits themselves. The tree spends most of its resources on the development of the fruit.

The root system is located almost under the soil surface, so the applied fertilizer and moisture are mastered very quickly. This explains such a rapid flowering and fruiting of the apple tree on a dwarf rootstock. Varieties of these fruit trees, due to such a close placement of roots to the soil surface, may be affected by winter frosts. Experienced summer residents recommend covering the soil around these trees with a ball of straw for the winter.

What varieties of dwarf apple trees are better to choose for your country garden?

Apple trees of dwarf varieties are subdivided according to some features and ripening periods:

Early (summer). Melba, Candy, Wonderful, Golden Delicious, Early sweet.
Medium (autumn). Mundane, Sokolovskoe, Sunshine.
Late (winter). Carpet, Snowdrops, Bogatyr.

The rootstocks of each of these groups are also heterogeneous. Characteristics can be expressed in all seedlings, regardless of the ripening period. Distinguish:

Vigorous apple trees grown from seed. Such seedlings are called seed stock.
Grafted varieties. The characteristic features of these apple trees is the average height of the trunk. Some summer residents call them semi-dwarf. You can also see the classification under the dwarf designation in reference books.

Also, dwarf apple trees are classified by taste (dessert, sweet, sour), as well as by resistance to cold and degree of sensitivity to warm climates.

The best varieties of apple trees on a dwarf rootstock:

Candy. As summer residents note, this is one of the most delicious and fragrant early varieties of dwarf apple trees. The ripening period is the end of July. The mass of one fruit can reach up to 130 g. The external signs of the fruit are rounded, green peel with a slightly dark color, juicy and soft pulp.
Melba. Summer, high-yielding, sweet variety that gives fruits already in the 3rd year of vegetation. Apples are medium in size, juicy flesh and pleasant aroma. On the sunny side of the tree, on the peel, there may be stripes of a yellowish-green hue with red sides. Summer residents collect the first fruits in July-August. This variety of dwarf apple tree for the Moscow region is very popular (see photo).
Autumn striped. One of the largest varieties. The weight of one apple can reach 210 g. Their rich sweet and sour taste will suit every gourmet. The fruits keep very well. The best conditions are the temperature regime up to + 60C. The outer color is bright yellow. Experts recommend covering the area around the tree with mulch for the winter. Tree crowns also require protection from severe frosts. Polyurethane insulation in the form of a thin film is best suited for this.
Moscow necklace. This is the best variety of dwarf apple trees (see photo and description), which was recently bred by breeders. Differs in bright, red skin, gentle pink shade of pulp and juicy content. Great for making fresh juices. Fruits are sweet and sour in taste. The weight of one is about 120-140 g. It bears fruit, actively, starting from 3 years after planting the seedling. Refers to autumn varieties. Harvested in mid-October.
Grushevka Moscow region. To the question of which dwarf apple trees (varieties) to buy in the Moscow region, the answer is obvious - only Grushevka of the Moscow region. These are apple trees on a dwarf stock of winter ripening. Ideal for growing in local climates. Some summer residents also grow them in the middle latitudes. The beginning of active fruiting falls on the 5th year after landing on the main place. The shape of the fruit is slightly elongated. The peel has red dots, and the main color is yellow. It is noteworthy that this variety is resistant to scab, root rot and other dangerous diseases.
Arbat. Mid-winter variety of dwarf apple (see photo). It resembles a columnar apple tree in shape, but refers specifically to dwarf trees. The apples themselves have a bright, burgundy hue, and their weight reaches an average of up to 110 g. A remarkable property of this variety is a long shelf life (up to 9 months). Some summer residents like to use these trees as hedges in the landscape design of the garden and summer cottage as a whole.
Bogatyr. Dwarf apple trees for Siberia. Varieties like this one can often be found in the Urals. They endure frost and other difficult conditions of climate change. The main distinguishing feature is a rather spreading crown. The tree branches heavily. To form a beautiful crown, it is necessary to carry out timely cleaning and pruning. As for the fruits, they are slightly elongated. Color red-yellow. The taste is sweet and sour.

