Among the variety of varieties of fruit trees, there are plants that not only give a bountiful harvest, but also very attractive in appearance. The red-leaved apple tree Pionerka belongs to ornamental plants with edible fruits. It was withdrawn at the Pavlovsk station of the VIR at the beginning of the 20th century. This is one of the varieties of the Nedzvetsky apple tree, which is popular with our gardeners, the main decorative quality of which is burgundy leaves and bright pink flowers.

Botanical description of the Pionerka apple tree

The ornamental apple tree Pionerka is characterized by active growth, good winter hardiness, and resistance to a number of diseases. Its height, with free formation, reaches 5 m.

  • The crown is rounded, the leaves are small, rich green shade with reddish veins.
  • The Pioneer apple tree blooms with pink flowers, turning into a lush pink cloud in spring.
  • The fruits of the plant are medium-sized (20 g), oval, bright red sweet apples. They are used for compotes, boiling, and drying. The fruits have a pronounced apple aroma and a dense structure. They are not suitable for storage.

Apple-tree Pioneer

The Pionerka apple tree responds well to formative pruning, therefore it is often used for the construction of hedges. The decorativeness of the apple fence is given by the autumnal change in the color of the foliage to a dark burgundy shade.

A gardener even in the northern regions of the country can afford to decorate his plot with an apple tree of the Pionerka variety. The variety is resistant to low temperatures and withstands well the winters of the Middle zone and the Moscow region. In regions with more severe climates, the fruit tree is grafted onto a frost-resistant stock.

Features of agricultural technology

Note! The decorative variety Pionerka can be sown with seeds or grafted seedlings can be purchased. The trees obtained from seeds are not inferior to the grafted seedlings in decorativeness and productivity, and only slightly in frost resistance.

Apple-tree Parent

Planting in a permanent place is carried out when the seedlings are 2 years old. A site for an apple tree is chosen open to the sun and with a deep bed of ground moisture. The soil for the tree should be fertile, with a loose structure. Well-fertilized loams and sandy loams meet these requirements. Add half a bucket of well-rotted manure or 150 g of superphosphate to the planting pit. Top dressing is thoroughly mixed with the soil.

The seedling is placed in a hole, straightening the roots well and not deepening the graft (if any). Simultaneously with planting, a stake is installed in the pit, to which a tree is tied so that the seedling does not flutter in the wind. The plant is well watered.

On a note! If the tree is grown in a free natural formation, the distance between the seedlings is maintained at 4-5 m. When arranging a hedge, apple trees are placed every 1-1.5 m.

Caring for the Pionerka apple tree does not differ from caring for other fruit trees. While the seedling is young, it is watered in the summer if the weather is dry. An adult plant does not need watering.

Feed apple trees

Top dressing is useful in the spring, mulching the trunk circle with humus, and at the time of flowering, spraying the crown with a solution of microelements (for example, MagBor).

Sanitary pruning of trees is carried out in autumn and early spring, before the start of sap flow.

Formative pruning of the Pionerka apple tree is started in the first spring, after planting the seedling. As a rule, the height of the tree is limited to 2-2.5 m. The crown is formed in a plane, removing branches growing in depth and on the outside of the site.Due to its rapid growth, the fence from Pionerka becomes thick and impassable in several years.

Important! Before the formation of the fence begins, supports are installed between the planted apple trees and a strong wire is pulled. This is the basis or frame of the future fence, it is easier to navigate along it when pruning plants.

Advantages and disadvantages

Apple tree Persian

The advantages of the Pionerka apple tree include:

  • rapid growth and unpretentious care;
  • attractive appearance that can decorate any site;
  • high winter hardiness.

The disadvantages include the small fruits of the apple tree, which quickly deteriorate. Some gardeners do not harvest the tree at all, leaving it for the birds. Bright apples hang on the branches for a long time, giving the tree a special charm.

As a result, we can add that the apple tree of this variety will help the gardener quickly transform the appearance of the site. The characteristic of the variety allows you to grow an apple tree in almost any climate, giving it a minimum of time.