The apple-tree of the Bratchud variety is popular with many gardeners and summer residents. The variety has undeniable advantages, but there are also many subtleties in the care of plants. About how to plant such a tree correctly and how to care for it - read further in the article.
Variety breeding history
The full name of the Bratchud variety is the Wonderful Brother. To obtain it, Ural winter and Vydubetskaya weeping apple trees were crossed. Breeders of the South Ural Research Institute for Horticulture and Potato, located in the city of Chelyabinsk, worked on the cultivation of the variety. The list of originators includes Mazunina N.F., Putyatin V.I. and Mazunin N.A. The variety was zoned in the Russian Federation in 2002.
Did you know? 5 million hectares of the Earth are occupied by apple orchards.
Tree description
The variety belongs to natural dwarfs, therefore they are not tall trees: they grow up to a maximum of 2.7 m. On the rootstocks, the height of the plants is 2 m. The crown of the apple tree grows rapidly, its average diameter is 2.7 m. Young shoots are light brown in color. green tint. The bark on the branches and pillar is brown-brown or lighter tones. The color of the stem may vary depending on the climate and care. The leaf plates are round, slightly pubescent.
Dwarf trees - the perfect solution for laying a garden on a small plot
Fruit Description
The fruits are medium in size, 1 apple weighs an average of 180 g. The shape of the fruit is slightly elongated, there is a seam on its side. The peel is smooth and thin, without plaque. The color of apples is lime, pinkish color is possible. The pulp is light, juicy. The taste is sweet with a slight acidity.
Variety Characteristics
Before buying a seedling of Bratchud apple tree, you should familiarize yourself with its characteristics. Among the important parameters of the variety, resistance to diseases, drought and frost, ripening period, fruiting, yield, keeping time and transportability of fruits can be noted.
Did you know? In the USA, the oldest apple tree in the world is still growing and bearing fruit in Manhattan. She was planted back in 1647.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety is not resistant to diseases and parasites.. Most dangerous for these trees scab. The disease is spread by wind from other apple trees, so plants are difficult to protect from it. As a preventive measure, experienced gardeners recommend using Bordeaux liquid at a concentration of 3% - it is an effective and safe fungicide. Apple trees should be sprayed in early spring and at the beginning of flowering.
Drought and winter hardiness
Bratchud does not tolerate drought and needs regular soil moisture. At the same time, these apple trees tolerate frosts well up to –40 ° С.
Ripening period
Fruits begin to ripen en masse by September. And apples can hang on the branches until October.
Fruiting and Yield
Bratchud apple trees begin to bear fruit in the 4th year. In order to be able to set fruit, pollinators need to be planted nearby. Varieties Chudnaya, Snowdrop and Sokolovskaya are excellent for this role. Fruiting ends in 15–20 years. The yield of 1 tree is an average of 125 kg.
In the neighborhood it is better to plant other Mazunin apple trees - Snowdrop, Chudnoye, Grounded, Sokolovskoe
Transportability and storage
Apples of this variety have good transportability and can easily withstand long transport. Also, fruits are distinguished by their keeping quality. Breeders in the description of the variety indicate that the fruits can be stored for 140 days.
Growing conditions
The variety was originally intended for cultivation in Siberia and the UralsHowever, it is successfully growing in all regions of the country. When planting, it is important to take into account the climate of the region and, depending on this, adjust the care of the plant. So, in the north, you should especially take care of preparing the apple tree for winter, and in the southern lane, pay more attention to watering.
Basic requirements for growing conditions:
- site on a hill;
- protection from sharp winds;
- bright sunlight and lack of shadow;
- nutritious fertile soil.
Video: Apple tree planting instructions
Timing and landing scheme
The best time for planting the Bratchud apple tree is spring. In warm regions where winters are not too frosty, trees can also be planted in October.
It is best to plant two-year-old seedlings. When choosing planting material, pay attention to its appearance. The roots and trunk should be free from damage, dry parts and rot.
The site must be prepared at least 1 month before planting. If the procedure is planned for spring, preparation is carried out in the fall. To do this, you need:
- Dig the soil to a depth of 20–25 cm.
- Dig a hole 1 m wide and 0.9 m deep. The distance between the trees should be at least 3 m.
