Apple-tree columnar "Moscow necklace"

Apple tree Moscow necklace was bred by Canadian breeders back in 1960. Gradually, the variety has spread to various territories and continents. So, creating a constant supply of varieties to a variety, taking the variety as a basis Mac, already domestic breeders managed to achieve an unprecedented result - an apple variety called Moscow Necklace was bred. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on the description of the variety, on the most basic characteristics of the Moscow necklace apple tree and on its features. We will also tell you how to follow agrotechnical rules when planting a columnar apple-tree Moscow necklace, and what kind of care the trees need in the future so that the gardener can get a plentiful and, most importantly, tasty harvest. The article and the materials presented in it are based on the professional views of breeders, as well as on the feedback from experienced gardeners who already have experience in planting and distributing this apple variety.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: photo of the variety

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: variety description and characteristics

The columnar apple tree called the Moscow Necklace is a winter variety that was bred in our country by domestic breeders. The author of the variety is initially considered M.V. Kachalkin, who took some American and Canadian varieties as a basis, and strove to create trees that would perfectly adapt directly on the territory of our country.

Culture today is regionalized in almost all areas and in all regions of Russia. But here some reservation should be made - to a particular extent, the variety is popular directly in central Russia, as well as in Siberia. There is nothing strange in this - the winter variety can perfectly withstand temperature instability, and it can certainly be completely calm about even the most severe frosts. In addition, the variety has a high level of stress resistance and immunity, especially if we talk about the most dangerous diseases that are common in fruit and berry crops.

This apple tree can be considered both a dwarf and a semi-dwarf culture. Due to the fact that the crown of the tree is not at all large, but on the contrary - very compact, in general the Moscow necklace does not take up too much space on the personal plot, which, of course, is a huge advantage of this variety. It is also worth mentioning that, based on the name, the tree has the shape of a column, on which medium-sized round fruits can be located in a sufficiently large number. When the fruits are just forming, they have a green color, but as they ripen, they begin to turn red, become more liquid. Despite the compact upper, outer part, the root system of the tree is very large and strong, so the tree tolerates transplanting processes very calmly. In general, after transplantation, it can even become even stronger, and this is its huge advantage.

Apple Moscow necklace: photo

Also, of course, the Moscow necklace apple tree has some advantages and features when it comes to comparing the Moscow necklace with other varieties of a similar type or subspecies. The tree is very popular with gardeners, it is valued precisely because it has a large number of advantages. They are indicative and include the following:

• the variety is distinguished by a high level of resistance to sharp frosts, and also, in general, can be calm about temperature extremes. Such conditions, even in a sense, can temper the tree, making it more developed.
• the variety has high rates of resistance to fungal diseases. In particular, trees in general almost never get sick with scab.
• the yield is at a high level, besides, the apple harvest Moscow necklace turns out to be not only abundant, but also annual, very stable
• Moscow necklace apples are of high quality, they are abundant, large, very tasty, which is also a huge plus
• a columnar apple tree of the Moscow Necklace variety - an unusual, very decorative look, which is also, undoubtedly, a huge plus

Also, nevertheless, the gardener should pay attention to some of the disadvantages of the variety, since when purchasing seedlings, it is worth paying attention to many little things. Among them, such as the high price of the planting material itself, as well as the fact that the apple tree, despite the favorable conditions created, is still not a long-liver. The tree turns out to be short, its growth usually varies from two to three meters, no more. The crown is completely oversized, located on a fairly strong trunk, but does not take up too much space. In addition, the crown as a whole should be periodically trimmed, giving it a pleasant shape, this will be just enough to preserve the decorative features of the variety.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: photo of the variety

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: pollinators of the variety

The Moscow necklace apple tree cannot be called 100% self-fertile, so it needs pollinating trees nearby. At the same time, fruiting (if suitable pollinating varieties are found) becomes abundant and rather stable. It is regular, the apples are either medium-sized or very large. They are round in shape, the weight of one apple varies from 170 to 250 grams, and up to 10 kilograms of fruit can usually be harvested from one tree. The taste as a whole does not differ in any way from standard dessert varieties. The pulp has small grains, crunchy, very dense and juicy. By the way, about the juiciness: sometimes, if the apples do not stand up and fall to the ground, then they can easily split easily.

The Moscow necklace apple variety is distinguished by a high level of exposure to frost, and in general it tolerates sharp temperature changes quite calmly. Without additional shelter, the tree tolerates a drop in temperatures down to -45 degrees, in particular, this indicator is of particular importance when the tree grows directly on the territory of the northern region. In principle, this variety was bred for this part of the country - it is stable, fruitful, the taste properties do not suffer in any way from frost. Of course, this is a huge advantage, to which it is impossible to just close your eyes and not pay attention. The variety is resistant to diseases, experienced gardeners say that the Moscow Necklace in general, in principle, almost never gets sick. Thanks to this, the gardener can significantly save time on preventive treatments of the tree, which, of course, is a significant advantage. One way or another, you should periodically look after the tree, inspect the branches, monitor the general condition of the plant and soil that is located around the planting. It is also worth emphasizing that you can preserve the environmental friendliness and safety of the apple tree and its fruits.

