Apple Royalty

Apple Royalty: description of the variety

Apple Royalty: photo of the variety

Today we will get acquainted with an unusually beautiful tree, which, during flowering, is similar to the famous Japanese sakura. But this is not her. The name of the hero of our article is the Royalty apple tree. Royalty is a variety of apple trees; it was originally bred as a decorative species. Today, these trees are very popular in landscape design; they are massively decorated with private territories, as well as city parks and squares.

Caring for the Royalty apple tree does not require any special tweaks. The apple tree firmly tolerates winter cold and windy weather, therefore it is deservedly popular in our country.

About the history of the variety

Let's turn to history. Perhaps it will surprise someone, but this variety was bred by domestic breeders. They were inspired by the beauty of the apple tree Nedzvetskythat grows in Central Asia and has adapted the species to our climatic conditions.

Advantages of the variety

Apple-tree Royalty: video about the variety

The obvious advantages of the Royalty apple variety is that the variety perfectly tolerates climatic changes. Resistant to low temperatures, summer heat and is not afraid of drafts. In addition, it is unpretentious to the structure of the soil, does not require complex maintenance and has a delightful appearance.

Disadvantages of the variety

Despite the obvious advantages, there are still disadvantages. The Royalty apple tree grows very slowly, so it takes a lot of patience to enjoy it in all its glory. By the tenth year of life, it usually grows no higher than four meters. The Royalty apple variety is difficult to tolerate the formative pruning operation necessary for the tree. In addition, the fruits can upset. Small apples ripening in autumn have a tart, bitter taste and are not suitable for consumption when raw.
If these minor cons did not scare you, then we continue the review.

Apple Royalty: variety of varieties

To date, a large number of varieties of the ornamental royal apple tree have been bred. Below we will consider the main ones.

Apple tree of Nedzvetsky

The ancestor of this variety is the Nedzvetsky Apple tree. Differs in a palette of shades from burgundy leaves to purple fruits. The species is resistant to temperature extremes, drafts and most of the known pests and diseases. The delicate purple bloom has provided the apple tree with a well-deserved place in landscape design. Landscape architects often use it to transform urban park areas. The tree is not distinguished by impressive growth. It grows to a maximum of seven meters in height. But the horse opposite is quite spreading, from five to seven centimeters in width. You can read more about the variety here.

Pendula

Pendula: Quite undersized decorative variety (on average about three and a half meters) Refers to weeping. Its branches hang down like a weeping willow. Differs in an unusual color of leaves - dark green with purple veins. Inflorescences are bright pink. This type looks advantageous both individually and as part of landscape compositions.

Weeping

Weeping. One of the most successful types for creating compositions. The branches of the tree are directed downward, so the crown resembles a waterfall.

Hybrid purple

Hybrid Purple: Its name comes from the purple-colored leaves, which, like a chameleon, change towards deep reds with the arrival of autumn. Differs in very beautiful and abundant flowering. Inflorescences are pink.

Royal Beauty

Royal Beauty: the concept of beauty is in the name itself.This species is referred to as a weeping variety. The drooping, dense crown has a pronounced purple hue. Inflorescences are large, purple in color.

Apple Royalty: features of the variety

• The flowering period of the Royal apple tree directly depends on the climatic features of the growing zone. In the south, the apple tree will begin to bloom in the second decade of April. Whereas in more northern regions, this period shifts to May. Royalty can please with flowering up to three weeks in a row. However, in drought-prone areas, the flowering time can be reduced to one week. Flowering is usually very bright and abundant. And in order for the apple tree to bear fruit generously, plant it next to any fruit trees, they will become excellent pollinating neighbors for our beauty.
• Growth change over time. As mentioned above, the tree grows and develops at a rather slow pace. So during the first three years of life, the apple tree retains a very compact size. Uses this time to take root. Each year, the tree is pulled up by no more than forty centimeters.
• With the arrival of autumn, in addition to undergoing metamorphoses with the color of the foliage, the apple tree will delight the owner with small burgundy apples, which can be collected in the second decade of September. The diameter of the fruit does not exceed three centimeters and is more reminiscent of cherry fruits. It also cannot boast of taste, but it contains a large amount of useful substances. Most often, jam or jam is made from the fruit. Especially advanced gardeners use them to prepare various homemade tinctures and wines.
• Decorative Royalty can easily endure frosty weather up to thirty-five degrees below zero. This factor contributes to the spread in most of the climatic zones of Russia. But there are regions in which in winter the temperature can drop below forty degrees. What to do in this case? It is enough just to insulate young apple trees in order to avoid frostbite of delicate shoots.

Apple Royalty: planting varieties

If we want to grow a beautiful decorative apple tree on our site, we need to have knowledge in the field of planting a tree in open soil and subsequent maintenance measures.

Ornamental Apple Royalty: a suitable climate for planting

As with most garden and ornamental trees, the rules of the climatic zone of the region apply to planting. Thus, if the climate is warm or temperate, autumn is considered the best time to plant trees in open soil. Or rather, a month earlier than the first night temperatures below zero. In regions with a cold, northern climate, they are planted opposite the apple tree in the spring, as soon as the snow cover melts.

