Apple tree Melba: such a familiar foreigner. Apple variety Melba: its strengths and weaknesses

Apples are one of the most popular fruits grown by Russians in home gardens wherever the climate permits. Among the variety of varieties bred by breeders, the Melba apple tree has been consistently successful for more than a decade. The variety is appreciated both in Russia and all over the world. What is the reason for the enduring popularity?

Description and characteristics of the Melba variety

Nelly Melba - opera diva, after whom one of the most popular varieties of apples is named

Apple tree Melba (sometimes the name of the variety is spelled as "Melba") was obtained in Canada in 1898 by free pollination of the natural Macintosh variety (McIntosh). The one who first received the seeds at the breeding station must have been a passionate music lover. The name of the hybrid was in honor of one of the most famous opera singers of that time - the Australian Nellie Melba. Despite being over a century old, the variety is considered quite young by the standards of fruit trees.

The average weight of apples from Melba is 150 g, but there are also such specimens

In Russia and countries former USSR variety quickly gained popularity. AT State Register it was introduced in 1947. Melba is now found wherever the climate permits. The exceptions are the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.

The trees of this variety are medium tall (up to 3 m), the crown is wide, rounded, not too dense. On a dwarf rootstock, it is even lower - 1.8–2 m. The bark is brown with an orange or rusty tint. The crown is formed rather slowly. The first few years of apple trees are more like columnar.

Light green, oval-shaped leaves. Sometimes there is a yellowish tint. On the oldest branches, due to the developed central vein, they are slightly concave. There are small teeth all over the edge.

The flowers are very large. The petals are white, pale pink at the base, tightly adjacent to each other. Sometimes there is even a slight overlap. The buds are almost purple.

Blooming apple tree will decorate the garden

The fruits ripen in mid-August. If the summer was not too warm - in early September. Medium-sized apples, weighing 130-150 g, individual specimens - up to 200 g. The shape is rounded, the apple slightly expands towards the base, so it seems flattened and resembles a cone. The skin is dense, but very thin, smooth, covered with a bluish "wax" coating. Ripe apples are light green, with a striped "blush" where the sun hit the fruit. The bright red spot covers about half of the apple's surface area. In this place, small subcutaneous dots, white or pale yellow, are clearly visible.

The pulp is very tender and juicy, crispy, fine-grained, almost snow-white in color. The taste of apples is sweet and sour, with an amazing aroma of caramel candies.

Melba apple pulp is almost perfectly white

Melba is not only tasty, but also healthy apples. They contain:

• sugar - 10–11%;
• titratable acids - 0.75–0.8%;
• pectin - about 10%;
• vitamin C - 13–15 mg per 100 g.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

To undeniable merits varieties include:

• Precocity. The first harvest can be expected 4 years after planting seedlings in the ground.
• Productivity. From one apple tree older than 10 years, 50–80 kg of fruit can be harvested annually.
• Appearance of fruits. Apples are not only tasty, but also very beautiful. This is an important factor for those who sell them and grow them on an industrial scale.
• Keeping quality. In suitable conditions, apples will lie until the middle of winter. In addition, they practically do not suffer during transportation.

As always, there are also disadvantages:

• Insufficient winter hardiness. However, on the basis of Melba, breeders bred many more cold-resistant hybrids (Karavella, Cherished, Early Aloe, Red Early, Prima, Melba Red, Melba's Daughter), which retained the best qualities of the "parent".
• Weak scab resistance.
• Irregular fruiting. The older the tree becomes, the less often it bears fruit. It is impossible to predict whether there will be a harvest this year, since the fruiting cycle is not visible. But this is a common problem for most fruit and stone fruits.
• Self-infertility. In order for the Melba fruits to start, you need to plant a few more apple trees of different varieties.

Young apple trees of the Melba variety consistently produce a crop

Melba has so-called clones:

Video about the variety

Landing features

time and place

The optimal time for planting Melba seedlings is autumn. Focus on when the first frost usually occurs in your area. The apple tree must be planted in the ground at least 35-40 days before. It is best to plan a landing from mid-September to the end of the first decade of October.

The Melba apple tree is low, but when planting between neighboring trees, you need to leave at least 7 meters, between rows - about 3 m. In the first few years, between apple trees, to save space, you can grow raspberries, currants, strawberries, cucumbers, legumes.

The distance between apple trees should not be less than twice the height of an adult tree

The soil is preferably light and fertile. The best way- loam. Heavy silt or clay soil is categorically not suitable. River sand can be added to the black soil.

Check the acidity of the soil first. For Melba, a neutral or slightly alkaline soil is preferred. If this is not the case, add dolomite flour when digging (500 g per m²).

Good drainage is very important, especially if the groundwater is close to the surface. To avoid root rot, plant Melba on a hillside or dig a special trench to regulate groundwater levels. So you will avoid the problems associated with the stagnation of melt water and prolonged autumn precipitation.

Melba is also demanding on the presence sunlight and is extremely negative about cold drafts. When these conditions are not met, the apples do not turn red, become smaller, and are not so sweet.

Seedling selection

Choose a one-year or two-year-old seedling. Those that grew normally by this time have a height of 40–80 cm, 2–3 lateral shoots and a developed root system.

The bark should be smooth to the touch, uniform in color, without cracks, knots, tubercles. At healthy tree it is elastic, not wrinkled.

Your best bet is to go to a reputable nursery or grower in your area. Do not be too lazy to study reviews on the Internet and / or ask for the opinion of familiar gardeners.

Preparing for landing

The landing pit is prepared in advance, 12-15 days before landing. Optimum depth - 70–80 cm, width and length - 100 cm. Taken out of the pit fertile soil(upper 25–30 cm) are mixed in equal parts with peat and compost or humus and 2 times less coarse river sand is added.

Wood ash (200 g for every 5 liters of soil), simple or double superphosphate (400 g or half as much) and potassium sulfate (150–200 g) are also added there. Fertilizers with a nitrogen content are not applied - the tree will not be able to prepare for wintering.

At the bottom it is useful to pour brick chips, ceramic shards, walnut shells, pebbles, crushed stone - this is drainage.

2-3 days before planting, the roots of the apple tree are lowered into a container of water. You can add potassium permanganate (to a pale pink color) there for disinfection or Epin to stimulate growth.

Immediately before planting in the ground, cut off all the leaves with sharp scissors. The roots are coated with a mixture of clay and fresh cow dung, diluted with water to a thick slurry.

Step by step process

Apple tree planting scheme

1. At the bottom of the pit, a mound 15–20 cm high is formed from fertile soil.
2. At a distance of 10-15 cm from its center, a peg is stuck for support. Height - at least 70 cm above the top edge of the pit.
3. A seedling is placed on the mound, the roots are carefully straightened and the hole is covered in small portions with soil, periodically ramming it. Always make sure that root collar was 4–6 cm above the top edge of the pit.
4. When the pit is completely filled, the soil is tamped again. At a distance of 40–50 cm from the trunk, a low barrier (10–12 cm) is formed, surrounding it with a ring.
5. The planted apple tree is tied to a support and watered abundantly (15–20 l). When the moisture is completely absorbed, the trunk circle is mulched.

