Contents
The Ostankino columnar apple tree belongs to the category of time-tested varieties, the cultivation of which does not cause difficulties even for novice gardeners. Also, the species is characterized by excellent fruit taste and unpretentiousness to growing conditions. These qualities allow the Ostankino apple tree to remain relevant, despite the emergence of new columnar species. However, in order for it to be able to show maximum performance, it is necessary to land and provide care taking into account its characteristics.
Ostankino – the first domestic variety of columnar apple
History of breeding
This type of culture was bred back in Soviet times, namely in 1974. Breeding work was carried out at the Institute of Horticulture, located in Moscow, namely in the Biryulyovo East region. The author of the variety is the head of the department of selection and genetics VV Kichina. The aim of the creation was to obtain a variety with a compact crown, high vitality, good yield and excellent taste.
The following species became the basis for the Ostankino apple tree: Vazhak and Abundant. The resulting seedling managed to absorb the best qualities of its ancestors, and surpass them in terms of characteristics. Based on the results of successful variety trials, this species was included in the State Register in 2002.
Description of the columnar apple tree Ostankino
Externally, the Ostankino apple tree is fundamentally different from the standard types of culture. This makes it possible to accurately determine compliance with the variety.
Crown
According to the breeder’s description, the columnar Ostankino apple tree is a medium-sized, small-sized and compact tree, the height of which reaches 2,5 m. The crown is well leafy, but at the same time, its growth diameter is only 40-50 cm. The wood of the Ostankino apple tree is highly durable. It easily withstands the load during the fruiting period and does not bend from strong gusts of wind.
Shoots thickened, covered with gray-brown bark, without edging. Their internodes are short. The buds of the Ostankino apple tree are small, wide-conical, of a gray-conical hue.
The leaves are obovate, 12-14 cm long and about 6 cm wide. The plates are flattened, smooth, dark green in color, with serrations along the edge and moderately pronounced venation. Petioles are short, thickened, with anthocyanin at the base. Stipules narrowly ovate with a dissected edge, medium length.
The buds are small, simple, consisting of five elongated tuberculate corrugated petals of a white-pink hue. The flowering period begins in the second half of May.
The annual growth of the Ostankino apple tree is 5-10 cm
Fruit
Apples are rounded, one-dimensional, slightly flattened, symmetrical. Their average weight is 100-150 g, but there are specimens weighing 250-300 g. The main color of apples is greenish-yellow, the integument is red-violet, it occupies 2/3 of the part. The skin is thin, dense. Seed chambers of the closed type. The stalks are short, the axial cavity is absent. When you cut an apple, you can see the fine-grained, juicy, white flesh.
The fruits are placed on the trunk evenly, closely. They are already formed at a height of 35-40 cm from the soil level.
Characteristics of the columnar apple tree Ostankino
To evaluate the productivity of the Ostankino variety and compare it with other columnar types of crops, it is necessary to study its characteristics. It will also allow you to find out what growing conditions for a given apple tree are optimal.
Palatability
The taste of the fruits of the Ostankino variety is balanced, dessert. It is dominated by sweetness, but there is also a slight sourness. Apples are suitable for fresh consumption and processing. The tasting score of the variety is 4,3 points out of a possible 5.
Fruits exude a pleasant moderate aroma when ripe.
When the Ostankino columnar apple tree ripens
The columnar apple tree Ostankino has an average fruit ripening period. Harvesting is recommended in early to mid-September, depending on the growing region. Although in terms of storage time, the Ostankino variety is not inferior to winter types of culture. If the conditions are met, the harvested crop retains consumer properties until December.
Productivity
This columnar apple tree is fast-growing. Already in the second year of planting, it gives the first fruits. And when reaching the age of five years, the yield is 7-9 kg. But with proper care, this level can be doubled.
The columnar apple tree Ostankino bears fruit annually
Frost resistance
This tree has an average level of frost resistance. The apple tree does not suffer from a drop in temperature to -25 ° C. Therefore, when grown in the central regions, it winters well.
Pollinators
The Ostankino apple tree is self-pollinating. Therefore, it does not require the close placement of pollinating trees. This explains the high level of fruit set.
Growing regions
The variety of the columnar apple tree Ostankino is promising for the Non-Black Earth Region and the Black Earth Center. It has become widespread in central Our Country, where it shows high productivity. Most often, a columnar apple tree can be found in summer cottages and household plots of the Moscow region. Perm and Samara regions.