In addition to the above, summer residents also distinguish dwarf apple trees for the middle lane (Zhigulevskoye, No. 134, Bratchud). Particular attention should be paid to the variety of dwarf apple trees Bratchud (they are also called Brother Wonderful). This is a fairly versatile variety that is suitable for growing in the middle lane and for the Urals.

Recently, more and more attention of gardeners has been focusing on dwarf varieties of apple trees, which, of course, have a number of advantages compared to the classic varieties of apple trees. They are:

take up less space in the garden;
better tolerate winter;
harvesting is much more convenient;
as well as caring for them.

To choose the right variety for this type of apple tree, you need to understand what are the nuances in caring for them what to avoid, what to be prepared for and how to create the best conditions for growing them.

general characteristics

Apple trees are considered dwarf, the height of which does not exceed 2.5, and the root system has a fibrous structure, which is located in a meter layer of soil.

This fact is used by gardeners, in a plot with a close occurrence of groundwater that can damage the deep-lying roots of trees.

All varieties of dwarf apple trees can be divided into groups, depending on when the fruits are fully ripe:

summer type;
autumn type;
winter type.

Varieties of dwarf apple trees

Candy

Very early variety, apples ripen in the first week of August. The apple tree is of excellent quality with fragrant round fruits covered with rich green skin and strong crispy flesh. The average fruit weight is 125 g.

Candy tolerates frost and sudden changes in temperature.

Important! If frosts nevertheless damage the aerial part of the tree, then it tends to recover very soon and resume fruiting.

Candy.

Read more about the Candy apple tree in this article.

Melba

It is a popular, widespread variety, with the first among dwarf varieties that have received recognition from breeders.

Attracts gardeners with its precocity(1st harvest can be taken in the 3rd year after planting), excellent yield(up to 145 - 150 kg of fruits from one tree) and unpretentiousness, however, it is worth noting medium resistance to scab pathogens and severe frosts.

Apples ripen in the first half of August, medium-sized fruits(average weight 155 g), rounded in shape, covered with a delicate skin, on which there is a raspberry blush.

Inside the fruit is snow-white, tender, pleasant in structure, very fragrant. The taste is sweet, with a special caramel aftertaste.

You can learn more about the Melba apple tree here.

Moscow necklace

Enough new variety, instantly loved by fruit growers for its large tasty apples, which reach full maturity in October and early fruiting: the primary harvest can be seen already in the 3rd year after the tree is placed on the site. The apple tree is resistant to the scab pathogen, tolerates frost well.

enlarged, aligned, average weight - 173 g;
spherical regular shape;
covered with loose wine-red skin;
have an amazing aroma, fragile and juicy structure;
The taste is sweet and sour, with an unobtrusive sourness.

After harvest can be stored up to 100 days.

Moscow necklace.

You can read more about the Moscow Necklace apple tree here.

wonderful

The height of this tree is from 1.6 to 2 m, depending on the type of rootstock, the crown is sweeping, with falling branches, falling even lower under weight large fruits (average weight 210 g).

The fruits are spherical, slightly flattened in the center, leveled, covered with a thin yellow-green skin. apple has classic dessert taste, with a barely noticeable sourness, a pleasant texture.

Important! One of the most important advantages of this variety is that the apple tree perfectly tolerates stagnant water.

You will learn more about the Chudnoe variety from this article.

Sokolovskoe

Belongs to the category natural dwarfs, its height is 1.1 - 2 m, irregular fruiting, begins in the 4th year after planting. Yield 55 -65 kg per tree.

The fruits are flattened-spherical, covered with a delicate, but dense glossy dry skin of a yellowish hue, by the time of ripening covered with crimson large strokes. under the skin the apple is granular, dense, cream-colored, fragrant, with a sweet and sour taste.

Winter hardiness is average, too low temperatures in winter can damage fruit buds. Long-term drought in summer negatively affects the taste characteristics of apples.

Sokolovskoe.

Read more about the Sokolovskoye apple tree in this article.

