- Authors: Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov, S.I. Isaev
- Taste: very good, honey-sweet
- Scent: pronounced specific
- Fruit weight, g: 90-100
- Fruit size: large
- Frequency of fruiting: first 10 years - annual, further fruiting is periodic
- The beginning of fruiting varieties: for 5 years
- Ripening terms: summer
- Removable maturity: mid-August
- Keeping quality: until October
A variety of varieties of garden apple trees makes it possible to choose for any region, climate, fruit taste. But it is quite easy for a beginner to get confused in all this variety. The Medunitsa variety has been tested by gardeners in different regions over the years. This variety is not too whimsical to care for, it bears very tasty fruits.
Breeding history of the variety
The Medunitsa variety was grown by domestic breeders, the first developments were carried out in the pre-war period. Gardeners are obliged to breed this variety to the scientist S.I. Isaev. His goal was to study many winter-hardy varieties and to breed an apple tree with excellent immunity and resistance to frost. Officially, the species appeared by combining the Wesley and Cinnamon striped varieties.
Despite the pleasant sweet aroma and honey notes in the taste, the name of the variety was given for a completely different reason. The breeder presented his work with a sonorous name in honor of his wife, whom he called that way - Medunitsa.
Description of the variety
The lungwort grows quite actively, the growth rate is fast, the shoots are formed very well. The visual characteristics are as follows:
- a tree can grow up to 5 or even 7 m in height;
- the crown is not too dense, rather of a sparse type, pyramidal in shape with a top;
- branches are brown, drooping down;
- leaves are light, narrow, elongated, slightly curved;
- inflorescences are large, one flower grows up to 5 cm in diameter;
- bloom is white with a pink undertone.
Features, pros and cons
One of the most basic features of the variety that makes it so popular is its excellent winter hardiness. While most varieties of the summer look are sour, this variety is quite sweet. Among the advantages of the variety are also distinguished:
- resistance to diseases and pests that are major for the apple tree;
- good survival rate of seedlings;
- agricultural technology is standard, uncomplicated;
- bears fruit early and abundantly;
- apples do not fall off due to the strong stalk.
There are also disadvantages to consider:
- the shelf life of apples is short;
- with prolonged storage, the fruits lose their aroma, taste;
- regular pruning is necessary.
Ripening and fruiting
The beginning of fruiting depends on which rootstocks the seedling is on. Seed crops yield after 5-6 years of life. The apple tree bears fruit for 50 years or a little longer if the tree is provided with everything it needs.
Harvesting of fruits in time may vary depending on the region of growth. This is the middle of August and the beginning of autumn. Ripening is not entirely amicable, it depends on the weather. But the fruits are practically not subject to falling off, even when ripe.
Yield
This variety is considered excellent in terms of productivity; about 80 kg of apples can be harvested from one tree. In adulthood, the yield increases by another 18 kg. Productivity of a tree of a stable type, but only during a life period of 10 to 20 years. After that, there may be breaks requiring the rationing of the ovary. Lungwort is also grown on an industrial scale.
Fruits and their taste
The variety belongs to summer, the size of the fruits is not outstanding, the weight varies from 90 to 100 g.The shape of the apples is flat-rounded, sometimes fruits similar to a cone are formed. The color of technically mature fruits is yellow-green, with streaks of red or reddish hue. Fully ripe fruits become reddish or low tide with clearly visible streaks.
The taste of apples is more sweet, sourness is not felt. The pulp is dense, but very juicy, the aroma is pronounced, there are hints of honey in the taste and smell.
Growing features
First of all, you should take care of the choice of a seedling, a site and proper planting of a tree. The development and fruiting of the apple tree largely depends on this. The tree takes root well both in the spring and in the fall, the timing is best correlated with the characteristics of the growing region. In the middle lane it is autumn, in Siberia and the Urals - spring. If the winter in the region is not very snowy, but cold, it is optimal to plant the plant in the spring.
In the spring, a positive temperature must be established, the snow must completely melt, and the earth must warm up. In the fall, before the cold weather, it should be at least 3 weeks, but Medunitsa is not planted too early, it can grow and freeze. Prepare a landing site six months before the procedure.
Disembarkation algorithm:
- a hole is created that is larger than the diameter of the clod and roots;
- the soil is mixed with fertilizers and applied to the bottom of the pit;
- a support is installed;
- the seedling is placed in the center, the roots are straightened;
- the seedling is sprinkled with soil mixture, moistened, the earth is rammed, but not too actively;
- the tree is tied.
In the first year after planting, no special care procedures are provided, except for watering. As for agrotechnical measures in the future, the following are mandatory.
- Moisturizing. In the first month, Medunitsa is actively watered - so that a dry crust does not form. After that, it is enough to water once a week.
- Pruning. The first procedure is carried out already in the second year, between the tiers there should be at least 30 cm when forming a pyramidal crown. If you cut the apple tree in shape like a bowl, then a branch is cut out in the center, and several side shoots remain. The optimal time for aesthetic pruning is the autumn period. Sanitary can be done in autumn and spring, damaged and dry branches are removed. In summer, it is enough to pinch young growths. So that the apple tree does not interrupt the fruiting period, it is important to normalize the ovaries every spring.
- Top dressing. Fertilize this variety in spring and autumn. Spring dressings include nitrogenous compounds, autumn ones - potassium-phosphorus ones. It is very important to adhere to the instructions and dosage rates.
- End of the season. Another important activity that includes collecting foliage, removing weeds, digging the soil. Young trees are not whitened, but wrapped with spruce branches for shelter from frost. Since the variety is frost-resistant, shelter for the period of cold weather is required only at a young age. A mature tree is whitewashed twice a year - in autumn and spring.
Pollination
Since the variety is self-fertile, it theoretically does not need pollinators. But the experience of gardeners has shown that additional planting of pollinating trees has a beneficial effect on the fruiting of Medunitsa. Varieties are selected based on flowering time. It is worth paying attention to Cinnamon striped, Pobeda, Anis Sverdlovsky, Kitayka Kerr.
Diseases and pests
When developing this variety, the main goal was to resist various infections typical of apple trees. The problem was solved completely, but the variety did not receive absolute immunity. If the tree does not suffer from old infections, then many new ones can harm it. Therefore, it is so important not to forget about prevention and regularly take appropriate measures. In the spring, it is worth spraying with a solution of copper sulfate - this will help repel insect attacks and increase disease resistance.
The apple tree is a popular fruit crop among gardeners. It can be found in many summer cottages. But at the same time, such trees are often affected by various diseases. It is very important to recognize the disease in time and carry out the necessary procedures for a speedy recovery. Otherwise, the fruits will be spoiled, and the tree itself may die altogether.