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The columnar apple tree for Siberia is one of the best options, since the culture has high immunity and winter hardiness. When choosing, you should pay attention to the condition of the seedlings, and it is better to plan planting in the spring – if you do this in the fall, the plants may die.
Frost-resistant varieties of columnar apple trees for Siberia
In order to be able to grow a columnar apple tree in Siberia, it is necessary to carefully select varieties. Not all varieties that grow, for example, in the middle lane, are suitable for the Siberian region. Only the most winter-hardy crops can be grown here.
Western
The climate of Western Siberia is somewhat milder than that of Eastern Siberia. In winter, there is enough precipitation here, a good snow cover is formed. The temperature, as a rule, does not fall below -32 degrees. Extreme frosts last only a few days, after which they recede. However, there are thaws, even in December, which cause temperature drops that are detrimental to many plants.
Therefore, for cultivation in Western Siberia, one should choose such varieties of columnar apple trees:
- Medoc is one of the best varieties that grows in regions with a harsh climate. The columnar tree reaches a height of 2,5 m. It belongs to semi-dwarf varieties. It gives good, stable yields, is immune to many diseases and pests. The apples are light yellow, the structure is granular, the flesh is sunny, the taste is honey, which gave the variety its name. The weight of fruits is on average 200-250 g. The columnar apple tree is well suited for Siberia, since frost resistance reaches 30-35 degrees. Harvest at the end of summer.
- President – a summer variety for Western Siberia, also suitable for the middle lane, including the Moscow region. The apple tree is columnar, semi-dwarf, with a compact form. It has high winter hardiness up to -35 degrees, is characterized by good immunity. The yield is average – up to 10 kg of fruit per tree. Their flesh is juicy, fragrant, the taste is sweet. The fruits are light yellow, have a blush on the side, weight is from 100 to 200 g.
- Ostankino is another columnar apple tree for Siberia. The tree is semi-dwarf, medium-sized, reaches a height of 2-2,5 m. Productivity and precocity are high, immunity is good. One tree gives from 6 to 16 kg, depending on the care. The fruits are light green in color, there is a blush. The pulp is juicy, sweetish. The ripening period is in mid-September. Winter hardiness up to -25 degrees.
- Among the new varieties of columnar apple trees for Siberia, one can name Triumph. It was launched not so long ago, and in 2015 it was registered and received a patent. Differs in high productivity and precocity, It has good immunity to diseases and pests. Gives juicy and large fruits of dark red coloring. Ripening occurs in mid-September. For a long time, the fruits are not stored – they must be immediately used for food.
Eastern
For Eastern Siberia, there are very few varieties of winter-hardy columnar apple trees that really do not freeze and give a good harvest. These include Vasyugan and Iksha. These are suitable varieties that are highly winter hardy, so they can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees, recovering well in spring. They also have other features:
- Vasyugan is one of the best varieties of columnar apple trees for Eastern Siberia. Tolerates extreme temperatures down to -42 degrees. It reaches a height of 2,5 to 3 m. A variety of domestic origin, early ripening – from mid to late September. The fruits are quite large, the pulp is firm. The shape of the fruit is conical, the color is striped, with a bright shade of red. The taste is marked by a balance of sweet and sour, the pulp is quite juicy. The mass of one fruit is 150-200 g. Another advantage of the variety is good immunity to diseases and pests.
- Iksha is a columnar apple variety for Eastern Siberia with a very high winter hardiness, can withstand up to -40 degrees. The fruits begin to form at the end of August. The collection period lasts until mid-September. This apple variety for Siberia produces relatively large fruits weighing 150-180 g. The hue is orange-red, attractive, the pulp is juicy.
How to plant a columnar apple tree in spring in Siberia
When planting columnar apple trees in Siberia, it is especially important to set dates and choose a place. Equally important is the condition of the seedlings themselves. The basic selection rules, as well as the landing algorithm, are described below.
Selection of seedlings
It is better to buy seedlings in nurseries and other responsible suppliers with a long-term reputation. When choosing planting material, you should pay attention to several points:
- The presence of a tag with age, a description of the stock, variety or relevant documentation from the seller.
- The appearance of the roots – it is worth taking seedlings in pots and transferring them to the ground by transshipment, preserving the earthen clod to the maximum.
- 2-year-old seedlings are best suited for planting, although annuals can also be purchased, and such a plant should not have shoots.
- General healthy appearance – no mechanical damage, signs of disease.
