Contents
The columnar apple tree Scarlet sails (Alie Parusa) is one of the promising varieties of fruit trees. The main advantage of the variety is precocity and abundant fruiting, despite its small growth. During the ripening period, the tree is strewn with fruits, like garlands. Therefore, the variety is often grown not only to obtain apples and decorate the site.
History of breeding
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” was bred in the Crimea by the candidate of agricultural sciences, breeder Kachalkin Mikhail Vitalievich. Recorded as number 1-190. In addition to the “Scarlet Sails” species, he is the author of 13 more columnar varieties. In the State Register of Ukraine since 1994.
Description of the variety of the columnar apple tree Scarlet sails with a photo
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails”, as a rule, grows with one trunk up to 2-2,5 m. The strength of growth is average. Flowering lasts 1 week, fruit shedding is low.
Suitable for growing in private farms and industrial scale.
The tree is medium. Internodes are short, lateral branches are small or absent. The leaves are large, light green. Escape with thick, dense skin.
The first columnar varieties of apple trees appeared in the sixties of the last century.
Appearance of fruit and tree
Apples are bright red. The variety is considered large-fruited, one copy can reach from 0,16 to 0,25 kg. The shape is rounded. The peel of the fruit is dense, inside the apples are white, juicy and grainy. With a pleasant aroma. There are few seeds.
Life time
On average, columnar apple varieties live and bear fruit for no more than 15 years. Therefore, plantings must be updated every few years.
Taste
The taste qualities of columnar apple trees depend on weather conditions and the moment of consumption. According to their taste, they are called sweet and sour. Dessert apples. On average, fruits are estimated at 4-4,5 points.
Growing regions
The columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” has proven itself best in the southern regions of Ukraine and in the Crimea. Suitable for planting in the gardens of Central Our Country.
Productivity
On average, one young columnar tree of the Scarlet Sails variety produces 3 kg of fruit. With age, the yield of apple trees increases. By 5-6 years is 7-8 kg.
In landscape design, columnar varieties of apple trees are used to create hedges.
Frost resistance
According to the producers, the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” is suitable for growing in the Central part of Our Country. Tolerates cold down to -45 °C. But sometimes sub-zero temperatures after a thaw turn out to be fatal for a plant. With return frosts, a columnar apple tree can freeze even at -24 ° C.
Disease and pest resistance
The resistance of the variety “Scarlet sails” to scab is noted. Also, gardeners noticed immunity to powdery mildew.
Flowering period and ripening period
A distinctive feature of all columnar apple trees is their precocity. Most varieties begin to bear fruit for 2-3 years of planting. In the future, the fruits are formed annually. The first ripe apples appear at the end of the calendar summer or the beginning of autumn.
Fruit trees with a columnar crown shape are afraid of frost
Pollinators
Varieties such as Melba, Prime Gold, Vista Bella can serve as pollinators for Scarlet Sails apples. As well as varieties “Mantet” and “Gala Mast”.
Transportation and storage
The fruits of the columnar apple trees “Scarlet Sails” can be transported over long distances. They are stored in the cellar until the onset of cold weather. In the refrigerator – until the middle of winter. If stored for a long time, the pulp may turn pinkish.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other culture, the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of the variety | Grade Cons |
Long shelf life – up to three months
| Expensive planting material per unit area
|
Decorative and compact
| Increased demands |
Easy picking of fruits
| Freezing |
Small landing area |
|
Skoroplodnost |
|
Good palatability |
|
How to plant a columnar apple tree Scarlet sails
In the central part of Our Country, the spring planting of columnar apple varieties begins after the soil freezes and continues until the first days of May. More preferable is the autumn planting, which is carried out in the period from 1 to 20 October.
The color of the fruits of the Scarlet Sails variety can vary from pinkish to bright red.
Selection of seedlings
Agronomists recommend buying columnar seedlings only in specially designated places. When buying an apple tree “Scarlet Sails”, special care must be taken. According to breeders, 90% of seedlings of the columnar variety were obtained by unscrupulous producers and do not have the varietal qualities characteristic of it.
“Scarlet Sails” should be grown on dwarf and super-dwarf rootstocks. But producers do not want to grow trees on dwarf rootstocks, as this makes the seedlings nondescript. They have a small height and an unbranched root system. Therefore, trees growing on a medium-sized and seedling rootstock are more often found on sale. Such an apple tree is characterized by poor fruiting and in most cases does not live up to the hopes of gardeners.
Contrary to popular belief, it is recommended to buy young plants with an open root system and plant them immediately in a permanent place.
During transportation, the roots are covered with a wet cloth and placed in a plastic bag. Before planting, soak for 12 hours in water or for 3-6 hours in a solution of a root formation stimulator.
Planting material for the garden is recommended to be purchased in nurseries
Rules of landing
For planting a columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” choose the brightest area in the garden. Otherwise, the flower bud will not be laid. Groundwater should be no higher than 1 m from ground level.
A planting hole is dug according to the size of the roots of the seedling. Too long – shortened. For better survival before planting, they are recommended to be dipped in a clay mash.
The pit for planting the variety should be well-drained and contain a large amount of nutrients. Crushed stone or any other small stone can be used as drainage. It is best to fill the pit with a mixture of peat, garden soil and humus in a ratio of 1: 1: 1 when planting seedlings. Add 100 g of superphosphate and wood ash. Compact the soil well after planting.
The same variety is planted in a row, as seedlings may have different growth strength. The taller variety will overtake the shorter variety, leaving some columnar apple trees in the shade as a result.
The small height and compactness of their crowns make it possible to plant columnar varieties of apple trees very densely. Even when the plants are close together, they do not obscure each other. Breeders working on breeding this variety of fruit crops recommend leaving a distance of 30-50 cm between bushes, and up to 1 m in rows.
Columnar apple varieties can be planted close together
Cultivation and care
Variety “Scarlet Sails” requires increased attention. The root system of columnar varieties is less branched, so they need more frequent watering and top dressing. You need to moisten the soil as it dries. Fertilize at least 4 times per season. The year of landing is also no exception.
Top dressing starts from the end of July. Superphosphate 40 g / 10 l of water and 0,5 l of wood ash are added. Subsequently, the procedure is repeated once a month until mid-October. In the autumn, nitrogen fertilizers are excluded.
Due to its compactness, pruning of the columnar apple tree is practically not required. The need to remove lateral shoots usually appears when the upper bud dies. If she did not have time to mature, and the plant froze, the tree begins to let out side branches and loses its columnar shape. Therefore, in early spring, these new shoots must be cut.
To avoid freezing, a columnar tree for the winter can be wrapped with covering material in several layers.
To get a good harvest, apple trees need to be periodically fed.
Collection and storage
The first red fruits of the columnar apple tree “Scarlet Sails” can be harvested in the second half of August. Full ripening of apples, as a rule, occurs in September or October. Plucked fruits are stored in a dark, cool place.
Conclusion
The columnar apple tree Scarlet Sails is a small tree that bears fruit already for 2-3 years of planting. Unlike other varieties, the crown is compact and allows you to plant many plants even in a small area. Trees are used in landscape design for planting along paths and fences, demanding care.
Reviews
