Sweet apple Medunitsa: description, photos, reviews
Content:
Who among the gardeners does not know Medunitsa - this time-tested and favorite apple variety? What does a gardener do if there is not so much space on the site, but you want to plant apple trees? That's right, he takes a variety that is time-tested, well-known and with excellent taste. This is the apple tree Medunitsa. It is she who fits all these characteristics, and is considered the best early apple variety. Let's tell you more about it.
Apple-tree Medunitsa: about the selection of the variety
apple tree Medunitsa
Biological professor S.I. Isaev was engaged in breeding work on the variety "Medunitsa" in the thirties of the XX century. The direction of his activity was associated with immune-resistant varieties of apple trees. He bred more than forty varieties of the variety. And all are winter-hardy and disease-resistant.
The apple tree Medunitsa is the result of crossing the “brown striped” and “welsey” varieties.
There is a widespread belief that the variety got its name due to its taste with honey tints. By the way, this variety is often called "Medovitsa". Yes, apples taste sweet, but still it has nothing to do with honey. Probably, this name is interconnected with the plant "Medunitsa", which is also considered early, and blooms earlier than many in the spring.
The variety got its name "Medunitsa" in honor of the woman, because that is how Professor Isaev called his wife.
It is interesting that in the 50s of the 20th century, professor-biologist S.I. Isaev was awarded the Stalin Prize for his biological developments. But in spite of everything, "Medunitsa" or "Medovitsa" was never included in the State Register.
But, in spite of everything, this variety remains one of the most favorite among both gardeners and consumers.
The Medunitsa variety is an apple tree. Description and main characteristics
apple tree Medunitsa
About Medunitsa it should be said that this is a tall variety. With the help of a seed stock, the crop can grow up to 7 meters. The crown has the shape of a pyramid. The foliage density is quite large, the shoot formation is medium. Accordingly, in order for a culture to develop and bear fruit correctly, it must be properly pruned.
The color of the crown leaves is light green, and the shoots are light brown. The shape of the leaves is round, oblong, slightly curved.
The fruits of the Medunitsa-Letnaya variety are medium. Round and regular shape. Weight reaches no more than 150 grams. A ripe apple is yellow-green with reddish or orange stripes. Well-ripe fruit is red, sometimes yellowish with a bright red blush and striped.
The taste of Lungwort apples, which have a dense and juicy pulp, is sweetish (sugar in them is up to 14%). Has a slightly perceptible honey aroma (with low acidity).
Interestingly, the taste of this variety depends on the climatic zone of cultivation. For example, in the middle lane, the acidity rises. In the central and northern regions, the taste becomes cleaner and sweeter.
About the fruiting of the variety "Medunitsa"
The seed stock of the Medunitsa variety bears fruit in 5-6 years. Duration of fruiting is 50 years or more. Moreover, all the first 15 years of the life of an apple tree bear fruit annually! With the help of the rationing of the ovaries, fruiting is obtained every year.
The fruits ripen in mid-August and early September. If the apple tree is poorly looked after and the dense foliage is not cut off in time, then the fruits will ripen unevenly.This is due to the uneven hit of sunlight on them.
One of the advantages of Medunitsa is that apples may not crumble for a long time and are ripe on the branches.
About flowering and pollinating varieties
Despite the self-fertility of Medunitsa, it is recommended for her to find companion apple trees, mainly focusing on the timing of flowering. Let the ripening time not coincide. The main thing is that the flowering time coincides - this is the end of May-mid-June (of course, it depends on the climate).
These companion apple trees include:
- Cinnamon striped;
- Victory;
- Anis Sverdlovsky;
- Chinese women (Gold or Kerr).
Apple variety Medunitsa: how to preserve the harvest
For picking, apples are recommended completely ripe and ripe. Only then, under certain conditions, can they be stored for up to four months. Otherwise - a maximum of a month!
Interestingly, this variety changes flavoring properties after harvest. For the first two weeks, the richness of the honey taste and the severity of the aroma are preserved.
About winter hardiness
Professional gardeners speak about frost resistance of culture first of all, therefore they cultivate it in the Urals and Siberia. At the same time, the lungwort does not change its striking properties and characteristics.
About resistance to various kinds of diseases
When we were engaged in the selection of this variety, there was, one might say, an invasion of scab. Thus, the breeders identified the main task - to create an apple tree that is resistant to these fungal infections.