Suitable soil

In terms of soil, the ornamental Royalty apple tree is not particularly demanding and can grow on almost any type of soil. The exception is sandy and swampy soil. However, specimens grown on fertile, light soils can boast of the most enviable characteristics. To achieve this, the soil can be diluted with organic fertilizers; this should be done in the fall. In the spring, mineral fertilizers will be the best solution.

Suitable place for planting an apple Royalty

An important condition for further favorable growth and development is the choice of a landing site. For our decorative trees, it is worth choosing well-lit areas, with the presence of groundwater at a depth. A good level of lighting is essential for the leaves so that they can maintain rich hues for a long time. If there is not enough light, the foliage will be scanty and pale.

Landing hole stratification

After the landing site has been selected, it must be prepared. To do this, you must first dig a hole in which the seedling will be placed in the future.The depth of such a hole ranges from seventy centimeters to a meter, the width is within eighty centimeters. The soil removed from the hole must be diluted with mineral fertilizers and humus. The crown of an adult apple tree is quite lush, therefore, when choosing the distance between the holes for seedlings, you need to take this moment into account.

Apple-tree Royalty: planting material and how to choose it

In addition to choosing the correct planting site and soil composition, it is also necessary to choose the right planting material. When choosing seedlings, pay attention to the integrity of the trunk of the future tree. It must be strong, free from pest damage. A healthy trunk is green. The rhizomes should be branched, saturated with moisture, without defects in the growths.

Necessarily check for leaves if planting in autumn and closed buds if planting in spring.
After choosing a seedling, we prepare it for moving into open soil. To do this, you should place it in water in advance and let it stand for about six hours. Next, treat the roots with special antibacterial drugs. They can be replaced by a self-prepared weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Then the trees are placed in the holes and sprinkled with a layer of earth so that a piece of the rhizome (about ten centimeters) remains on the surface. After planting the apple tree, it is necessary to water and mulch the soil.

Apple-tree Royalty: how to properly care for an ornamental variety?

Apple Royalty: photo of the variety

The further complex of care measures is very simple. For good growth and proper development of the apple tree, it is enough to water correctly and prune in a timely manner.

Ornamental royalties apple trees are quite unpretentious, successfully tolerate dry weather and high temperatures. Therefore, watering should be fairly moderate. It is enough to ensure that the earth is moderately moist. The intensity of watering should be increased in hot weather.

Pruning rules

Pets are pruned twice a year - in spring and autumn. This must be done very carefully. Since the decorative shaping is not very suitable for this variety, pruning is limited to the removal of dry and diseased branches.

At what age should you start cutting a tree? The Royalty apple tree does not grow too fast. The first shoots that need pruning and grow at about three years of age. Then we can already talk about the formation of the crown. There is an opinion that decorative apple trees are able to form an elegant crown on their own, and do not need additional manipulations.
In addition, formative pruning is not only undesirable but can even be hazardous to the plant. After carrying out this procedure, the apple tree may slow down in growth and development, and even die in some cases.

After pruning, the Royal Apple variety needs to be carefully cared for. The trunk and branches should be treated with garden pitch. Today, similar compositions can be purchased in the store, although the basis will be chemical, not natural. It is better to prepare the composition with your own hands based on propolis and wax. Provided proper care and watering, the apple tree quickly rehabilitates after pruning.

Apple-tree Royalty: preventive measures

In early spring, it is advisable to take a set of preventive measures against pests and diseases. Most often, it is enough to treat the trees with preparations containing fungicides and insecticides. If these measures are not enough, the treatment can be repeated during the summer period.
Remember that birds are very interested in ripening small fruits, which is why it is important to process trees before flowering.

Preparation for wintering

Do I need to prepare trees for the winter period? As mentioned earlier, the trees are quite resistant to temperature conditions. They are not afraid of both high and negative temperatures. But despite this, a set of measures to prepare for the cold still exists.

• the trunk of the apple tree must be covered with a layer of whitewash.
• the trees have rather spreading branches, so they must be strengthened with props.
• the soil around the trunk is mulched. For these purposes, peat or sawdust is suitable.
• care must be taken to protect the plant from rodents and other small animals. For this, a metal mesh is placed around the apple tree.
• as soon as the first snow falls, it must be groomed under the tree so that a snowdrift is obtained.
  If the apple tree is grown in northern latitudes, in addition to the listed measures, additional measures are taken. Warming with special materials or burlap.

How can you multiply

How to propagate a decorative royalty apple tree? There are two ways - seedlings and seeds, although the second is used extremely rarely, because in this option there is a risk of losing the decorative features of the tree. If you still decide to grow an apple tree from seeds, then follow the mandatory steps - plant the seeds in a wide bowl, wait for the first shoots, and then plant in open soil.

Conclusion

So, if you have basic knowledge of planting and caring for the Royal apple tree, you can easily grow a decorative tree that will decorate the garden both in the most remote corner and in the center of any composition. The blossoming of the Royalty apple trees is a delightful sight. Like sakura, the tree is literally strewn with delicate inflorescences. In addition, the royalty apple tree retains its decorative properties until winter.

clue... If you want to see slender colorful alleys, plant trees in fifteen meter increments. And if you cut this distance to five meters, you can get a lush hedge.