One way or another, this tree does not have a very long lifespan when compared with many other apple varieties. The maximum that a tree can live up to is 25 years, and then in recent years it does not produce any fruits at all, and if there is a yield, then it is completely unstable, the fruits are small and not particularly tasty.Thus, fruiting may stop at the fifteenth year of the plant's life, but the tree will still stand, delight the gardener with its decorative appearance, especially if you periodically take care of it, carry out sanitary and renewal pruning. Of course, for all this to happen, the gardener should know some of the subtleties that relate to the planting of the Moscow necklace apple tree, and the subsequent care of it. Later in this article we will provide more detailed and meaningful information on these topics.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: photo of the variety

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: planting

The flowering of the Moscow necklace apple variety can begin from the very first year of the tree's life. One way or another, you should not follow all the advice that gardeners give. Sometimes it will be best to plant a tree in the autumn, and it is best to do this either at the end of September, or already at the very beginning of October. That is, it is better to plant before very severe frosts, so that it is easier for the tree to get used to new conditions, adapt to them, and also in general, so that it is easier for the tree to rebuild its root system for growth in open conditions, since this is really very important.

For disembarkation, you should also take care of the choice of the place. It should be sufficiently illuminated, and also, if we talk about the composition of the soil, it should be, at best, either sandy loam or loamy soils. The pit should be prepared in advance, with the expectation that the root system should not only be deeply located, but it should also be located freely, that is, at the bottom of the pit there should be enough space for this. Also, humus and compost are then added to the pit, and the tree itself is then sprinkled with the same mixture, which is installed in the hole. Again, you should not press the root system too tightly with earth, but there should be no air pockets near the root system. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the root system will feel very uncomfortable and, accordingly, development will be inhibited.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: photo of the variety

As we have already noted, the Moscow necklace apple variety is a very compact plant. You can plant several trees in a small area at once, and do not worry at all that they will interfere with each other, or will shade each other. At the same time, when planting trees at the same time, it is worth remembering that the distance between them should be at least half a meter. Only in this case, not only the plants will feel comfortable, but the gardener will also have more space to care for the plants, as well as for the subsequent harvest. In order for the Moscow Necklace apple-tree sapling to take root in the soil easier and faster, it is necessary to water it with exceptionally warm water, which has already settled down. In particular, this rule should be observed in the very first month after planting the variety. In order to prevent the seedling from freezing in winter, it is necessary to mulch the trunk circle before the onset of frost. Ideally, mineral mixtures and fertilizers are suitable for mulching, since they not only protect the plant, but also give the soil more nutritional value, minerality, and saturation.

In order for the apple tree to produce a sufficient number of fruits, and the yield as a whole was at a high level, the trees should be periodically fed. For this, some components are introduced into the soil. For example, in the spring, the gardener loosens the soil, and during this process he also adds a little urea to the trunk circle. With the onset of summer, it is worth fertilizing the plant with wood ash, scattering it especially carefully right near the trunk. Also, in the autumn, a certain amount of dolomite flour is added directly to the soil.The advantage of these components is that they have a high level of efficiency, yet they are completely inexpensive, very affordable for the gardener.

Pruning - an important step in plant care. For the first time, it is worth pruning the apple tree immediately after it has been planted in open ground. In order for the Moscow necklace apple tree not to freeze, it is worth cutting off the top in winter until the very first and strongest shoot starts growing. Further pruning should not be done very often. Here the gardener is best guided by the general condition of the plant, its external properties and characteristics of the Moscow necklace apple tree. Mostly, it is best to remove the driest and weakest branches, since they not only spoil the appearance of the plant, but they also take away many nutrients from it, although there is absolutely no sense from them.

The cultivar needs trees to become its pollinating cultivars. For this, ideally, other apple trees that belong to columnar subtype. At the same time, the best varieties are considered to be such as Vasyugan and President, since with them the Moscow necklace has the most similar characteristics and properties, and this, of course, is very important. It is on the pollinators that the abundance of fruiting depends and what quality and what taste properties the future apples will be.

Experienced gardeners say it's best not to plant this apple variety in the spring. But still there are those who break this rule, and the landing is carried out with the onset of the first warm days. In this case, the very first harvest of own apples from this tree can be tasted already this year. Although they will not differ in any taste characteristics, since they simply do not have time to get enough energy and strength, they will be small and sour.