Yes, it happened! Apple tree Medunitsa is not afraid of scab ... However, soon new fungal strains began to spread, which affect the armor of the culture's stable immunity.
Therefore, several preventive treatments for Medunitsa are essential.
It is important to take into account that the apple tree Medunitsa needs regular pruning. Including preventive ones, in order to limit plant growth in time and ensure proper fruiting.
About rootstocks and varieties
Rootstocks are an important part of the yield and characteristics of the plant. Therefore, they should be given special attention. Qualitatively selected rootstocks affect the height, characteristics of the fruit, the timing and duration of fruiting, and even the life of the plant.
About Medunitsa on seed stock
With the help of a seed stock, the lungwort bears fruit well up to 60 years, and the plant lives up to 90 years! It is clear that - with proper care and regular regulating pruning.
The growth of such an apple tree is 5-7 m, it gives fruits in the 5th or 6th year.
It is necessary to plant Medunitsa on a seed stock at a distance of 4-5 m (sometimes up to 6 meters) from each other. Lush, spreading crowns should not interfere with each other.
About varieties of Medunitsa on semi-dwarf rootstocks
For tall varieties, it is recommended to use semi-dwarf rootstocks. It is convenient to look after and harvest this variety. The height of semi-dwarf species is much less (about 4.5 m), and the fruits appear earlier (in August).
Such a plant bears fruit after an average of 4 years. Saplings must be planted 3 meters apart. The distance between the rows is 4 m.
The advantage of the semi-dwarf variety of Medunitsa is that it is not afraid of the too close occurrence of groundwater, as it tolerates waterlogging well. Thanks to the rootstock, this property is enhanced.
About dwarf and columnar varieties of Medunitsa
Gardeners have considered the attractiveness of miniature apple trees not so long ago. In addition to convenience and decorativeness, such apple trees are not inferior to their higher counterparts in terms of fruiting intensity.
Despite its initial pyramidal shape, the crown of Medunitsa can easily turn into a spherical, or even triangular. Moreover, pruning during crown formation does not affect fruiting in any way.
The height of the dwarf rootstock Medunitsa reaches up to 2 meters. Fruiting occurs in 2.5 or 3 years. It happens that the first fruits appear in two-year-old seedlings in the year of planting.
But for a more favorable development of culture, fruiting should not be allowed in the first years (the ovaries are cut off for this purpose).
The recommended distance between seedlings is 1 meter (perhaps even a little closer).
A special approach to Medunitsa dwarf rootstock will ensure good fruiting and sustainable development. Garters are also needed for trees. This is due to the root system, which is not very deep. Strong winds can pull apple trees out of the ground.
In dwarf Medunits, due to rather intensive fruiting, the lifespan is no more than 12 years.
Columnar Medunitsa can be made by circumcision. Columnar rootstock grafts do not give the required shape. The end result is a pyramidal shape. If you really want a columnar apple tree, then you cannot do without "Valyuta", "Yesenia" and "Moscow necklace".
This is where the shape really looks like a column. And the gardener skillfully supports her.
Winter options for Medunitsa
Summer varieties of Medunitsa are in demand so that many varieties have appeared. One of the most common is Winter lungwort. Its fruiting begins in mid-September. Such an apple can be stored until the very spring days.
It should be noted that the taste of such a Medunitsa, due to the large amount of acids, is not as sweet as that of the summer one.
All about planting Medunitsa
A gardener who is familiar with planting any other apple trees will not find it difficult to cope with the planting of Medunitsa, since there are very few differences. It's all about the right time and place of landing.
As for the timing of landing, it depends on the region. In the Middle zone, Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the region - it is autumn (in order to avoid early temperature drops). For Siberia, the Urals - spring (to avoid the early autumn frost). Are there snowless winters in your region? Then it is better to plant Medunitsa in spring days.
In spring, apple trees are planted only if the temperature outside the window is positive. When the soil is completely free of snow and is easily cultivated up to half a meter.
In autumn, the planting of Medunitsa should begin no later than three weeks before the cold weather. Very early is also not desirable. Since the prolonged warm temperature provokes the activity of the shoots. And they are unlikely to withstand the first autumn cold.
Work on the proposed planting begins in about 6 months.
Do you know where you will plant? Then dig a hole, about 50x50x50 cm in size. The soil from the hole is divided into two parts, one of which is mixed with fertilizer. A stake is driven in the center, a seedling will soon be tied to it.