How to plant an apple tree - video

tree care

Apple trees of this variety are relatively unpretentious, but do not tolerate cold. Along with watering, maintaining cleanliness in the near-stem circle, weeding and fertilizing, special attention should be paid to preparing trees for wintering.

trunk circle

A circle with a radius of 50-100 cm should be weeded regularly.

In autumn, be sure to dig it up, remove fallen apples, dry leaves and broken branches. Such garbage is a “native home” for larvae and eggs of pests, spores of fungi and bacteria. You create very comfortable conditions for them to spend the winter.

Watering

An adult tree should receive 10 to 20 liters of water per day. Watering is adjusted, taking into account weather conditions. In extreme heat, you can additionally spray the foliage from a spray bottle.

Moisture is especially important at the time of ovary (you can get by with melt water) and active fruit ripening - from mid-July. If you neglect watering, most of the crop will crumble before it has time to ripen. It will also negatively affect the next fruiting. Simultaneously with the ripening of the crop, flower buds are tied - future apples.

Starting from mid-August, watering is gradually reduced. It contributes proper preparation trees for winter. If the end of summer and autumn are rainy, the apple tree can not be watered at all. The soil is moistened only as needed. To retain moisture longer, you can mulch the trunk circle, for example, with peat.

Fertilization

In the first year, if the landing pit has been prepared in accordance with all the rules, you can refrain from feeding. Then every year in early May, before flowering, water Melba with a solution of urea (500 g per 10 liters of water). Do the same top dressing in another month.

Useful rotted manure and compost. The norm for 1 m² is 8–10 kg. Introduced when digging.

In the summer, until the end of July, Melba is fed with organic matter at intervals of 15–20 days. Suitable fresh cow dung diluted with water (1:8) or chicken manure (1:12), infusion of nettle greens (1:2). Leaves and stems are cut, poured with water, tightly closed and left in the sun. When a characteristic smell appears (after 3-4 days), the liquid is filtered and used for irrigation.

In autumn, dig the trunk circle again, adding dolomite flour (400 g for young seedlings, 700 for adult trees), superphosphate (80–100 g double or twice as simple) and potassium sulfate (50–70 g) to the soil. Or deposit complex fertilizer with the content of phosphorus and potassium (Nitrophoska, Diammofoska, Autumn, AVA). You can dilute all this in water and water the apple tree, forming an annular groove at least 10 cm deep.

pruning

The crown of an apple tree is formed based on this scheme

Melba planted in autumn needs pruning already next spring. It is necessary to have time to carry out the procedure before the awakening of leaf and flower buds, so that the damage is minimal. The central branch, the conductor, is cut by a third. On the side shoots leave 2-3 growth buds.

The next 2-3 years form the crown. Also remove the length of the main shoot. Several shoots are left on the skeletal branches, growing at an angle of about 45º to the trunk. All the rest are cut to the first growth bud.

Further, the main attention is paid to sanitary pruning. In autumn and spring, all dried, dead and diseased branches are cut, as well as shoots growing down and deep into the crown. This will greatly facilitate tree care, pest control and harvesting. They also remove vertically growing branches - the so-called tops. Fruits are not tied to them. They can only be left if the tree has been badly damaged in winter. This is good foundation for the formation of new skeletal branches.

To get a crop for 4-5 years after planting, the first 2-3 years, all formed buds are cut off. This will allow the tree to quickly adapt to the climate and “gather strength” for future fruiting.

As a rule, apple trees are tied more fruits than can mature. Melba is no exception. Therefore, every spring, optimize the load by breaking the ovaries when they reach the size walnut. Leave only those fruits that are guaranteed to receive enough heat and light.

Preparing for winter

Be sure to whiten the trunk and skeletal branches at least a third of the height. Whiten young seedlings whole. Prepare a solution of 10 liters of water and 1 kg of slaked lime. Immediately before whitewashing, add 100 g of HOM (or half as much Fundazol or blue vitriol), 50 g fine chips tar soap, 20 ml of stationery glue and 1.5–2 kg of powdered clay. Clay can be dried in advance in a kiln or oven and crushed. Mix everything thoroughly.

Whitewashing the trunk of an apple tree is an effective measure against rodents

Build a shelter for the trunk so that hares and mice do not gnaw on your tree. The trunk is wrapped with burlap or tarpaulin in several layers, laying each of them with straw, and the entire structure is securely fixed. Nylon tights are also suitable. Use polyethylene film undesirable - it does not allow air to pass through, moisture condenses under it. This promotes the development of rot and mold.

Another option is to tie the branches of a young seedling and put a narrow one on the trunk cardboard box, stuffing it with straw or torn newspapers, falling asleep with peat. In winter, be sure to periodically check the condition of the branches. Those that are frozen, mark to cut in the spring.

Insulate the trunk of an apple tree with breathable material for the winter

If the winter turned out to be snowy, rake a snowdrift around the trunk. This will additionally insulate the apple tree and saturate the soil with moisture in the spring. It is only necessary to break the crust formed during the thaw in a timely manner.

Preparing a tree for wintering - video

There is a widespread belief in Arab countries. In order for the wish made to come true, you need to immediately after that eat 40 apples in one sitting, after blowing on each.

Diseases and pests

One of the main disadvantages of Melba is its weak resistance to fungal diseases, primarily scab. Therefore, in order to consistently get a crop, you need to regularly inspect apple trees for characteristic symptoms, be able to identify the problem and know how to deal with it.

