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For the past half century, the cultivation of apple trees on various rootstocks has been very popular, which makes it possible to further expand the scope of growing apple trees, since not everyone is happy to see large tall trees in tiny plots. And dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks allow you to have several varieties of apple trees in your garden, even for owners of summer cottages of six acres.
Particularly interesting, from this point of view, are the so-called columnar apple trees. After all, these apple trees almost do not form ordinary side branches, and the fruits ripen right on the trunk. Of course, it is difficult to pass by such a miracle without admiring it. But they should not be confused with dwarf apple trees. Because columnar varieties arose as a result of a mutation that was caused by a lack of growth hormone. By fixing this mutation, breeders are able to create special columnar varieties of apple trees and other crops. Such varieties have many advantages – they practically do not need pruning, they are compact, beautiful, quite productive, winter-hardy, and even on a small piece of land, several varieties with different ripening periods can be planted at once.
The columnar apple tree Medoc is one of the most popular varieties, a description, photo and reviews of which you can study in this article. It has many of the advantages of columnar varieties and is even devoid of some of the disadvantages inherent in them. But first things first.
The history of occurrence and description of the variety
In 1987, at the Moscow Institute of Horticulture, by sowing seeds from free pollination of the donor of columnar KV 103, a new variety of apple trees was obtained. In 1993, the new variety received the number 385/342. After numerous trials, in 1996 it received the official name Medoc, and its reproduction and distribution began throughout the country. The work on the selection of the variety and its testing was carried out under the guidance of Professor V.V. Kichina, and N.G. helped her in this. Morozov.
The apple variety itself belongs to medium-sized trees, it is characterized by a columnar form of growth, the tree reaches a height of 2,2 meters. Since the apple trees of this variety have a powerful growth force, they are especially successful on dwarf rootstocks Mark and 62-396. The crown of the apple tree is very compact, does not exceed 25 cm in width, but is densely leafy. On the side branches, a maximum of 2-3 buds can be observed.
The leaves are quite large, standard green in color, elongated in shape with a pointed tip.
Due to this feature, trees tolerate both autumn and spring transplants well and are not susceptible to disease. Good apple trees of this variety resist the invasion of various pests.
Flowering of the Medoc apple tree occurs quite early, depending on the planting region, from late April to mid-May. The spectacle of an adult tree, completely covered with flowers from top to bottom, is impressive and mesmerizing.
For all columnar varieties of apple trees, the main task is to preserve the apical bud, since it is she who is responsible for the columnar shape of the tree. That is why, despite the overall significant frost resistance of the Medoc variety – the root system can withstand up to -42 ° C – it is recommended to cover the trunk and top of the tree with a heater to protect it from freezing. If the top still freezes, then you must immediately replace it with one of the side ones.
All columnar varieties are fast-growing. The columnar apple tree is no exception. Flowers may appear on it in the first year after planting. But the tree is not recommended to bear fruit at such an early age. Flowers should be cut off. But next year you will be able to get a sufficient amount of fruit. The Medoc apple tree reaches its maximum yield in about the fifth year of life, and it can reach up to 8-10 kg of apples from one tree.
However, using intensive technology for caring for apple trees, even this yield can be doubled.
The Medok apple tree belongs to late summer or early autumn varieties in terms of ripening. This is highly dependent on the climatic conditions of the area where this columnar variety grows. In the southern regions, where there is more sun and heat, apples ripen in August. In the northern regions, the harvest may take place in September.
Fruit Characteristics
The original appearance of a tree, strewn like a column from top to bottom with fruits, will not leave indifferent any gardener. But what about the apples themselves, does it make sense to grow them, or can the tree be used more for decorative purposes?
Apples of the Medoc variety are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- The fruits cannot be attributed to small ones, on average their weight is 150-200 grams, but there are individual specimens weighing up to 250 grams. The size of the fruit depends not so much on the age of the tree, but on the appropriate care for it: properly organized watering and top dressing.
- Apples are round in shape.
- The fruits have a fairly uniform white-yellow saturated color, without spots and strokes.
- The pulp is juicy, white in color, has a coarse-grained structure.
- The very name of the variety speaks of the high taste qualities of apples. Sweet fruits have a pronounced taste of honey. The aroma is light, almost imperceptible.
- The shelf life of fruits, like most summer varieties, is short – about a month.
- The Medoc variety is universal in use – it is good both fresh and in the form of numerous preparations for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The variety of the columnar apple tree Medoc has a large number of advantages that make it desirable for planting in almost any personal plot. Among the advantages, the following can be highlighted:
- The variety is very frost-resistant – it can withstand up to -42 ° C, that is, it can be grown even in the regions of Siberia, where the standard of unpretentiousness – Antonovka can suffer from freezing.
- A good, strong but compact root system that increases the stability of the tree on the one hand and allows it to be grown even in containers on the other hand.
- The apple tree is self-fertile and fast-growing.
- The variety is highly resistant to various diseases and pests.
- Apples have an excellent taste and are suitable for dietary and baby food.
Like every variety, Medka also has a number of disadvantages:
- The short shelf life of the fruit is only a month.
- Apple Medoc, like most columnar varieties, is able to bear fruit only for 12-16 years.
Features of cultivation and care
Planting a seedling of the Medoc apple tree can be done both in autumn and in spring. When planting, be sure to leave the grafting site above the soil surface. Columnar apple trees of this variety can be planted in rows with a distance between trees and rows of 40 or 50 cm.
By the way, sowing some flowers, like marigolds and calendula, can scare away many pests of the apple tree.
All columnar apple trees, and the Medoc is no exception, need regular maintenance. Watering should be done at least twice a week. Top dressing should also be regular, starting from the spring period of awakening of the kidneys and until the leaves are flying around.
Warming and wrapping the trunk with burlap for the winter is very desirable, especially in the northern regions. In Siberia, it is desirable to wrap the entire tree for the winter in order to avoid freezing of the apical bud.
Reviews of gardeners about the variety Medoc
Reviews of summer residents and gardeners cannot but pay tribute to the beauty and uniqueness of the appearance of the Medoc apple tree. Do not forget about the early harvest and the taste of apples.
Columnar apple trees captivate with many invaluable qualities. But in the Medoc variety, everyone will find something valuable or useful, or beauty, or taste, or precocity, or unpretentiousness.
