Description, characteristics and breeding history of the Bratchud apple tree, planting and care
Many gardeners, both beginners and experienced, have already appreciated the merits of the Bratchud apple tree. The fruit tree has many wonderful qualities that make it stand out from other varieties. Before growing, it is better to familiarize yourself with the characteristics in detail, this will avoid flaws.
Breeding history
The Bratchud variety was bred by the Chelyabinsk Research Institute in order to grow a fruit tree that is not afraid of Siberian frosts. Winter Ural and Plakuchee Vydubetskoe were used for crossing. Until 2002, the apple tree was grown only in Siberia, but thanks to its merits, it quickly spread throughout the country.
Features of the winter variety of apple trees Bratchud
Bratchud has many advantages noted by gardeners. The features of Bratchud include:
- frost resistance;
- fruit taste;
- yield;
- constant fruiting.
The brother Chudny variety has a slight drawback - a weak immune system. The tree is often sick with scab and powdery mildew.
Wood appearance
The external features of the Bratchud apple tree does not stand out among similar fruit crops, but it is better to study the description of the tree. Knowledge will allow you to avoid mistakes in growing and even choosing a place for planting a seedling.
Barrel length
The height of a dwarf rarely exceeds 2.5 m. Even with proper care on nutrient soils, Bratchud does not try to grow in height, preferring to give all his strength to fruiting.
Crown width
The branches of the plant are located horizontally to the soil surface. The crown is spreading, rather dense. The width often reaches 4 m.
The nuances of ripening and fruiting
In order to appreciate the advantages of the Bratchud variety, it is recommended to study the features of ripening and fruiting. This will ensure that the selection was correct.
Start
The variety begins to bear fruit just 4-5 years after planting. In warm regions on nutrient soils, the first fruits appear in just three years.
Yield
The Bratchud variety is quite fruitful. An adult tree gives up to one and a half centners of juicy fruits. The mass of one fruit is up to 180 g.
Flowering and ripening terms
The Bratchud apple tree blooms in late April or even early May.In harsh conditions, the first buds often bloom even in late spring.
Fruit ripening begins in late April and lasts until the end of September. In cool conditions, apples stay on trees until almost mid-autumn.
Apple tasting score
Bratchud fruits are juicy, fleshy, green in color with a bright pink blush. The taste is very sweet, there is a slight sourness.
Collection and storage of the fetus
Bratchud apples have a strong petiole that does not allow ripe fruits to crumble. You have to harvest directly from the tree. Store in cool conditions. At a temperature, the fruits will be perfectly preserved for almost six months.
Technical details
Studying the technical data will equip yourself with the knowledge that will facilitate the process of caring for the Bratchud apple tree. It is recommended to study the immunity, resistance and endurance of the plant.
Tree life
One of the disadvantages of the Bratchud apple tree is its short life. Even with a maximum of care, timely top dressing, the tree will stop bearing fruit in 20 years, you will have to replace it with young plants.
Disease resistance
Despite its resistance to cold temperatures, Bratchud has weak immunity. The tree often infects scab, rot, in a particularly rainy summer, powdery mildew spreads on apple trees.
Winter hardiness
Apple tree Bratchud is a leader in durability, easily tolerates even frosty winters with temperatures up to 40 degrees below zero. The only thing that can disturb the tree is the freezing of the roots.
Subspecies and variants
The Bratchud apple tree has many subspecies, each of which has its own pluses and minuses. The variety is widely used in breeding work to develop new varieties.
Creeping
The apple tree has a flat, almost horizontal crown. The height of an adult plant is up to 2.5 m.The fruits are not too large - up to 150 g.
Low
The height of an adult apple tree is up to 2 m. Apples of medium size are 130-150 g. Fruiting early, already in the third year after planting young trees it will be possible to harvest.
Dwarf
One of the tree's differences is that even a ten-year-old apple tree does not exceed one and a half meters in height. This does not affect the weight of the fruit - the weight of apples ranges from 140 to 150 g.
Super dwarf
Considered a crumb apple tree, an adult tree can hardly reach one meter in height. Of the shortcomings - after a dozen years, the apple tree rapidly reduces the yield.
How to grow an apple tree
Achieve active fruiting and rapid growth of the tree will be obtained with proper care. We should not forget about observing the rules for planting a seedling.
Features of planting and care
It is recommended to plant the Bratchud apple tree in sunny areas. In advance, you should take care of protection from wind, drafts - plant a tree in a cozy corner.
Carefully study the location of groundwater, if they are too close, there is a risk of ruining the roots of the plant.
Preparing the seedling and the hole
Before planting, soak the roots in warm water or clay mixture (stir 500 g of clay in a bucket of water).
Prepare a small hole - no more than half a meter in diameter. The depth of the pit is also up to half a meter.
What soil composition is needed
Mix the soil mixture in advance - combine river sand, compost, peat. Be sure to add garden soil. Do not add fertilizers, but if the soil composition is too scanty, add a little mineral fertilizing to the soil mixture.
Planting a tree
Planting is usually carried out - place the roots in the hole, straighten it, making sure that there are no creases. Cover with soil mixture carefully, checking whether the voids between the shoots are completely filled. Be sure to immediately tie it to the support.
Watering
After planting, irrigate the soil; a bucket of water is enough for the seedling.A mature tree will also need watering, especially in hot summers. It is imperative to carry out loosening, weed removal in advance.
Top dressing
Bratchud is fed in the spring with nitrogen fertilizers. Organic fertilizing is recommended during the warm season. In autumn, the last fertilization should be carried out in October - to water the soil with complex compounds.
Crown pruning
It is not necessary to cut the crown annually, the variety is not prone to thickening. Only too long shoots, branches broken or frost-damaged are shortened. The first pruning is done the next year after planting. Usually only the trunk is removed, the cut is at a height of half a meter from the soil surface.
Insect and infection control
Insects rarely occupy Bratchud; it will be possible to avoid the spread of pests with sparing folk remedies. To prevent diseases, carry out preventive irrigation regularly, starting in spring. Use chemicals in which copper is the active ingredient.
Mulching
Put the mulch layer immediately after planting the seedlings. Renew compost or humus regularly. Before winter frosts, cover the trunk circle with a thick layer - this will protect it from freezing.
Due to its taste and endurance, Bratchud is grown not only in harsh conditions, but also in warmer regions of the country. The apple tree will certainly delight you with the harvest of sweet juicy fruits, which are used in desserts, preservation, and are eaten fresh with pleasure.