Apple diseases and methods of their treatment - table

Disease	Symptoms	Prevention and control methods
	First, brownish spots appear on the leaves, then the disease spreads to the fruits. Rapidly growing dark gray spots and cracks appear on apples. The growth of the fruits stops, they fall off.	For prevention in the spring, at the time of the appearance of the leaves, Melba is sprayed with Horus, Skor and Oksikh preparations, preparing the solution according to the instructions. The norm for an adult tree is 1.5–2.5 liters. If the problem was noted last year, after flowering, they are sprayed again with the same preparations or colloidal sulfur (25 g per 5 liters of water). In autumn, it is useful to water the trunk circle with urea (0.5 kg per 10 liters of water).
	Appears on leaves thin layer off-white coating. At first it is easy to erase. Then it thickens, turns brown, the smallest black dots are noted. The leaves lack moisture and oxygen, they turn yellow, curl, dry and fall off. Inflorescences also fall off without setting fruit.	At the time of leaf blooming, the apple tree is sprayed with Topaz. After flowering - HOM (copper oxychloride) - 20 g per 5 liters of water. When the entire crop is harvested, for prevention, another spraying is carried out with copper or iron vitriol(for 10 l of water - 50 g of the product and 10 g of finely planed laundry soap) or Bordeaux liquid (100 ml per 10 l). You can alternate HOM and colloidal sulfur (70 g per 10 liters of water). The trunk circle is thoroughly cleaned of fallen leaves and other debris.
Moniliosis (fruit rot)	Soft to the touch brown spots appear on the fruits. They are growing fast. Concentric circles of whitish growths appear. The pulp also turns brown, it can not be eaten. The apples are falling.	Collect any fallen or hanging fruit showing signs of damage regularly and destroy immediately. Spraying three times also helps: when the leaves bloom - Fast, after flowering - Horus, 20–25 days before the apples fully ripen - Fundazol.
	Appear on the bark dark spots resembling burns or ulcers. They grow rapidly, changing color to brick or reddish brown. The wood becomes brittle. Even thick branches break easily with the slightest effort. Thin black “threads” are clearly visible on the break - mycelium.	The development of cytosporosis contributes to excessive watering and lack of fertilizers. Therefore, do not neglect the recommendations for care. Apple trees are sprayed three times. Leaf buds have not yet opened (but at a temperature not lower than +15 ºС) and after flowering - with the XOM preparation (50 g per 10 l of water). Before flowering - Fundazol (45 g per 10 liters of water). In autumn, fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium (superphosphate, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride) are applied to the soil.
Dryness	The upper branches shed their leaves and dry up.	The apple tree lacks zinc. Spray it with zinc sulfate (another name for zinc sulfate). For 10 liters of water - 50 g of the substance.
	The trunk and branches of the apple tree are cracking, next to the cracks, the wood and bark look as if burnt. Affected shoots dry up.	The most common cause is injuries caused to the tree during pruning. Therefore, use only sharply sharpened and disinfected tools. Treat all sections with a 2-3% solution of copper sulfate and cover garden pitch. There is no effective treatment. You can only cut off the affected branches and process the slices.
	The leaves are curled, the fruits are wrinkled. Both of them turn black and fall off in the middle of summer.	Anyhow effective means does not exist. The only way out is to destroy the source of the disease or the whole apple tree, until the bacterium or fungus has hit the entire garden. For prevention, purchase seedlings only in proven places, destroy pests that are carriers of infection, and disinfect the instrument after each use. It is also useful to spray the soil in spring and autumn with a 2-3% solution of copper sulfate.
	The bark and leaves acquire a silvery hue, clearly visible in the sun. With the further development of the disease, the leaves completely discolor, dark brown spots appear on the bark.

Diseases of the apple tree in the photo

Milky sheen is easy to identify but hard to get rid of. Bacterial burn most often brought to the site with new seedlings Trees damaged by black cancer seem to have survived the fire Apple trees affected by cytosporosis easily break the thickest branches Moniliosis is easily identified by concentric circles of white dots. White powdery mildew on the leaves seems harmless, but it's not at all. Melba most often suffers from scab

How to deal with scab on an apple tree - video tutorial

In addition to illness, fruit trees they also suffer from pests that can deprive you of a crop in a matter of days. There is nothing breeders can do about it. The Melba apple tree is no exception.

Insect pests that affect apple trees - table

Pest	Symptoms	Prevention and control methods
codling moth	Butterflies lay their eggs in flower buds. Caterpillars hatched from eggs completely gnaw out the seed chamber, then gnaw their way out and move to intact fruits, contaminating the pulp with their excrement along the way. Apples stop ripening, fall off. They cannot be eaten.	The larvae overwinter in fallen leaves, apples and other debris. Therefore, every autumn, carefully clean and dig up the near-trunk circle. In the spring, put special sticky belts on the trees. 12-14 days after flowering, spray the ovaries with Fastak and Tsimbush preparations.
apple leaflet	Adults lay their eggs on young leaves that curl into a tube. Hatched caterpillars feed on greens, leaving only the veins. Caterpillars move very quickly, if touched, they fall, hanging on a thin cobweb.	Before blooming leaf buds and immediately before flowering, buds and buds are sprayed with Tsimbush.
apple scab	Small dark brown, almost flat outgrowths appear on the bark. Pests suck sap from trees. If the scab has bred en masse, the apple tree stops growing, dries up, the flowers fall off, the fruits do not set.	The soil and the tree in the spring, before flowering, are sprayed with Aktara or Nitrofen (2% solution). For prevention, wash the apple tree every spring with a stiff brush dipped in the following solutions. For 10 liters of water and 50 g of small chips of tar soap, take 2 cups of sifted wood ash or 200 g of fluffy lime and 50 ml of copper sulfate, or 300 g dolomite flour and 35 g of the drug HOM. Air temperature during processing - not less than +15…+17 ºС. In autumn, spray the tree and soil with Karbofos or Metaphos.
apple flower beetle	Beetles gnaw out flower buds and buds from the inside and lay eggs there. As a result, the buds, not having time to bloom, dry out and fall off.	During the swelling of the kidneys, shake the apple tree several times, spreading a cloth or oilcloth under it, destroy the beetles that have crumbled from the tree. Spray almost blooming buds with a solution of Chlorophos (50 g per 10 liters of water).
apple sawfly	Caterpillars eat the pulp and seeds of unripe fruits. Apples shrivel and fall off.	Before and after flowering, apple trees are sprayed with Karbofos and Chlorophos (35–40 g per 10 l of water).
	Eggs overwinter in fallen leaves, held together by cobwebs in a kind of nest. There may be nests in trees. In spring, hatched larvae destroy leaf and flower buds, young greens and flowers.	Until the leaves bloom, apple trees and the soil under them must be sprayed with Karate.

Harmful insects in the photo

Sawflies feed on the pulp of unripe apples. Flower beetle with a long proboscis lays eggs in buds Massively bred scale insects cover the trunk with a continuous layer Apples damaged by the codling moth should not be eaten. Hawthorns on the apple tree are noticeable, so they can be picked by hand

How to deal with pests - video

Harvest of apples

The first fruits of Melba ripen in mid-August, if the summer was warm and sunny enough. Further fruiting continues until the end of September.

Apples are picked by hand - no need to shake the tree and pick up the fruits from the ground. It is also strongly not recommended to wash the bluish “plaque” from apples and pull out the stem. You will significantly reduce their keeping quality and transportability. Fallen apples should be eaten or processed immediately.

Ladders, hooks with long handles and special "nets" - fruit pickers are sold at any gardening store. You can make all this yourself. And don't forget the gloves. Nails also severely damage Melba's thin skin.

The variety is completely universal. Very tasty apples are suitable both for fresh consumption and for canning for the winter. Jams, jams, marmalade, compotes and juices are simply amazing. If there is nowhere to store all this, dry the apples. Benefits do not suffer in the least.

If you want to harvest the fruits for long-term storage, harvest them 7-10 days before they are fully ripe. It is very important to choose the right moment. Completely unripe apples will quickly wrinkle, overripe ones will turn brown and acquire an unpleasant mealy taste. In order not to be mistaken, cut the apple. Seeds should be soft, green-brown.

Melba will lie in the refrigerator until the New Year. Another good option is a cellar. The even, smooth fruits selected for storage without the slightest traces of diseases and pests are cooled immediately after harvesting to a temperature of +4 ... +5 ºС and transferred to storage.

