German medlar: planting, care, benefits and harms, as is, varieties

Germanic medlar is a heat-loving fruit tree adapted to the climatic conditions of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Transcaucasia. Several varieties have been bred in the culture, including those with high winter hardiness (up to -30 degrees). These varieties can be cultivated even in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region and other regions of the middle zone.

Description of the German medlar with a photo

German medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. There are several common names for the plant:

• winter pear (fruits ripen in the second half of autumn);
• abratsu (in Abkhazia);
• cones (in the North Caucasus);
• zykir (in Armenia);
• ezgil (in Azerbaijan).

It is a deciduous tree of medium height. In a warm climate (frost-free winter), German medlar reaches 7–8 m, but in the temperate zone it grows up to 3–4 m. The crown is spreading, the trunk is straight, it reaches 20 cm in diameter. small spines. The plant does not differ in species diversity. There are only 2 varieties of German loquat: large-fruited and multi-seeded.

The leaves of the German medlar are oval in shape, the color is light green. Quite large in size: up to 15 cm long, up to 4 cm wide. The surface is smooth, but there is a slight pubescence on the underside. By autumn, the leaves become bright red, then fall off.

The flowers of the German medlar are white and pale pink, up to 3 cm in diameter. In appearance, they resemble quince inflorescences. They appear from May to June.

The fruits are formed from mid-October to late November

They are small in size (3 cm in diameter), red-brown in color, have developed sepals.

Despite its name, the German loquat grows naturally in northern Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. The culture is also common in Transcaucasia, Bulgaria and Greece. In Our Country, it is found only in the southern regions – from the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory to the North Caucasus. Subject to careful care and shelter for the winter, it is possible to grow in the Moscow region and other regions of the middle lane. Cultivation in other areas is problematic due to the thermophilic nature of the German medlar.

Useful properties of the German loquat

The chemical composition of fruits contains many minerals and other useful compounds:

• organic acids;
• vitamins A, C, group B (B₁, AT₂, AT₃, AT₆, AT₉);
• iron, iodine, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, selenium;
• tannins;
• volatile production.

The fruits of the German loquat are prescribed for the treatment and prevention of certain diseases. Regular use has a positive effect on the human body:

• improves the digestive system;
• reduces pain in kidney stones;
• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• increases blood clotting;
• restores tissues;
• prevents the appearance of blood clots;
• prevents premature aging;
• strengthens nails, hair and bones;
• reduces the risk of developing cancer, strokes and heart attacks.

How to use German medlar

The fruits of the Germanic medlar have a firm texture and a sour taste due to the high content of acids. Therefore, they are not consumed immediately after collection. Beforehand, fruits need to be frozen in a convenient way:

• leave to winter on branches and pluck in early spring;
• collect before frost and send to the freezer for several days;
• place for long-term storage in a refrigerator or cellar.

Due to the cold treatment, the fruits of the German medlar soften and become noticeably sweet. At the same time, they dry out a little – they become covered with wrinkles and lose volume. The taste of ready-to-eat fruits resembles baked apples.

German loquat is prohibited for allergy sufferers, diabetics and people with digestive problems

Harvest can be used fresh, but more often used for cooking and drinks:

• jam;
• mousse cake;
• wine and liquor;
• sauce for meat dishes;
• sweet salad with other fruits;
• sherbet

Contraindications and harm of the German medlar

Germanic loquat is safe to eat. But in some cases, it gives allergic reactions, provokes diarrhea, heartburn and other unpleasant phenomena. Fruits should not be consumed:

• allergy sufferers;
• persons with gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis;
• patients with diabetes;
• children up to three years old inclusive.

How to grow German medlar

You can grow German loquat both in the southern regions and in central Our Country. The plant is not very whimsical, but needs some care (watering, top dressing, protection for the winter), especially in the first years of life.

Planting a German medlar

Planting seeds of German medlar is planned for early March. Growing instructions are as follows:

1. Several seeds are selected and placed overnight in a growth stimulator solution (Kornevin, Epin).
2. The soil mixture is prepared in advance from soddy land, humus, black peat and sand in equal amounts.
3. Treat it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You can put it in the freezer for a few days.
4. Planting containers are also washed with potassium permanganate. They put soil in them.
5. Seeds are planted at a depth of 1 cm with a distance of 5–7 cm from each other.
6. Humidify with settled water (you can use a spray bottle).
7. They put it on the windowsill, cover it with a film with holes and grow it under room conditions, periodically airing and watering.
8. After 1,5 months (i.e. closer to May), shoots will appear.
9. After the appearance of two pairs of leaves, the german medlar seedlings dive.

They are transplanted into open ground in early autumn or late spring, leaving them to winter at home. The landing area must be completely open and dry (not in a lowland). Planting in partial shade is allowed: the plant does not like direct sunlight during the hot period. The optimal soil type is fertile, light loam. 1–2 months before planting, compost or humus is introduced into the soil (one bucket per 1–2 m²), and if the earth is clay, add 1 kg of sawdust or sand to the same area.

