Columnar Apple Constellation

Every gardener prefers his favorite apple varieties. In the conditions of your site, there is always the opportunity to test and evaluate new species created by breeders for special climatic and other individual conditions. The apple tree Constellation, in addition to winter hardiness, has such a compact crown shape that it requires only a small plot of land to plant a full-fledged garden.

Almost all varieties of columnar apple trees come from Canada. There, they unexpectedly appeared in a private garden due to a natural mutation that began to be inherited. Thus, the apple tree, devoid of side branches, became the basis for the creation of the Vazhak and Yesenia varieties. From the Canadian progenitors and other hybrids, the Constellation apple tree was created at the Oryol selection station. An application for the adoption of a new tree in the State Register was submitted in 2015, but the tests have not yet been completed, although gardeners have long been waiting for a variety suitable for the northern regions of the Russian Federation.

The authors of the hybrid recommended the Constellation for the harsh northern climate, as it tolerates frosts well down to -35 ... 40 degrees. The tree is unpretentious and does not require special conditions or care. It grows up to 2-2.5 meters, and at the same time reaches 30-40 cm in circumference, which greatly facilitates harvesting. On columnar trees, apples grow directly on the trunk. Quite large fruits are greenish-yellow in color with ruddy barrels and have an attractive taste.

When choosing a planting material for a garden, it is necessary to take into account the advantages and characteristics of the Constellation variety, among which are the following:

• high resistance to low temperatures and seasonal cold snaps;

• immunity to fungal diseases such as scab and others;

• early maturity of a hybrid apple tree;

• attractive appearance and taste of the fruit;

• excellent keeping quality and transportability of apples.

Among the disadvantages of the Constellation, gardeners note the extremely slow growth of seedlings and a short fruiting period - the tree actively begins to yield a harvest for 8 years, and only lives for about 20 years. In addition, the close proximity of the roots to the surface of the earth in dry weather requires significant watering.

The columnar hybrid grows slowly, and gives the first fruits 3 years after planting the seedling in a permanent place. The apple tree is a self-fertile species that does not require additional pollinator varieties, but trees blooming at the same time as the Constellation can have a positive effect on productivity. The number of fruits on young trees must be regulated and excess fruit must be removed if there are too many of them. Otherwise, the plant will disappoint with the appearance of small apples in the following seasons.

With the correct and careful attitude to the hybrid variety, which has its own characteristics, from 7-8 years after planting, it enters the period of the greatest yields. From each tree, you can collect 12-15 kg of ripe apples, ripening in late September - mid-October. The ripeness of the fruits can be determined by the appearance of a gray and dense waxy layer on them, which indicates that it is time to carefully remove them and put them for winter storage.Apples perfectly tolerate being preserved until the next harvest, almost without losing their taste, and are also suitable for processing into juices or jams.

Constellation apples are regular in shape and medium in size. On the trunks of columnar trees, neat fruits weighing an average of 125 grams sit tightly. They have a beautiful green-yellow skin with ruddy sides and a glossy waxy coating. The taste is sweet and sour, pleasant, with a strong aroma. The skin is firm and the white flesh is full of juice.

Regular care from planting a seedling to an adult plant always has a positive effect on the attractive appearance of trees, and especially on their yield. Young plants should be purchased in nurseries or from trusted sellers, since Constellation is a relatively new and expensive variety. The seedlings are sold both with an open root system and in peat pots with which they are planted. For quick and reliable survival in a new place, one-year-old seedlings should be found, without visible damage to the trunks or roots.

For apple trees, it is necessary to choose illuminated areas, protected from northern winds by slopes or forest plantations. For good yields, the soil must be drained, free of stagnant soil moisture, and loose. Depending on the region of cultivation, seedlings are planted in spring in April or in autumn - at the end of September, but trees with a closed root system, in peat containers, can be planted even in summer.

Planting the Constellation is the same as with other apple trees. The preparation of a pit 80x80 cm begins in advance with the laying of a drainage layer of crushed stone or broken brick, on which a layer of fertile soil is laid on top in the form of a small mound. The roots are straightened and covered with earth with the addition of sand, ash or peat as needed. The root collar of the seedling should remain on top of the soil level.

The root system of the Constellation is located close to the surface, so it is important to water it regularly, especially in the hot season. It is useful to loosen the near-trunk zone several times during the season and feed with organic matter, minerals, urea with nitrogen and potassium. When pruning, you can not cut off the top of the apple tree, since its lateral shoots begin to grow strongly, and it loses its varietal qualities. By contrast, pruning long side branches encourages the appearance of a large number of short ones.