The best container for apples - wooden boxes. Plastic is also suitable, but in this case ventilation holes are required. Apples are placed in a container in layers, so that they do not touch each other. Layers are sprinkled with sawdust, scraps of paper, dry leaves, sand or peat. Needles, coniferous sawdust and straw will not work. The latter quickly fades, from the rest an unpleasant aftertaste of resin will appear. For extra protection, each apple can be wrapped in tissue paper or tissue paper. The fewer points of contact between apples, the longer the harvest will last.

Children are most often given peeled apples. And completely in vain. It is in the peel that contains almost all vitamins, micro and macro elements, antioxidants.

vintage variety Melba, bred by Canadian breeders back in the 19th century, was registered and entered into the State Register in 1947. Experiments on the variety have been carried out in Russia since the early forties.

The progenitor of Melba is the famous Macintosh variety, which was valued for its taste. On its basis, many varieties popular and beloved by gardeners were obtained: Spartan, Orlovskoye striped, Orlik. The Melba apple variety appeared as a result of free pollination.

The Melba apple tree is known in Russia under several names. The apple tree is called Azure, Melba, Melba. There is also a name - Malba. This is due to the transferable nature of the name of the variety - Melba, given to the apple tree in honor of the opera singer Nelly Melba - the world-famous Australian.

Variety Description

A detailed description of the Melba apple tree will give an idea of ​​​​the appearance of the tree, help to understand for what qualities the variety is valued by experienced gardeners, and what disadvantages it has.

Features of the appearance of the tree

A characteristic feature of Melba is a change in appearance depending on the age of the seedling and the selected rootstock. At the same time, the quality of leaves and fruits does not change.

tree structure

AT vivo the apple tree is medium-sized, rarely reaches a height of four meters. The crown of an adult Melba is rounded, well leafy. Before three years of age the trunk is straight, the shoots tend to the vertical, which is reminiscent of columnar varieties in structure. At the same time, the trunk and branches are quite thick and strong. The shade of the bark is cherry. At the beginning of development, the foliage of the shoots is medium.

Leaves

The general shade of the foliage during the active growing season is light green, tending to yellow. The leaves have an elongated rounded shape. Young sheet plates flat, with age may slightly bend upwards. Healthy leaves are shiny and smooth, hairiness is almost invisible to the naked eye.

Flowers

Melba begins to bloom in May. The flowers are large, beautiful white-pink. If the weather is cold, a more intense color of the buds is noticeable. The petals are close and often overlap with each other.

Depending on the region of growth, the flowering time may shift to mid-April and early June.

Fruit

The bulk of the fruits are medium in size, the weight of which ranges from 140 to 200 grams. The shape of Melba apples is round, or slightly oblong. The fruits may be slightly ribbed. The peel is smooth, the wax coating is clearly felt.

The main tone of an apple in technical ripeness is yellowish-green, with clearly traced red streaks on the peel. A fully ripened apple has a dark pink color, the veins remain visible and become more saturated.

The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, with a hint of caramel. Depending on the care of the tree and weather conditions fruits may be more sugary or have a rich acidity. Melba apples are classified as dessert varieties. The pulp is white, medium density. At the same time, the fruits are quite juicy, have a pronounced aroma, reminiscent of the smell of caramel.

Fruiting

The variety is well adapted to various climatic conditions. It is thanks to them that the variety differs in terms of flowering and fruiting. Regarding the ripening period of the Melba apple tree, descriptions in books and the Internet vary. This often confuses inexperienced summer residents. They cannot understand why a summer apple tree produces a harvest in autumn.

In fact, everything is simple. In the southern regions, the variety begins to bear fruit in mid-summer. In colder climates, it is considered late summer or even early autumn. In the conditions of the Moscow region, Melba ripens in the second decade of August - early September. And in Volgograd, apples appear already in July.

It is important to know that Melba is only partially self-fertile; an apple tree needs a pollinator to get good yields. They can be any summer variety that blooms at the same time as Melba.
If the neighbors have such a tree, 10-15 meters from Melba, you can take no action. If not, then you can plant several branches of a different variety on an apple tree or plant full-fledged seedlings. Good pollinators for Melba are Chinese Bellefleur, Antonovka, Quinti and Borovinka.

Varieties that bear fruit in the same period may bloom at different times and do not work well as pollinators of each other.

You can increase the yield by fixing on an apple tree, in a bottle of water, a flowering shoot summer variety.
Better results can be obtained if the grower does additional pollination by hand. The mixed type of fruiting, that is, the presence of both male and female ovaries on the tree, makes it possible without the need to plant additional varieties.

Young trees of Melba give a harvest every year, with age, the apple tree bears fruit less often. With poor care, you can not have a crop from an adult apple tree for up to 5 years in a row.

Harvest storage

Often in the literature, Melba is referred to as summer quarrels. This is not entirely true. The apple tree, indeed, behaves like a summer variety, but only in regions with a warm climate, where there are no sharp temperature fluctuations. Long-term storage of the crop under such conditions is unlikely.

In the central strip, the variety shows itself as early autumn. The shelf life of fruits under optimal conditions can be up to two months. In regions with a cold climate, Melba shows all the signs autumn apple trees and the harvest can be saved until the New Year.

In the middle lane, Melba apples, harvested in the phase of technical ripeness, can be stored at a low positive temperature for up to four months without losing their taste.

winter hardiness

The variety exhibits good frost resistance in regions where the winter negative temperature does not fall below 30 - 32 degrees. An adult tree can withstand temperatures down to minus 35. The variety showed the most successful growth in the southern, central and northwestern regions.

For more severe conditions, growing Melba without additional effort will not work. flower buds and the shoots will freeze regularly. If the climate does not allow, but you want to have this variety, you can grow Melba on a dwarf rootstock or its columnar form. There is an option to use container planting, with winter storage in suitable premises. Or cover the plant for the winter with several layers of non-woven material.

Rootstock types

The quality characteristics of the tree depend on the chosen rootstock. A dwarf or columnar rootstock can drastically change the appearance and quality of an apple tree.

Rootstock affects:

• fruiting rate;
• tree height;
• crown diameter;
• landing distance;
• tree life span.

On a seed rootstock, an apple tree can live 40-50 years, and with good care even longer. At the same time, she will bear fruit for two-thirds of the term if she is provided with decent care. The semi-dwarf Melba is unlikely to live longer than 20 years.

The dwarf apple tree has an even shorter lifespan. It is recommended to change plantings of dwarf trees every 10-15 years.

Before you find out what year Melba begins to bear fruit, you should inquire about the type of stock:

• On a seed rootstock, Melba can grow up to 4 meters, and form a crown up to 7 meters in diameter. Therefore, trees should be planted at large intervals so that they do not touch. The first harvest can be harvested only after 5-6 years.
• Melba on a semi-dwarf rootstock begins to yield at the age of 3-4 years. The height of the culture reaches three meters, and the width is much less - 1.5-2 meters. Such trees should be planted no closer than four meters from each other.
• Dwarf species begin to bear fruit a year, and sometimes two, earlier. An apple tree rarely grows above two meters, the crown in diameter is up to 1.5 meters. Can be grown in intensive gardens with close planting.

Columnar forms of Melba can also be found on sale. When planting them, it is enough to maintain a distance of 0.5-1.2 meters for the successful growth and development of apple trees.