Holes for planting German loquat are dug at a distance of 4–5 m, their depth should be small (the root collar is flush with the surface)

Plants are watered immediately, and also set pegs and tie up the stems.

How to care

When growing German medlar, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

1. The plant needs regular watering, so water should be given weekly, and twice as often in drought. It is advisable to defend it for 10-12 hours. Water for irrigation should not be cold.
2. Fertilizers are applied starting from the second season. In April, give urea (20 g per tree) or ammonium nitrate (15 g per well). In the summer, organics are added 3-4 times. Use mullein, infusion of green grass or citrus dressing, diluted 2 times.
3. The soil is periodically loosened, weeds are regularly removed.
4. For the winter, the trunk circle is mulched with fallen leaves, needles, sawdust, straw, peat. It is desirable to cover young seedlings with agrofiber.

Every autumn, German medlar must be cut and prepared for winter.

Features of growing German medlar in the Moscow region

Cultivated varieties are characterized by increased winter hardiness: they can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C, which makes it possible to grow a tree in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region. But it is worth considering a few features:

1. When growing seedlings, they are kept at home for at least one year, i.e. until next spring.
2. Transplantation into the ground is carried out only at the end of May, when there is no threat of return frosts.
3. German medlar cuttings are preferably grown in greenhouses or under banks, and transplanted into a pot for the winter and transferred to a cool room.
4. Pruning is carried out every spring and autumn: old, diseased branches are removed, skeletal shoots are shortened by half, and in the next two years by a quarter. Periodically thin out the crown.
5. For the winter, young seedlings are carefully mulched; they can also be wrapped with dense agrofiber or other material.

Methods of reproduction

German medlar can be propagated in several ways:

• seeds;
• cuttings;
• layering;
• vaccination.

Seeds have good germination, so this method is considered the most reliable. They are planted in March and grown in seedlings for at least six months (until autumn) or a year (until transplanting next spring).

The seeds of the plant are often used for cultivation.

Cuttings can be used to propagate mature German medlar trees. To do this, healthy shoots are cut off in May and cuttings 15–20 cm long are obtained from them. The leaves are shortened by half. Planted in moist, fertile soil to a depth of 5 cm (strictly vertically). They cover it with a bottle, transfer it to a cool room for the winter, and return it to open ground the next year.

It is even easier to breed German medlar with layering. To do this, in September, you need to bend down several lower branches, lay them in pre-dug grooves and pin them with staples. Previously, several cuts are made on the branches. The grooves are covered with soil and watered with Kornevin. Layers are grown for two years, after which all rooted parts are cut off and transplanted to a permanent place. It is better to do this also in the fall.

German medlar is grafted onto hawthorn, quince, plum, apple or pear. For this, two methods are used – in a split and behind the bark. The German medlar itself is sometimes used as a stock. Pears are grafted onto it.

Protection against diseases and pests

The German medlar is distinguished by good immunity to common diseases and pests. But sometimes it is affected by certain types of rot, which is especially often observed against the background of excessive moisture. Therefore, watering must be regulated, paying attention to the weather forecast and possible precipitation.

For prevention in spring and autumn, it is recommended to treat German medlar with any fungicide:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• “RAW”;
• “Maksim”;
• Horus
• Fundazol.

You can fight insects with folk remedies: an infusion of tobacco dust, wood ash with soap, onion peel, a decoction of potato tops. With the invasion of pests, insecticides will be more effective:

• “Biotlin”;
• “Aktara”;
• “Fufanon”;
• “Vertimek”;
• “Match”.

Varieties of German loquat for cultivation in the country

For cultivation in a summer cottage, several common varieties are suitable:

• Sweet Dracheva;

  

• Sochi;

  

• Goytkhovskaya;

  

• Khvamli;

  

• Sentesh Roja;

  

• Karadag.

  

All these varieties are large-fruited: fruits reach a diameter of 5 cm. Among seedless varieties, Apirena and Gromadnaya Evreinova are popular. The latter is distinguished by very large fruits, the diameter of which reaches 7–8 cm.

There are other interesting varieties of German medlar, for example, Dutch, which is a large shrub with straight trunks. Summer residents grow Royal, as well as Nottingham. These varieties bear small fruits, but they have an excellent taste and a pronounced fruity aroma.

Collection and storage

In autumn, the fruits turn red, with a brownish tint. They can be left to winter on the branches or removed immediately and sent to the cellar, refrigerator for long-term storage (temperature 2-6 degrees Celsius, humidity not more than 70%). If you need to use immediately, you should put it in the freezer for several days. Fruits can be eaten only after freezing.

The fruits of the German medlar ripen from mid-October to the end of November

Conclusion

Germanic medlar is an ornamental plant with tasty fruits. Harvest is used in folk medicine. Caring for the German medlar is simple. The main condition is the correct choice of variety, corresponding to the climatic features of a particular region.