The seedling is placed in the center, its roots are straightened and covered with soil with fertilizer. Then watering is carried out with light soil compaction. However, it is not worth tightening too much, so as not to damage the roots. If after watering the soil settles strongly, then add more and water again.
Important care secrets
There are three components of a successful harvest: competent pruning, feeding and professional protection.
In the 1st year of life, oddly enough, the tree does not need special care. Only - watering. The first month is watered when the soil is completely dry. And then - at least once a week. All major care should be scheduled for the next season.
Then the pruning begins. They form a crown for the first time in a two-year-old tree. Usually, the formation is carried out by means of sparse tiers (30-40 centimeters). Thanks to this, the pyramidal shape characteristic of this variety is maintained.
Realistically make a bowl shape. For this, the central shoots are removed inside the crown, which are replaced by 4-5 lateral branches.
The advantage of Medunitsa is this: it is fast-growing and vigorous, but the shoots are poorly formed. Therefore, spring and autumn crop sanitary pruning is an important necessity.
When damaged and diseased branches are removed, the plant comes to life. The crown takes shape and fresh shoots appear. And on summer days, they pinch young growths with the removal of branches that block the sun for the fruits.
For Medunitsa, spring and autumn feedings are needed. As a result of spring feeding, the tree gains well green mass, growth and forms a harvest. Nitrogen fertilizers are needed here.
Autumn top dressing works for the quality of the wood and for the preparation for winter. However, one cannot do without phosphorus and potash fertilizers. Preparing the plant for the winter cold, the trunk circle is freed from plant debris, digging up the soil and protecting the trunk.
Young trees are protected with spruce branches, and the trunks of adults are whitened in spring and autumn.
Do not forget about preventive measures against infections and harmful insects. To this end, trees are sprayed with preparations with copper in the spring.
With good, competent care, Medunitsa grows and gives a good harvest of fragrant apples for several decades. Time-tested, it is still loved by gardeners. And also pleases with wonderful fruits even the most capricious consumer.
Questions and answers about Medunitsa
1) What is the price of Medunitsa seedlings?
The price is influenced by the quality of the stock, the age of the apple tree, the integrity of the root system, the region and the manufacturer's brand. For 2017, the price ranged from 400 to 25,000 rubles. The most expensive are columnar and dwarf seedlings from 3 years old, grown in containers.
Often such trees are with fruits, and it is not difficult for the buyer to evaluate what he buys. Such a tree can be easily transplanted into open ground without damaging the roots.
A seedling of a seed stock costs much less. They can see the root system. And the fruits will be in five to six years, i.e. it will not be possible to evaluate the variety upon purchase.
2) How quickly does Lungberry begin to bear fruit?
This is determined using the rootstock. Basically, the culture begins to bear fruit at the age of 5.
3) My apple tree does not bear fruit, why?
Perhaps the deadline has not yet come, or the kidneys have been damaged by the frost. If the flowers were still present, then the reason may be in poor pollination or in pests that destroy the flowers.
4) What to do to care for a blooming apple tree?
Everything must be done for good pollination, thanks to which the harvest will greatly delight you. Pollination is especially important for young trees. To do this, use simple methods.
For example, they hang a composition of honey or sugar on the branches, which attracts bees. Inside the crown of the tree, they put containers with water and with flowering twigs of some summer variety.
5) When are apples usually harvested?
Summer varieties of Medunitsa are harvested mainly in mid or late August. Depends on the region of growth. Winter Medunitsy ripen from the end of the first autumn month, and ends in the middle of autumn.
Apple tree Medunitsa. Reviews
“I like to eat Medunitsa straight from the branch. This is the only way to feel the amazing aroma and honey taste " (Maria Ivanovna, Stavropol Territory).
“I have several crabapple trees, they are more than seven years old already. But the harvest is so great that it is also enough for jams and compotes! " (Nikolay Vasiliev, Perm Territory).
“My whole family loves these apples. They are sweet, fragrant, no hint of acid. Moreover, the juiciness is beyond praise " (Svetlana Alekseevna, Yekaterinburg).
“I have a winter Medunitsa. It is good because the apples do not crumble and reach the condition on the branch. Everything else - it is well kept. But…. The taste of honey disappears after a while. " (Sergey Petrovich Averin, Tomsk region).
Lungwort apple tree. Photo