Among gardeners there are opponents and supporters of growing apple trees on dwarf, semi-dwarf rootstocks. If the main thing is the rapid onset of fruiting, and the need for careful care and a short life span do not scare you, you should choose dwarfs and semi-dwarfs. If it is important that the tree grows and bears fruit for many years, you should choose Melba on a seed stock.

Landing and care

Planting and care of the variety complies with the standards of agrotechnics for pome crops. The tree is unpretentious to the structure of the soil, tolerant of irregular watering. Melba on a seed stock needs good drainage, she is afraid of proximity ground water. Dwarf and semi-dwarf seedlings are quite tolerant of short-term flooding.

To properly plant Melba, you must follow a few simple rules:

1. It is better to plant an apple tree of this variety in early spring.
2. The size of the planting hole should be slightly larger than the root ball of an apple tree: the approximate dimensions for a two-year-old seedling are 60x60x60.
3. The soil must be removed, the fertile layer separated and mixed with fertilizers.
4. A peg is driven into the hole, which will later give the tree a vertical position.
5. Part of the prepared soil is poured into a pit, a seedling is located in the center and covered with the remaining soil.
6. The soil is gently compacted to eliminate "air pockets" in the root area.

You won’t have to actively care for Melba in the summer. You should only regularly water the planted specimen, especially in the first month. To warn possible diseases, in the fall, it is necessary to remove fallen leaves from the near-trunk circle, loosen the ground at the roots and whiten the trunk.

Next spring, the tree will need pruning. Top dressing should also be started only a year after planting the seedling.

The main negative indicator of Melba is its poor resistance to scab. Therefore, trees need preventive spraying with fungicides.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the variety include: unpretentiousness, productivity, taste, storage.

Melba grows well on different types of soil and different climatic zones. The first few years the variety gives a plentiful and harvest every year. The fruits have excellent taste and right conditions stored long enough.

Cons of Melba: average winter hardiness, breaks in fruiting, partial self-pollination and a high probability of scab damage to the apple tree.

With good care, Melba can grow for a long time and bear fruit every year. The variety is time-tested and appreciated by experienced summer residents for its stability and amazing taste.

The trees of this variety are of medium height, which greatly facilitates the harvest. The crown of trees is rounded. At the age of one year, the trunk and branches of the tree are thick and straight. The bark is brown. The apple tree of the Melba variety blooms with beautiful large buds of white and pink color.

Petals of flowers are round, closed. The stigmas of the pistil are somewhat lower than the anthers.

The bark of young shoots is cherry. The thickness of the trunk is average. The leaves of the apple tree are oblong, slightly curved, light green in color. The edges of the leaf are crenate. In apple trees of the first year, the edges of the leaves hang down to the bottom.

The Melba apple variety is high-yielding. Fruits are large from 150 to 180 g. Productivity in good year reaches up to 200 kilograms from one tree. The shape of the apples is round, slightly flattened. Fruit color is green yellow tint. At the time of ripening, the apples turn red with a striped blush that extends over most of the apple. The Melba variety rarely has a pure red hue. The skin of an apple is thin, with a slight coating of wax. The pulp of an apple is white in color, with abundant secretion of juice, sweet and sour taste with a pleasant aroma of sweets. The seminal chamber is located closer to the upper part of the fetus, while it is open into the axial cavity. Seeds are large, oval brown.

Despite early ripening, this variety tolerates transportation well, and the shelf life of apples in a cool room is more than 5 months. Young trees up to 13-15 years old have a rounded crown up to 7 meters in size. Melba variety trees bear fruit every year, and only after 15 years of growth, fruiting occurs every 2 or 3 years.

Reviews of gardeners

Valery, 53 years old: “Apple trees of different varieties grow in the garden. To taste, Melba apples are sweet and sour and very juicy, I like them the most. The fruits are medium in size, have a red blush, and look very appetizing.

Lyudmila, 45 years old: “Excellent variety. Apples are very tasty and juicy, children love them very much. The apple tree bears fruit perfectly every year, we do not have time to harvest.

Tatyana, 59 years old: “My apple tree is already old, it gives excellent harvest but in a year. That is, one year the harvest is very huge, and the second - there are fruits, only much less. I like this variety because the skin of apples is very thin, so we eat them with great pleasure.

Elena, 48 years old: “Melba is a summer variety of apples, and by the end of August you can harvest. This variety has a lot of advantages, the main ones are high yield, fruit storage time, as well as the taste of apples. But there are also disadvantages - this is poor resistance to scab, as well as the fact that this variety does not tolerate frost well.

Planting and ripening dates for Melba apples

Since this variety of apples is summer, the readiness of fruits falls on the last weeks of July. But in regions with a cooler climate (Urals, Siberia), ripening can be delayed until mid-August.

Experts advise planting seedlings of this variety in the fall. But a month before the onset of frost. In our country optimal time planting of young apple trees is considered September or October, depending on the weather conditions of the area.

A sunny place is chosen for planting, which is one of the main conditions for obtaining large and sweet fruits. They also avoid areas where groundwater passes close, moisture accumulates due to precipitation, or water stays for a long time during the snow melt in the spring.

The soil for planting the Melba apple tree needs to be rich in trace elements, it is necessary for the seedling to grow and develop well. It must also be sufficiently breathable. If the soil is clayey or chernozem, it becomes necessary to add sand, peat. In the event that acidity is increased, dolomite or limestone flour must be added. A pit for planting is dug in the following scales of 1m in width and 0.8 in depth. Drainage is made at the bottom, because this variety does not tolerate excessive moisture. Expanded clay is used as drainage, broken brick, walnut shells and other materials.

Channels are dug to drain excess water from the seedling. During planting, it is important not to damage the root system, otherwise the young tree may die or develop slowly. The soil on the surface is carefully watered, and the young tree is fixed to the trellis for reliability. If several apple trees are planted, then the distance between each should not be less than 5 meters. So that the land between the trees does not overgrow with weeds, you can plant cucumbers, tomatoes, peas or cabbage. Root systems these crops are not large and will not harm the seedlings of the Melba apple tree.

Care

On the next year after the seedling has been planted, you can begin to form the crown of the apple tree. To do this, cut out branches that grow inward and those that have an irregular shape with a thickening or curvature. After April 15, the tree begins to bloom, and at this moment it is necessary to treat it with universal preparations from most harmful insects. It is better to process the apple tree before blooming flowers. A young tree during a dry summer must be watered.

Harvesting

The first harvest of Melba apples can be harvested for 4 years. When buying a seedling, gardeners often ask when to pick Melba apples? The answer depends on the climate in which the apple tree grows. If these are the southern regions or the middle lane, then the collection can be started at the end of July or at the beginning of August. In areas with a cooler climate, the collection of apples of this variety varies from mid-August to early September.

The fruits are harvested with gloves, so as not to damage the wax coating and thin skin. This measure will help to avoid spoilage of apples and promotes long-term storage. For the same purpose, do not tear off the stem. Fallen apples need to be processed or eaten as soon as possible. Melba apples make excellent compotes, jams, marmalade, marmalade, candied fruits and juice. Store the apple harvest in the refrigerator or other cool place for 4 to 6 months. Apples of the Melba variety perfectly retain all the flavors and useful qualities for such a long period of storage.