Zhigulevskoe

undersized tree, very quickly entering the fruiting period, the fruits are ready for harvest in September, have a round shape. From above they are covered with a dense thin peel of a yellow-green hue, by the time of full ripeness it is covered with raspberry vertical stains.

Taste characteristics are excellent yield tends to increase from year to year.

The variety is resistant to pathogens of fungal diseases and the influence of pests, winter hardiness above average.

Zhigulevskoe.

You can learn more about the Zhigulevskoye apple tree here.

Snowdrop

This type of apple genetic dwarfs, reaches a height of 1.5 m, refers to slate. It is very fast-growing, the first crop can be harvested 3 years after planting.

The yield is high, but over time, an implicit periodicity may appear.

High drought tolerance and frost tolerance, the apple tree is able to withstand low temperatures down to -40°C.

medium in weight, which varies from 135 g to 173 g;
the shape is rounded-elongated;
on top of the apples, a thin peel is covered, dry and smooth, of a pale yellow hue with raspberry-pink strokes around the perimeter of the fruit;
apple pulp is juicy and crunchy, sweet and sour, fragrant.

The fruits are ready for harvest in early September, are universal in purpose, can be stored up to four months.

Snowdrop.

You can read more about the Snowdrop apple tree here.

Carpet

Autumn stunted tree, recommended for cultivation in the Ural and West Siberian regions, has amazing frost resistance and resistance to the influence of pathogens of fungal diseases.

Carpet characterized by precociousness, the first harvest should be expected after 3 - 4 years after vaccination, the yield is high (64 kg per tree), but over time periodicity may be observed.

The fruits are enlarged, average weight - 155 - 160 g, have a spherical, slightly flattened shape, covered with a soft delicate skin of a yellow-green color, with a cover bright scarlet blush.

The inner part is dryish, with active granularity, beige.

The purpose of the harvest is processing and fresh consumption.

Apples can be stored in a cool place for up to one and a half months.

Carpet.

You will learn more about the Kovrovoe variety from this article.

Bratchud

The apple tree of the Chelyabinsk selection belongs to the natural stlanets. The apple tree is medium-late (harvest - mid-September), the fruits are medium (145 - 165 g), round, slightly elongated with implicit ribbing. The peel is smooth, glossy, dry, olive green in color with an unobtrusive blush.

Inside apple of an active white shade, medium-grained, not juicy, sour-sweet taste with a pleasant aroma. Fruits are subject to storage for up to 4 months, transportability is satisfactory.

Variety distinguished by resistance to frost. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the rather weak resistance to scab pathogens.

Read more about the Bratchud apple tree in this article.

mundane

Large-fruited early-ripening variety, characterized by excellent yield (up to 135 kg per apple tree), the first harvest can be obtained three years after planting the tree in the ground.

The fruits are large, weight on average 145 g, spherical shape. The apple is covered with a dense thin fragrant green peel, by the time of ripeness it is covered with a beautiful even blush, the taste is sweet and sour, which received a high tasting rating.

Important! This variety has excellent scab resistance and high frost resistance.

mundane.

You can learn more about the earthy apple tree here.

Legend

This the variety of low-growing baby apple trees is early winter(collection can be carried out from the beginning of October), enters the fruiting phase in the 3rd year after planting in the garden.

The fruits are slightly ribbed, round, somewhat elongated, the main color of the strong thin skin is light green-yellow, the integumentary color is bright crimson with deep maroon vertical stripes. Inner part juicy, white with cream patches, with a clear apple smell and dessert taste. Fruit weight can vary from 175 g to 200 g.

After harvest can be saved for 90 days.

Moscow red

Variety with excellent yield, late fruiting(the crop is harvested in the first decade of October), it is highly resistant to scab pathogens and other diseases, winter hardiness and frost resistance are satisfactory.

The fruits are smooth, round, the peel is strong, but thin, green in color, by the time of ripening, a raspberry continuous integumentary blush appears on the side. The weight of apples is 135 - 185 g.

After ripening and picking apples can be stored up to 120 days.