If you plant an apple tree of the Moscow Necklace variety in the fall, then the fruits will appear next year. At the same time, their number from year to year will become even more, and already in the seventh year of life the plant will reach its maximum in development and, accordingly, at this time there will be a high chance that the gardener will receive the best, abundant, useful and, most importantly, a very tasty harvest, and this is certainly very important. During the first harvest, it will be possible to collect no more than six apples from the plot, from one tree in particular, and you should not expect that the first harvest will immediately be very tasty and sweet. Flowering begins already in the first year of the plant's life, but the very first flowers appear in May, they are very fragrant and quite large.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: when does it ripen?

We have already repeatedly pointed out that the Moscow necklace is a winter apple variety, apples can be expected by a fairly late moment, they reach their full ripeness in the period from late September to early October. In this case, the fruits can be stored for a certain time, the main thing is to choose a suitable room and create suitable temperature conditions. If conditions are favorable, the fruits can last until next spring, and the apples can be stored in the cellar for the next three months. At the same time, they do not lose their gustatory and external characteristics at all, the fruits remain very tasty and healthy. There are not many subspecies of the Moscow necklace, but there are still several new varieties, the parents of which are the Moscow necklace and other special varieties. These varieties include Moscow necklace-2 and Krokha.

Column-shaped apple tree Moscow necklace: photo of the variety

Apple-tree Moscow necklace-2 - This is a mid-autumn type of apple tree that reaches a height of no more than three meters. At the same time, the crown of the tree is very compact, looks great, even has some features, if we talk directly about the decorativeness of the variety.It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the Moscow necklace-2 is a very winter-hardy variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees. These conditions have absolutely no effect on the level of yield, nor on what the taste characteristics of the plant remain. The fruits are very large, the weight of one varies from 250 to 300 grams. At the same time, at the peak of growth - in the sixth or seventh year of life, you can collect about 18 kilograms of excellent and tasty fruits from one tree. They have universal meaning, but most often they are consumed fresh.

Non-columnar variety Moscow necklace is a bush apple tree. The small tree reaches a height of 65 centimeters, the branches are slightly raised above the ground level, while the tree really has the shape of a bush to a greater extent than a full-fledged apple tree. The fruit can be harvested in the fourth year after the seedling has been placed in the open field. At the same time, even despite its tiny size, this variety is very productive. From one bush, you can collect up to 18 kilograms of fruit. One fruit weighs one hundred grams, the flesh is ordinary, sourish, but apples have a universal purpose, which is also their undoubted advantage. The variety is very valuable not only for its attractive and decorative appearance, but also for the fact that it is very resistant to sudden changes in temperature and frost. Also, the variety is resistant to fungal diseases, it is not afraid of scab.

Due to the fact that the variety perfectly withstands sudden temperature changes, and is also generally quite unpretentious and not capricious, it is very popular in our country and, in particular, in some territories of the Moscow region. There are also some features of the cultivation of the variety, which should be paid more attention to by gardeners. The fact is that in summer it is worth monitoring the climatic conditions and, if prolonged droughts are observed, then watering should be carried out about two, and sometimes three times a week, and the application of moisture should be quite intense. Also, it is still worth carrying out preventive treatment of the plant from pests, and, ideally, acaricide preparations are suitable for this. In order for the plant to become more attractive to insects, which are pollinators, it is worth irrigating the apple tree with sugar syrup, which will attract bees. But this should be done very carefully, since an abundant application of sweet liquid can lead to burns on the green part of the plant. In the fall, it is recommended to thoroughly feed the apple tree with mineral components and mixtures, which can be purchased in specialized stores for gardeners.

Apple tree Moscow necklace is excellent for growing both in the middle zone of our country and in the North. Lowering the temperature is allowed up to -45 degrees, while, even if the columnar apple tree of the Moscow Necklace variety freezes or gets damaged, it will recover on its own, which is also an undoubted advantage. In order to continue to receive a stable and, most importantly, a tasty and bountiful harvest, it is also necessary to immediately carry out the very first, but loyal tree pruning when planting. Then it is also worth sometimes insuring yourself and, despite the resistance to low temperatures, cover the tree with agrofibre. Also, ordinary spruce branches can be suitable for these purposes. In general, there are absolutely no other features and requirements when planting the Moscow Necklace apple tree and in caring for it. Much in the future will depend solely on the care of the gardener, on his care procedures. The tree can grow with other varieties of apple trees, the most important thing is not to plant it too close to tall trees so that their crown does not cover trees or bushes of this species.Although, as practice shows, even in partial shade, these trees feel quite comfortable, and this does not affect the level of fruiting at all. It is also worth periodically feeding the tree to improve its stress resistance and strengthen immunity. Otherwise, the Moscow necklace apple variety remains unpretentious, and therefore very attractive.