Today for our readers we told what the Melba apple tree is. Description, photos, reviews, planting of this variety is also on the page. Have a good harvest!

In the nineteenth century in North America was born new star named Melba. Released in Canada new variety apples, named after the singer with a unique voice - Nelly Melba. The Melba apple variety is grown with pleasure all over the world, and it is deservedly considered one of the best in all respects.

Description and characteristics of the variety

History of creation

In 1898, in Ottawa (Canada), a new late-summer variety of apples was bred at an experimental station. It was created by free pollination with seeds of the Macintosh variety, old and proven. Thanks to its excellent qualities, Melba quickly spread not only throughout America, but was also brought to Europe and Asia. In Russia, this variety has been valued since the middle of the last century, filling more and more niches in people's gardens. During the existence of Melba, gardeners in the northern regions, in order to get an apple tree in the garden and not destroy it, learned to grow it on a winter-hardy rootstock, so that in our time the variety is distributed almost everywhere.

Features of the structure of the tree

Melba is a medium-sized variety, reaching no more than 3 m in height. The crown of an adult tree is spherical, the trunk is thick. In an apple tree up to 3 years old, the structure is columnar, as it grows older, the crown becomes rounded, the trunk slightly bends.

The young Melba apple tree has a columnar structure

The bark is rich dark brown with an orange tint, the foliage is medium density, light green, sometimes yellowish. The shape of the leaves is oblong with a crenate margin. On powerful and strong shoots, the leaves often become convex on the upper side, as if inflated. The flowers are large, the buds have a white-pink hue with a purple tint, the petals are rounded, light pink in color, closed, closely spaced and slightly overlapping each other. The fruits in the bulk are formed on the annelids. Young shoots differ from adult branches in the cherry color of the bark and slight pubescence.

When the apple tree matures and begins to bear fruit, the crown becomes noticeably round.

Melba is characterized by rapid growth, the first harvest is harvested at 4-5 years of the life of an apple tree.

Taste and decorative features of fruits

Apples of the Melba variety compare favorably with their counterparts in many ways. They are incredibly juicy, tender, taste sweet with a pleasant sourness, have a pronounced aftertaste and aroma of sweets.

Melba apples are flattened, rounded or rounded-conical in shape

Medium sized apples. Their weight is 120-150 g, although sometimes there are large fruits up to 200 The skin is yellow, in ripe apples it is half covered with red-pink stripes. The pulp of the fruit is very tender, juicy, snow-white in color. The shape of the apples is round. The fruits have an attractive presentation, and in combination with great taste became one of the favorite varieties of merchants. Ripening, Melba perfectly decorates the garden with a combination of pale green foliage with bright apples burning on it.

Video: what does the Melba apple variety look like?

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

More than a century ago, Melba was valued mainly for its pleasant taste and rich harvest. Over the past time, the attitude towards the variety has not only not changed, but new interesting details about the apple tree have also come to light.

pros

• Early ripening apples. At the end of August, you can already enjoy delicious and juicy fruits.
• Rapid growth, due to which Melba begins to bear fruit already 4-5 years after planting.
• High yield. At the age of 10 years, up to 70 kg of crop can be harvested from one apple tree.
• Flawless appearance.
• The strength and strength of the fruit, due to which they can be transported over long distances, without fear for the presentation.
• rich set useful properties. Apples contain pectins (10.1%), titratable acids (0.78%), sugars (10.5%), ascorbic acid (13.4 mg/100 g), P-active substances (297 mg/100 g ).
• Wide use in cooking.

Minuses

• Frost resistance is average or below average, which makes it impossible to grow the variety in the northern regions.
• High percentage of scab disease.
• Low chance of self-pollination.
• In adult apple trees (at the age of 7-8 years), fruiting becomes cyclical, difficult to calculate.

Rules for planting seedlings

In order to get a rich harvest every season, it is worth following certain rules when planting an apple tree. The Melba variety, like the others, has its own nuances that must be taken into account when planting in the garden.

When to plant?

Work on planting young trees is best done in the fall (late September - early October). It is very important not to be late so that the seedling has time to take root properly before the first hard frost. It takes about a month for an apple tree to take root, so it’s worth calculating the timing.

What soil to choose?

Since severe frost can destroy this tender apple tree, the Melba variety is not common in Russia beyond the Ural region. Melba develops well and bears fruit in central Russia, in the Volga region and in the Caucasus.

apple tree gives good harvest if planted in loamy soil. To artificially create the desired soil under the apple tree in landing pit pour a mixture of sand, compost or rotted manure and peat chips in equal proportions.

How to plant?

If the seedlings are thin and weak, then before planting it is worth holding them in a bucket of water for 2-3 days to fill the stems with moisture. The crown of the apple tree is bared by removing the foliage, and the branches are tied, preventing the evaporation of the liquid.

In a planting hole with a diameter of 1 m and a depth of 80 cm, covered with a prepared mixture or loamy soil, a young tree is installed and covered flush with the root neck. If the seedling is weak, then a stake is first driven into the pit, to which the apple tree is tied.

After planting, the ground in the near-stem circle needs to be slightly crushed, without tamping too tightly. The seedling should be generously watered at the rate of 1 bucket of water per 1 tree.

What should be considered when boarding?

Melba is quite demanding on growing conditions, so moisture stagnation at the roots should not be allowed. Spring snowmelt, close proximity to groundwater, or heavy and prolonged rainfall will lead to root rot and death of the apple tree. If there is a danger of stagnant moisture, then drainage is installed in the planting hole for the tree or the place where the apple tree grows is artificially raised.

The Melba apple tree variety does not like drafts, and also requires sufficient lighting, so you should choose sunny plot for landing.

Seasonal rules for caring for an apple tree

After planting, the apple tree needs careful care, consisting of timely pruning, top dressing, watering and treatment from pests and diseases.

pruning

The pruning procedure is recommended in early spring before the start of sap flow. So that the fruit branches are more likely to be laid, and the growth of lateral shoots is accelerated, the central conductor is shortened by a third. This will also make harvesting easier as the mature tree grows taller and taller, and pruning pushes the growth of the apples to the side branches.

The Melba variety requires rejuvenation, which must be carried out very carefully, removing 2-3 age shoots per year. Sanitation includes pruning of dry branches and thinning of the crown, as well as the removal of basal shoots. If fresh branches are cut off, after which a wound remains on the bark of the tree, it must be covered with garden pitch or water-based paint.

Cutting tools must be clean so as not to introduce dirt into the wound.

Garden pitch can be purchased at a specialized store or made independently. To do this, take one weight part of rosin (50 g), the same amount beeswax, add 200 g of unsalted fat or sunflower oil. Combine all ingredients and, stirring, melt over low heat. Then take the mixture off the heat and stir until smooth. Transfer the finished var to jars with a lid. You can store it up to 10 years.

