The apple tree is one of the most common fruit crops in our country. The height of the tree varies depending on the varietal characteristics and can reach from 1.5 to 10 meters.

In spring, first vegetative buds appear on apple trees, and then flower buds. It is worth knowing that several times more flowers will be formed than is necessary for the harvest. Only 15% of flowers will become apples. Flower buds for the harvest of the next season are laid in the summer months. Initially, they cover old branches, and then younger ones.

How to choose an apple tree for planting

Apple tree seedlings must be chosen based on the climatic characteristics of the region where planting is planned. For example, fruit trees grown in the south are not suitable for the northern region. It is best to opt for plants that are available from your local nursery or garden organization.

All varieties can be divided into several types:

  • Summer... Fruiting begins in August, and the shelf life of fruits is slightly more than 7 days. They are preferred by gardeners in many regions of our country. The most popular are White filling, Medunitsa, Grushovka.
  • Autumn... The harvest is harvested in September, the fruits are stored for almost a whole month. The most famous are Melba, Koreyanka, Borovinka, Cinnamon striped.
  • Winter... The fruit will be ready for harvest in the last days of September. Interestingly, apples have a long shelf life, almost 6 months. Planting such trees is recommended in regions with warm summers and not cold autumn. Popular varieties include: Antonovka, Moscow winter, Bogatyr, Welsey, Aport.

Apple tree seedlings

It is necessary to know at what level the groundwater lies in the place where the crop is planned to be grown. If the water is deeper than 3 meters, you can choose any option. Strong-growing, and dwarf, and semi-dwarf varieties will grow well. If the groundwater is above 2.5 meters, you should exclude the seed (vigorous) stock. The trees of these varieties have a height of about 8 meters and rooting will take place directly in the water, which leads to the following problems:

  • decrease in yield;
  • loss of winter hardiness, gradually trees can freeze completely;
  • apple trees often get sick;
  • withering of the crown.

In such a place, it is best to plant trees that do not have a highly branched root system that will not go deep into the ground.

Note to the gardener.The ideal apple seedlings for such places are semi-dwarf varieties. However, it should be noted that such plants are not suitable for every climatic zone. In the gardens of the Moscow region, only some of them can grow, for example, Melba, Candy, Chudnaya.

If the groundwater is very close to the surface (1.5 meters), you need to select dwarf varieties or columnar. The latter have a superficial root system, this is their main advantage and disadvantage. Due to the shallow location of the roots, trees have a strong susceptibility to low temperatures and freezing of the ground. The yield is not too high, but a dense planting is possible according to the 1 × 1m scheme.

Strong apple tree

The correct choice of seedlings is the first step to obtaining healthy and strong trees, and therefore you need to pay close attention to the condition of the planting material.

The roots are the most important part of the seedling. Visually examining the root system, you can learn a lot about it. Lethargy and overdrying indicate poor storage, and this will certainly affect how the apple tree will take root in a new place. The roots must be in soil or a humid environment.If they are naked, it is not worth making a purchase.

An ideal seedling meets the following requirements:

  • zoning, the tree grows in the same region where the purchase is made and has the necessary properties (resistance to frost, good immunity, immunity to some types of diseases);
  • there should be no damage on the stem, even a small wound;
  • high-quality vaccination. If branches are found at right angles to the main stem, it can be concluded that the crop belongs to the wild, and therefore the purchase should be postponed. An apple from such a tree will be small in size, the yield is low, and the taste will not meet expectations. A graft that has not taken root has a shoot growing directly from the rootstock;
  • if you cut the spine and it will be white, this indicates its liveliness. Frozen and dried roots have a brown tint. Particular attention is paid to the branching of the root system and the size, they should not be less than 30 cm.

Good to know.Plants with dried roots should not be purchased, even if the product is at a discount. This indicates that the seller wants to get rid of the substandard plants.

It is necessary to inspect the roots so that there are no irregularities, swellings, growths, which may indicate root cancer. The stems should also not have growths, including under the bark; the color of a healthy stem should be bright green.

How old should you plant apple trees? It is recommended to pick up a tree no older than 2 years, these are the easiest to take root.

How to determine the age of an apple tree:

  • annual trees lack well-developed branches;
  • two-year-olds have several additional branches located at different angles.

To check how well the seedling is grafted, you need to take the roots with one hand, and gently pull the stem with the other. If there is noticeable detachment from the trunk, this indicates the presence of rot.

The root system must be moist, but not rotten, by the way, fragility of the roots is a bad sign.

How to preserve seedlings before planting

All seedlings with roots and packing in soil are stored in two ways.

Where should the vaccine look when planting an apple tree

The first is the most common, but not designed for long-term preservation (trees can stand for 14 - 21 days):

  • it is necessary to unpack the purchase and pierce the packaging from the film that envelops the roots in several places;
  • if the earth is dry, it must be moistened;
  • seedlings are placed in a cool place without opening the package.

For storage, you can use a balcony, veranda, garage, cellar, the main thing is that air flows to the root system, and the earth layer is slightly moist.

Important.Trees should not be warm, excessive manipulation can cause significant damage to plants.

The second option is used by professional gardeners, and this method allows you to organize storage for a longer period:

  • unpacking the seedling, inspection of the roots and their pruning;
  • a seedling is placed in a large container with earth, and the root system is buried;
  • watering to moisten the soil;
  • rearranging the seedling in a cool place where the sun's rays will not fall on the plant.

In the absence of soil and containers, you can wrap the roots in a damp cloth, tie a plastic bag on top and put the plant in a cool place.

For seedlings sold in containers, replanting is not required. It is enough to water and leave in the room for the plant to wake up. It is important to keep the soil moist and not overflow the seedlings. By following these recommendations, you can grow a healthy apple tree without any problems.