Resistance to diseases
According to the characteristics of the variety, the Ostankinskaya columnar apple tree has an increased resistance to scab, as well as other common fungal diseases of the crop. It is also less susceptible to pests. However, inconsistency in growing conditions increases the likelihood of damage. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend not to ignore preventive treatments.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ostankino’s home columnar apple tree has many advantages, which allows it to compete with new species. But it also has certain disadvantages that you need to pay attention to when choosing this variety.
The life potential of the Ostankino apple tree is 15 years
Main advantages:
- compact size;
- precociousness;
- high yield;
- excellent presentation;
- dessert taste;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
Disadvantages:
- the tree quickly becomes obsolete;
- increased cost of seedlings.
How to plant an Ostankino apple tree
For the full development and abundant fruiting of the autumn columnar apple tree Ostankino, it is necessary to properly plant it. One-year-old seedlings are the best option, as they quickly adapt to a new place. It is necessary to purchase planting material in nurseries and specialized stores. When buying, you need to inspect the seedling. It should not have signs of diseases, pests, and the root system is well developed.
For the Ostankino columnar apple tree, you need to choose an open sunny area, protected from cold gusts of wind. It is important that the soil is loose, nutritious. The best option is loam with a neutral level of acidity.
Two weeks before planting, it is necessary to prepare a hole measuring 60 by 60 cm. It is recommended to fill it with a nutritious soil mixture consisting of turf, sand, peat, humus in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. And you also need to additionally add 50 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium sulfide, and then thoroughly mix the fertilizer with the ground.
Algorithm of actions:
- Make a slight rise in the center of the hole.
- Put a seedling on it, gently straighten the roots.
- Water the apple tree.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, fill all the voids.
- Compact the soil surface at the base.
Care instructions
The Ostankino apple tree requires more careful care than standard types of culture. Therefore, when choosing it, this must be taken into account.
It is recommended to water the tree regularly 2-3 times a week with a long absence of rain. To do this, you can use settled water with a temperature of + 18-22 ° C. Humidification should be carried out in the evening with wetting the soil in the root circle up to 10 cm.
Early and regular fruiting of the variety requires a sufficient amount of nutrients. Therefore, the Ostankino apple tree needs to be fertilized three times per season. The first time it is recommended to carry out the subcortex in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, using urea at the rate of 30-80 g, depending on the age of the plant.
The second time to fertilize the Ostankino apple tree is necessary after flowering. During this period, the use of nitroammophoska at the rate of 30-70 g per tree is relevant. And the third dressing is recommended during fruit growth. During this period, it is necessary to use superphosphate 50-100 g and potassium sulfide 40-80 g per apple tree. Also, in late autumn, it is recommended to lay humus in the root circle of the Ostankino apple tree with a layer of up to 10 cm.
In young seedlings, it is necessary to normalize the load in order to increase the life potential. Therefore, in the first season, it is necessary to remove all the flowers on the apple tree. In the second year, you can leave no more than five buds. And in the future, it is recommended to constantly monitor the amount of ovary, which will allow you to grow large apples.
Each fruiting branch should have no more than 2-3 flowers.
For the columnar Ostankino apple tree, the correct formation of the crown is important. In this case, it must be borne in mind that the trunk should be one. When 2-4 shoots appear at the top of the tree, you must select one of the strongest, and remove the rest.
In the first year after planting the Ostankino columnar autumn apple tree, side shoots should be shortened to two buds. For the second and third seasons, it is recommended to leave the whole branch growing horizontally, and cut the shoots closer to the main conductor to two buds. Similarly, form fruit links up to five years old. And after that, cut them off at the trunk, exposing the lower part of the apple tree. Pruning should be carried out in early spring before the start of the growing season or in the fall after it ends.
The Ostankino apple tree needs warming for the winter in order to maintain a growth point. To do this, it is necessary to wrap the crown of the tree with spandbond in several layers. The procedure is carried out before the onset of frost.
Collection and storage
It is necessary to harvest in the morning in dry weather. For long-term storage, it is recommended to cut apples with petioles with scissors. It is recommended to stack them in cardboard boxes, lining the layers with paper. It is necessary to save the crop at a temperature of + 2-4 ° C and a humidity of about 70% in a dark room so that it lies as long as possible.
It is impossible to wash and wipe the fruits before storing
Conclusion
The columnar Ostankino apple tree is ideal for growing in small household plots, as it is characterized by a compact crown. But at the same time, it gives a generous harvest every year. However, when growing it, it is necessary to control the load on the tree so that the fruits are large in size. It is also worth considering that the variety needs to be updated frequently, since it has a shorter viability period than standard types of culture.
Reviews of gardeners about the Ostankino apple tree