Experts advise adding 1 crushed heteroauxin tablet per 1 kg of mass to it before solidifying a home-made garden var, which speeds up the healing process of tree wounds after pruning branches and smearing cuts with var.

Video: pruning and shaping the crown of an apple tree

top dressing

Melba's first top dressing is carried out in early spring before flowering. As with planting, the ground near the trunk of an apple tree is dug up with humus or compost (about 2 buckets per apple tree). Also, before flowering, fertilizers are added in combination or separately:

• 1 glass of wood ash;
• 1/3 cup potassium chloride;
• 1 glass of superphosphate.

During the summer, Melba should be fed three times with liquid nitrogen-containing fertilizers with a break of 2-3 weeks. For top dressing, manure and chicken droppings (1:10) are suitable.

When the fruits ripen, it is necessary to limit the tree's access to nitrogen so that the apple tree can prepare for wintering. Melba is also fed after harvest, in the fall. 40-50 g of potassium chloride per tree are added to the soil. 2 buckets of compost for each apple tree will not hurt either.

Watering

Since Melba does not tolerate abundant moisture, it must be watered carefully. In the spring, the earth is filled with melt water, but in the summer the apple tree must be watered once a week - from 10 to 20 liters per 1 tree. If the summer is rainy, watering is reduced until the weather is dry. In mid-August, regular watering is stopped, moistening, if necessary, the near-stem circle of the apple tree.

Protection from pests and diseases

Melba is a rather resistant, but at the same time gentle variety that always tries to adapt to new growing conditions. The change in conditions during the transportation of apple trees to Russia was insignificant, and its attitude towards pests and diseases remained the same as in Canada.

Pests

The most dangerous for a tree are tree pests that damage the bark, reaching the vulnerable trunk. These are scale insects, bark beetles, ticks and other pests. Caterpillars and beetles spoil the green foliage of the apple tree, aphids suck the juice from the tree, and codling moths eat the fruits. It is quite difficult to destroy pests without harming the apple tree, so it is important to take the necessary preventive measures in time.

In the middle of spring (before flowering), Melba is treated with preparations to exclude the appearance of pests that have woken up after wintering in the bark of an apple tree. For processing, the following drugs are used:

• 40 g Inta-vira for 1 bucket of water for each tree;
• 1 tablet of copper oxychloride per bucket of water (solution for 2-3 apple trees).

To prevent the appearance of pests, the trunk of an apple tree is whitened, which is simple and effective.

To prepare garden whitewash, you need to dilute 2.5 kg of lime and 0.5 l of copper sulfate in a bucket of water, and then add 200 g of wood glue.

First, they inspect the tree trunk, clean it with a scraper or wire brush from mosses and lichens, and scrape off the dry old bark. After that, you need to cover all the cracks with garden pitch. Then you can proceed directly to whitewashing. Use with a brush or spray gun. Whitewash trunks, skeletal branches and forks of trees.

Important! Young trees with smooth bark do not need whitewashing. It can clog pores and harm them.

Whitewash trunks and lower skeletal branches preferably 2-3 times a year

Before wintering, Melba's trunk is sheltered from rodents, for example, with old nylon pantyhose or a thick layer of insulating material. You can use the stems of raspberries, willows, hazels, thin branches of cherries. Also, roofing material, roofing felt, wire mesh, pre-treated in a solution of lime or chalk, are suitable for strapping. If synthetics are used, then burlap or matting must be tied under it to prevent contact with the bark of the apple tree.

Apple diseases

Melba is resistant to all diseases of apple crops, except for scab, with which it is often and extensively affected. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to prune trees in time, apply fertilizers, remove fallen leaves, preventing it from rotting at the roots.

Cleaning and destruction of fallen leaves near trees is a necessary measure for the prevention of scab

Melba is also subjected to chemical treatments in 3 stages. The first treatment is carried out during the period of bud break: the trunk circle is sprayed once with a 10% solution of ammonium nitrate, and the tree is sprayed with a 2% solution of Bordeaux mixture. The treatment is repeated at the same dosage during flowering and during fruit set, 3 weeks after the 2nd treatment. These measures, if not eliminated, will significantly reduce the risk of scab damage.

Apple scab is caused by pathogenic fungi, in which spots, warts, peeling of integumentary tissues form on stems, leaves and fruits.

If the scab nevertheless overcame the trees, it is urgent to take action:

• 10 tablets of the biological bactericide Gamair should be dissolved in 10 liters of cold water. Spraying is carried out up to 3 times per season.
• 20 ml of a systemic preparation of natural origin Fitolavin is dissolved in 10 liters of water. The prepared solution is carried out 4 treatments per season at intervals of 15 days.
• Dilute 2 ml of Strobi fungicide in 10 liters of water. It is necessary to carry out at least 3 sprayings per season.
• Dilute 3 g of Horus fungicide in 10 liters of water. The spraying procedure is recommended to be carried out 2 times - before bud break and after flowering. A feature of the drug is that it is not washed off during the rain.
• It is believed that mineral fertilizers no worse than chemistry in the fight against scab. In addition, they are also foliar top dressing. For treatment, highly concentrated solutions of 10% ammonium nitrate, 10% ammonium sulfate, 15% potassium salt, 15% potassium nitrate are used.

Photo gallery: preparations for the treatment of apple scab

Horus is an effective fungicide with a unique mechanism of action against scab, powdery mildew, moniliosis Gamair effectively suppresses fungal and bacterial diseases Strobi provides effective fight with fungal diseases of various types Fitolavin has a pronounced bactericidal and fungicidal effect

Pollination

Melba belongs to self-fertile varieties, but it performs this function weakly, so it is advisable to plant pollinating varieties on the site. For Melba, varieties such as Antonovka, Suislepskoye, Borovinka, Stark Erlist and Bellefleur-Chinese are best suited.

Photo gallery: the best pollinators for the Melba variety

The fruits of the variety Suislepskoe are flattened, with a very beautiful bright integumentary color Stark Erlist - a variety of early summer ripening of American origin
Antonovka - a widespread old Russian winter variety of apple trees

Rules for storage and harvesting

With proper care from one adult tree, about 80-150 kg of apples can be harvested per season, weighing 100-150 g each. Good transport qualities allow Melba to please consumers and in northern regions Russia.

Beginning of fruiting

A young apple tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 4-5, a full-fledged crop is obtained at the 8th year of growth. Melba is a summer variety, harvesting begins in mid-August. By the end of the month, most of the fruits ripen.

Young trees bear fruit annually, old trees periodically.

Harvesting

Melba apples are recommended to be picked slightly unripe to prolong their shelf life. The variety is not prone to rapid fall, so the fruits on the tree can hang until overripe within 2-3 weeks. Harvesting in the absence of the formation of an apple tree is slightly difficult, since the tree has a compact crown and low growth, and the fruits are far from the trunk.

Terms and conditions of storage

The collected fruits are carefully sorted out so as not to damage the wax coating on the skin of the apples, the affected and overripe ones are excluded. After this procedure, apples are stored in a cellar with a temperature ranging from 2 to 5 degrees. The shelf life of Melba is 2-3 months (sometimes the fruits are stored until January).

