Dwarf apple trees do not exist as a species. These are ordinary varieties grown on stunted stocks. A stock is a stalk to which the desired variety is grafted. Growing planting material is a difficult and lengthy business. For this, special nurseries are created.
Varieties of apple trees on a dwarf rootstock have undeniable advantages in comparison with ordinary species (on a strong-growing rootstock): the tree has a small crown, it early enters the period of annual fruiting (in the third year). Apples are usually large and of high quality.
Dwarf apple trees have a crown, which is inherent in ordinary tall trees. She has skeletal and semi-skeletal branches. At the age of 10 years, these plants are half lower than their counterparts: dwarf apple trees are characterized by restrained growth, as they are grafted onto dwarf stocks.
When buying a seedling, you need to carefully examine it. Between the stem and the root neck there should be a curvature - the place of grafting of the cultivar to the wild. Two-year-old planting material is characterized by large buds, the height of the stem is not less than 40 cm, five to six well-developed branches. On a stunted rootstock, seedlings have a fibrous structure of the root system without a central stem (it resembles a washcloth). The main sign of the quality of the cuttings is the freshness and elasticity of the roots. Drying and injuries of branches and bark are completely unacceptable.
After the acquisition, the lower part of the seedling must be placed in a humid environment, covered with a film. Gently pull the branches to the stem and secure with twine. After transportation, it is highly advisable to plant a tree immediately on a prepared place, which is selected taking into account all the characteristics of the apple tree variety on a dwarf rootstock. Adult trees of this variety take root to a meter depth, so ground water should not lie above a meter and a half at the planting site. Apple trees are placed according to the scheme 2X3 or 3X3 meters. If for some reason the stem could not be planted immediately, it must be buried in the trenched trench in an inclined state. Top to water too. In this position, the seedling can be kept for some time until planting.
Dwarf apple trees are quite decorative. When they bloom, it is difficult to look away from them. Sometimes these trees are planted in rows. Then the impression of a fruiting hedge is created. It is very pleasant and convenient to take care of the garden - plants do not exceed 2.5 m.
On weak rootstocks, varieties are usually grown: "white filling", "Antonovka", "lobo", "shtrifle", "melba", "medunitsa", "candy", "bogatyr", "welsey", "semerenko", "cinnamon "," Chinese "(yellow and red).
The dwarf apple tree of the Antonovka cultivar has greenish-yellow fruits, unbroken, large (150 - 320 g). Variety with medium resistance to scab, high-yielding, with a summer-autumn fruit ripening period.
The famous apple variety "Lungwort" has a sweet taste with a spicy, honey aroma. Apples ripen in August. Shelf life is 2 months. In a cool room - until January. The shape of the fruit is flat-rounded, weight - 100 g., Yellow. Trees are resistant to scab. On a weak rootstock, they enter the fruiting period for 2-3 years.