- Mix half of the excavated soil and a mixture of 200 g of superphosphate, 200 g of ash and 3 buckets of compost.
- Pour the nutrient mixture with a mound into the landing pit.
When placing a seedling in a hole, straighten the root processes. Fill the hole with soil, compact and pour 20-30 liters of water.Important! Drive a support stake near the trunk and tie the tree trunk to it. So the apple tree will grow evenly.
After installing the seedling in the pit, you need to spread the roots in different directions
Care Features
The crop yield directly depends on the care of the apple tree. The gardener should regularly take care of the soil, fertilize the plant, form a crown and timely prepare the tree for winter.
Soil care
So that the apple tree bears fruit annually, it is important to monitor the condition of the soil. It needs to be moistened 5 times during the growing season as needed. Water should be poured into the trunk circle. Under one trunk, 50 liters of water at a time is enough.
After watering, the soil must be loosened. This is important so that the substrate is not crusted. You also need to remove weeds from the trunk circle as they grow. It is convenient to carry out this procedure during loosening.
Experienced gardeners recommend mulching the soil.: Thus, the rhizome will be protected from frost, and enough moisture will be retained in the soil. As mulch, natural materials are used - sawdust, straw or fallen leaves.
Top dressing
It is advisable to feed young apple trees according to the following scheme:
- spring at the beginning of the growing season Urea
- in may-june - spraying with sodium humate;
- in September - phosphorus-potassium top dressing.
Adult plants need more frequent feeding:
- in April Urea
- at the beginning of flowering - complex mineral fertilizer;
- after flowering - spraying with potassium humate and nitrofos treatment;
- at the end of fruiting - phosphorus-potassium top dressing.
Cropping and shaping the crown
For crown formation on Bratchud apple trees practice sanitary pruning: at the beginning of the growing season, gardeners cut dried and frozen shoots. Also in the spring and after fruiting is recommended to remove the upper buds on the shoots.
Winter preparations
The Bratchud variety is winter-hardy, however, by the end of autumn, apple trees must be protected from future frosts. In the second decade of November, seedlings should arrange charging watering. After it, it is necessary to lay the mulch on the trunk circle: it is best to protect the root system with mulching with compost.
Additionally, trees must be protected from attacks by rodents. To do this, the trunks need to be wrapped with roofing material, a special grill or spruce branches.
Late in the fall, a week before sheltering the roots for the winter, the apple tree is well watered.
Harvesting and storage
By the end of September, it's time to harvest. The fruits are collected in boxes and stored in cool, ventilated rooms. The optimal temperature for storing fruits is –3 ... 0 ° С.
Important! If during storage the apples begin to rot or become coated, it is better to throw them away. Similar symptoms indicate the development of dangerous fungal infections.
The use of apples of this variety is universal. They are eaten fresh, and also used to make jam, juice, cider, desserts.
The Bratchud dwarf apple tree is primarily notable for its delicious fruits. There are a number of nuances in caring for a variety, but it is not too difficult to grow these plants. The gardener, who follows all the above rules, eventually gets a tasty and healthy crop.
Network user reviews
ADVANTAGES: undersized, long stored,
DISADVANTAGES: not found
Four years ago, we decided to renovate our garden. The birth of the child was coming and we thought, let the seedlings grow with it) The task of planting an apple tree, the fruits of which are stored for a very long time, was included in the number of mandatory programs. In summer and autumn there are no problems with apples, but for winter we only lay an Antonovka. All sites of online stores were rummaged, which carry out the distribution of seedlings, but the Chelyabinsk Gardens of Russia were never found better. Parents have been using the services of this company for several years and there were no complaints. For winter storage, we chose the Bratchud apple tree. She attracted us with her size - a dwarf variety, it is tiring to take apples to the storage of our high-growing apple trees. And then, Bratchud-Siberian variety, not afraid of frosts, which have become not uncommon with us. And so they ordered, received, planted, cared for ... In the third year, they waited for apples, And in the fourth already a few. She didn’t specially give it up for eating at home in order to check the keeping quality. I can’t say about a later time, we kept apples for about four months. Then we gladly ate them. The apples are medium sized, greenish yellow and have a bashful blush on them. Oblong, ribbed. Original such. The taste is sweet and sour, not too juicy. Who wants to plant a winter grade apple tree, I advise and recommend)