Damaged apples are not used for storage, using them in processing for making jams, preserves, juices. Melba fruits are also used to make dried fruits.

Varieties of the variety Melba

In addition to the main variety, which has retained its characteristics from the Canadian ancestor, Melba also has varieties.

This variety is bred on the basis of Melba and has much greater frost resistance than the mother. He is also less affected by scab. The shelf life of apples does not exceed one month, after which the fruits begin to deteriorate. By appearance they differ from Melba in the presence of pink spots or stripes over the entire surface of the fruit. The average weight of an apple is 130 g. Each tree aged 10-12 years can produce 30-35 kg of yield.

Melba's daughter surpasses the progenitor in winter hardiness

Melba Red or Red Melba

This variety is considered a clone of Melba, which differs only slightly from it. The color of the apples is greenish-white, with a blurred bright red peculiar blush. There are subcutaneous points over the entire surface. The taste of the fruit is less sweet, without a pronounced candy flavor and aroma. The variety is suitable for making compotes, fruit drinks, jelly and fruit wine. The average fruit weight is 150-200 g. The yield of each adult apple tree at the age of 10 years reaches 80 kg.

Red Melba is characterized by abundant fruiting

This species is the original variety Melba, grafted onto a dwarf rootstock from zoned apple varieties. Thanks to grafting on a strong plant, Melba can be grown in this way in the Urals, Far East and in Siberia, as the rootstock, accustomed to frost, will not let it freeze. The advantages include simplified harvesting, as the growth of the tree is reduced. Melba on a dwarf rootstock begins to bear fruit already for 2-3 years of growth, and it can be planted in the spring-autumn period due to the high survival rate of the root system of the rootstock. The weight of apples does not exceed 120 g, and the yield from one apple tree reaches 20-25 kg.

The fruits tolerate transportation relatively well for a summer variety and can be stored in the refrigerator until November, and sometimes until January.

Varieties based on Melba

With the help of Melba, several varieties adapted to the conditions of nature in Russia and the countries of the former USSR were bred. These are varieties such as Cherished, Early Scarlet, Caravel. They are very similar to their progenitor, but not so tender and can be grown in any region.

Melba is a favorite variety of many gardeners. Every connoisseur of taste should plant an apple tree in the garden with fruits of amazing taste and an excellent annual harvest. without requiring special care, Melba will decorate every plot and give a lot of juicy and healthy fruits.

Our family business is Apple orchard, in which there are more than a dozen varieties of apples, in total - more than 150 trees. Some of them grow almost on their own, and some require a long and complex care. In this article I will talk about one of the varieties that can be grown in the CIS countries - Melba.

It was bred by Canadian breeders a very long time ago - already in 1898. It turned out by pollinating another apple tree - Mekintosh. Among the many seedlings, the future Melba was also selected - they named the variety in honor of the very famous opera singer of those days - Nelly Melba.

In 1949, the variety passed all official procedures and was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements.

As soon as the tree came to Russia, it instantly became one of the most popular varieties of apple trees. Since then, it has not lost its popularity - many are purposefully looking for these apples on the shelves.

Many people like them so much that they plant an apple tree in their own gardens - after all, it grows well in most regions. I will tell you how to properly grow and plant Melba.

Apple trees of this type are usually low, even the tallest subspecies do not grow above three and a half meters. The shape of the crown is usually spreading, wide-rounded. It should be noted that mature trees acquire this shape, but young ones usually have a more elongated crown.

The bark of the tree is dark, with an orange tinge. The trunk is thick, squat, branches extend from it in all directions under a sharp degree.

Fruit

Melba apples are quite large - average weight about 150 grams. The typical shape is round, the skin is smooth, but may be slightly ribbed. Ripe apples are covered with a wax coating, which contributes to good storage products.

The main color of apples is light green, the plucked fruits become yellowish over time. Mature fruits have a slight "blush", pronounced on the south side.

The pulp is tender and crispy, juicy. Mostly white, but may be greenish - closer to the skin.

Melba apples are excellent fresh, but for juice, compote or jam, it is better to choose other varieties.

Reproduction and planting

The first thing to do in order to grow a Melba apple tree in your home is to buy a seedling. I recommend doing this only in a good, specialized store - in the markets or “from hand” it is very easy to run into a fake and buy a cheaper variety or low-quality wood.

Age of seedlings of great importance does not have, but it is recommended to take one or two years old. When buying, carefully inspect each seedling - it should not have cracks, and there should not be even the slightest blisters on the roots.

The best time for landing is autumn, late September and early October. You can do this in April, but only if the buds have not yet opened.

The soil can be different, the tree takes root especially well in loam, sandy loam, in all forest soils and, of course, in black soil. But silty or clay soils are best avoided - the tree does not tolerate stagnation and an abundance of water.

The process begins with the preparation of the soil - about half a kilogram of dolomite flour, the same amount of wood ash and a few kilograms of humus or manure must be added to the ground.

The place must be chosen such that cold northern winds do not blow on the tree and that it has a lot of sun. If there are several trees, leave three to four meters between them.

The landing hole is dug two weeks before the actual landing. Standard sizes are about 80 by 80 centimeters. At the bottom, it is imperative to make drainage - best of all from pebbles or expanded clay, they can simply be poured out.

Now we begin to prepare the seedlings - before planting in the pits, it is necessary to hold the seedling in water for several hours and remove all leaves from the trunk. Place the seedling in the hole, straighten the roots and cover the tree with earth. From above, the hole must be covered with earth and compacted. Then pour a bucket of water and mulch with peat or humus.

Finally, place a peg nearby and tie up the tree to make it easier to root.

Peculiarities

Consider the main advantages and disadvantages that distinguish Melba from other varieties of apple trees:

• Excellent yield - up to 100 kilograms of fruits can be harvested from one Melba tree;
• Apples keep well and are easy to transport - so they are especially good for sale. In addition, at proper storage fruits remain of high quality even after several months of storage;
• By themselves, apples look appetizing, have a rich aroma and easily recognizable taste;
• Low growth of trees - the harvest is easy to harvest, not high branches no fruit remains;
• Relative unpretentiousness in care and growth conditions;
• Good resistance to most popular diseases and pests;
• Among the shortcomings, not very high winter hardiness is noted - in the northern regions, the variety can grow poorly and develop slowly;
• Melba can be attacked by only two pests - codling moth and scab. Both of these pests can severely damage the tree, and they are not easy to get rid of;

Care

As mentioned above, Melba is relatively unpretentious in care. It does not require any specific care - standard actions are enough, which are carried out with any fruit trees:

• The soil periodically needs to be slightly loosened and weeds removed;
• Young trees up to five years old need abundant and regular watering. Adult apple trees can not be watered on purpose, only during very hot days;
• A year after planting, you can start feeding. They do this in the spring - a tablespoon of urea under a tree will be enough, the next top dressing - in the fall, half a kilogram of wood ash;
• In May, it is better to install trapping belts on a tree, they will help to cope with the codling moth;
• From about the fifth year, it is necessary to start pruning - just remove dry or broken shoots to correct the crown;