Moscow red.

undersized

Important! A significant minus is that undersized in a rainy summer can be infected

The fruits of this apple tree are round, slightly flattened in the center, medium-sized, covered with a smooth glossy yellow-green skin. By the period of removal of the hearths, it is covered with wide crimson stripes almost along the entire perimeter of the apple.

The pulp is crisp, dense, white-green in color, sour and very juicy with a classic apple smell.

Undersized.

Read more about the apple tree Low-growing in this article.

Sun

This variety is late autumn (collection is carried out towards the end of September), characterized by immunity to scab pathogens, excellent frost resistance and quite satisfactory yield.

The fruits are medium-sized (145 g), elliptical-sloping, leveled, covered with a strong oily skin of green-yellow color, by the time of maturity it is covered with a bright continuous scarlet blush.

The taste is unobtrusive, sweet and sour with a pleasant fresh fruity aftertaste. Inside the apple is dense, homogeneous, juicy, snow-white, with a pleasant aroma.

Sun.

You can learn more about the Sunshine apple tree here.

Arbat

This variety not only dwarf, but also columnar, it is distinguished by a quick entry into fruiting (the first crop can be harvested 2 to 3 years after placement in the garden), resistance to diseases and pests and excellent frost resistance, which makes it possible to cultivate it in the northern regions.

The fruits are medium-sized, elliptical, covered with a strong shiny skin of a rich red-pink hue. Inside the fruit is fragrant, creamy, juicy and sweet, with a slight sourness.

Once harvested, they can be stored for up to several months, but may lose flavor over time.

For the middle band

In order to choose the right variety of apple trees for cultivation in a particular region, it is necessary to understand what requirements they must meet.

So, the middle zone of our country is distinguished by frequent return frosts in spring, possible frosts in early autumn, as well as slushy warm winters, at which the root system of a number of horticultural crops can get wet.

Such weather conditions can be abruptly replaced by frosts, which is the main problem.

Low-growing varieties for the middle band:

Melba;
Candy;
Zhigulevskoe;
Autumn striped;
Grushovka Moscow;
Bogatyr;
Arbat;
Moscow necklace;
Bratchud;
Legend.

Useful photos and videos

Grushovka Moscow.

Bogatyr.

Autumn striped.

Watch the video with a description of the varieties listed above:

Watch a video about dwarf apple trees:

Watch the video about the Sokolovskoe and Kovrovoe varieties:

Watch a video about the Arbat apple tree:

Conclusion

Understanding what is necessary for the successful cultivation of dwarf apple trees, you can easily choose the perfect variety, draw up an agrotechnical plan for him, choose the best place in the garden.

Among the great many works of breeders to date even the pickiest gardener will find the apple tree of their dreams!

Apples grow in every garden. These are unpretentious trees that give a bountiful harvest of delicious fruits. Many varieties of this fruit crop are tall specimens. To make harvesting easier, gardeners often grow apple trees on a dwarf rootstock. Everything you need to know about such trees will be discussed below.

Features of apple trees on a dwarf rootstock

Apple trees that are grown on a low-growing or dwarf rootstock have some differences from ordinary species. A distinctive ability of such varieties is low growth. Due to the fact that there is a small distance from the roots to the top, the trees have an increase in the speed of movement of water and nutrients along the trunk.

As a result, plants spend a minimum amount of energy on their vital activity. At the same time, "dwarfs" spend the main forces on the formation of ovaries and the ripening of fruits. Therefore, these varieties are characterized by high yields.

For any variety grown on a dwarf rootstock, the following features are characteristic:

shortened internodes;
large leaves;
the formation of a large number of flowers;
small volume of roots;
wood is capable of accumulating a significant amount of mineral and organic substances. This feature leads to poor barrel strength.

Despite the presence of common features, various varieties of dwarf apple trees differ from each other in certain parameters (ripening time, crop volumes, etc.).

Overview of the best varieties

To understand how to grow a dwarf apple tree, it is necessary, first of all, to decide on its variety. To select a suitable variety, you should first find out the features of growing each type you like.