It is recommended to buy seedlings in pots
The day before planting, it can be soaked in a clay mash with a growth stimulant solution, for example, Epin or Heteroauxin.
Terms of planting
It is better to plant columnar apple trees in Siberia in spring. The standard term is autumn, but this option is not suitable for regions with severe winters, since young seedlings can be severely damaged and even die in cold weather.
Therefore, it is best to start work in the first half of April, when the snow masses completely disappear and the temperature becomes stable positive. At the same time, short-term night frosts are not terrible, but if the soil has not yet thawed at a depth of 30-40 cm, it is worth waiting another 2-3 weeks.
Site Selection
Fruit trees feel best in open and dry areas, well protected from through wind. Buildings may be nearby as long as they do not provide shade, but the presence of large trees in the neighborhood is undesirable, as they will take away water and nutrients dissolved in it.
When choosing a place for planting columnar apple trees in Siberia, lowlands should be excluded, since water constantly accumulates here after rains. You also need to make sure that groundwater does not fit higher than 1,5-2 m to the surface. Otherwise, the roots will suffer from excess moisture and may die.
Landing technology
Since columnar apple trees have a compact crown, they can be planted next to each other with a small interval of 1-2 m. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Dig holes with a depth and diameter of 70-80 cm.
- Set the support in the center (you can take a peg).
- Pour a layer of small stones to the bottom.
- Then plant a seedling and sprinkle with fertile soil.
- Tamp so that the root neck goes to a depth of 5-7 cm.
- Water and after a few days mulch with hay, straw or other materials.
The scheme of planting and pruning a seedling of a columnar apple tree
Caring for a columnar apple tree in Siberia
You can take care of columnar apple trees in Siberia in much the same way as in other regions. The only exception is preparation for winter – this event should be taken especially carefully. The main rules are described below.
Watering
Young seedlings of columnar apple trees are watered weekly, adult trees are given water 1-2 times a month. But if there is no rain at all, and a drought has set in, it is recommended to water every 7-10 days, and in the evening to carry out sprinkling of the crown.
Feeding
Top dressing for columnar apple trees in Siberia is given regularly, starting from the second season. In the spring, at the beginning of April, nitrogen compounds are added, for example, urea, ammonium nitrate. During budding and formation of ovaries, superphosphate and potassium salt should be given. In early autumn, the trunk circle can be sprinkled with wood ash. It is also recommended to alternate complex mineral supplements with organic matter – during the warm season, water monthly with mullein 1:10 or bird droppings 1:20.
Trimming and shaping
Pruning of columnar apple trees in Siberia is carried out in early spring, before the buds begin to swell. Remove all frozen, weakened and old branches. At the same time, they begin to form a crown – two buds are left on young shoots. The apical one is not touched – it must constantly give growth. Long branches on the side are cut under the stump to stimulate the growth of young layers.
Preparing a columnar apple tree for winter in Siberia
Even winter-hardy varieties have a risk of freezing, so it is better to cover columnar apple trees in Siberia for the winter. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- In mid-October, after the Indian summer, the trunk circle is mulched with hay, straw, peat – the height of the material is from 20-30 cm. Pre-fallen leaves and branches must be completely removed.
- Immediately on the eve of frost, the tree is wrapped with several layers of spandbond or other heaters.
- The trunk is wrapped with chain-link to protect the apple tree from rodents.
- After snowfalls, snow is added to it and compacted near the trunk circle.
Columnar apple trees take up little space and give a good harvest.
Diseases and pests
Almost all varieties for Siberia are distinguished by good immunity to various diseases and pests. However, powdery mildew, gray mold, scab and other dangerous pathologies cannot be ruled out. For prevention, it is recommended to observe the watering rate, and in the spring to treat with fungicides, for example, Bordeaux liquid, HOM, Abiga-Peak and others.
Of the pests, spider mites, aphids, leafworms, apple flower beetles, codling moths and others are dangerous. Periodically, trees should be inspected and treated with insecticides:
- “Decis”;
- “Karate”;
- “Inta-Vir”;
- “Actara”.
If the apple tree has entered the fruiting period, folk remedies should be used, for example, an infusion of ash, onion peel, garlic or tobacco dust.
Conclusion
The columnar apple tree for Siberia is quite suitable for both western and eastern regions. The culture is winter-hardy, does not take up much space and is not demanding to care for. If you regularly water and fertilize, the harvest will be consistently high, and the fruits will be quite large.
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