The most popular varieties are:

Melba. The tree is able to grow to a height of up to 3 m. The variety is summer. Harvest ripening occurs from July to August. From one tree you can collect up to 40 kg. One apple weighs about 200 g;
Bratchud. Is a natural dwarf. The average growth is about 2 m. It is distinguished by good resistance to cold weather. One plant gives up to 100 kg of crop;
Sokolovskaya. Also a natural dwarf. Its average height is 2 m. The yield per tree is 65 kg.
Carpet. Forms a horizontal crown. The plant grows up to 2 m and produces about 60 kg of apples. Characterized by good winter hardiness;
Golden Delicious. Autumn variety. The tree is of medium height. Fruiting begins from the second year;
Zhigulevskoe. Differs in the long period of storage of apples. The tree bears fruit 2–3 years after planting;
Borovinka. Characterized by good cold resistance. Harvest occurs 5 years after planting.

As you can see, for some of the varieties listed above, a dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock was used. To obtain a good harvest from such plants, the acquired seedling should be properly planted.

Landing Rules

Planting a variety of dwarf apple trees can be carried out both in autumn and in spring. The landing rules here are similar to the requirements for ordinary varieties. However, if a dwarf stock is used for an apple tree, some subtleties should be observed when planting such seedlings. For example, when landing, it is necessary to pay attention to the place where the vaccination was made. This site should not be underground. Otherwise, the tree will grow. Also, the vaccination site may begin to rot.

When planting dwarf seedlings, humus, ash or superphosphate should be added to the soil. The pit should not be wide and deep. The optimum depth is 60 cm. During planting, the roots are evenly distributed in the dug hole. The root system falls asleep gradually. It is necessary to compact each layer well. In this case, you should act carefully so as not to break the fragile trunk. Therefore, such a tree must be tied to a support.

Further care

After planting a seedling of a dwarf apple tree, you must follow the rules for its cultivation. Otherwise, fruiting will be low. To achieve a good and abundant harvest, the trees are regularly fed.

Mineral supplements are applied for 2-3 years of life. In addition, the ground around the trunk should be carefully loosened and weeds removed. Watering is carried out regularly. It is especially important in the autumn period and when grown on loam. Trimming is a must. Cut off about ¼ of the branches. Only properly grown dwarf apple trees will produce a bountiful harvest every year.

Advantages and disadvantages

When choosing dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks for an apple tree, one should be aware of their advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of planting such trees include the following points:

good yield. Peak fruiting usually occurs at 10 years of age;
fast getting apples;
fruits have excellent taste;
beautiful appearance of apples;
compact dimensions that simplify harvesting;
branches are not exposed to strong winds;
simple care;
many varieties have high cold resistance;
low consumption of tree protection products from diseases and pests;
you can plant seedlings in almost any climatic conditions.

However, despite such an impressive list of advantages, growing dwarfs has its drawbacks. These include the following points:

the close location of the roots to the surface of the earth, which makes the plants sensitive to cold weather. Therefore, such trees need additional shelter for the winter;
high requirements of seedlings to soil fertility. You need to be prepared for this and start fertilizing as early as 2 years after planting;
unstable yield;
the need for props;
short fruiting period.

Growing an apple tree on a dwarf rootstock requires the gardener to know the characteristics of such plants, as well as strict adherence to the rules of care. This is the only way to achieve excellent fruiting from a planted tree.

Video "Apple tree on a dwarf rootstock"

From this video you will learn about the features of an apple tree grown on a dwarf rootstock.

Take up less space in;
Better tolerate winter;
Harvesting is much more convenient;
Just like behind them.

To properly this type, you need to understand what are the nuances in caring for them what to avoid, what to be prepared for and how to create the best possible conditions for them.

general characteristics

Apple trees are considered dwarf, the height of which does not exceed 2.5, and the root system has a fibrous structure, which is located in a meter layer of soil.

This fact is used by gardeners on a site that can damage deep-lying tree roots.

All varieties of dwarf apple trees can be divided into groups, depending on when the fruits are fully ripe: