Apple Cultivation
Apples
Apples are a well-known fruit belonging to the Rosaceae family. They grow on cultivated trees that require flower pollination. When mature, apple fruits are round, with a diameter ranging from 5–10 cm. They vary in acidity and color, including red, yellow, and green varieties. Apple trees thrive in regions located between 30–60 degrees latitude, north and south of the equator. Exposure to extreme cold can weaken their growth and cause damage.
China ranks first in global apple production, followed by the United States, India, and Turkey. Apples can be consumed fresh or used to produce vinegar, jam, juice, jelly, and even wine.
How to Plant Apple Trees
Apple trees can be planted by following these steps:
1. Choosing the Right Sapling:
- Select the desired variety of apple to be grown.
- Ensure the sapling is healthy, one to two years old, with a height of at least one meter.
- The sapling should have a main trunk with four strong branches and evenly distributed leaves.
2. Preparing the Land:
- Remove weeds and till the soil to a depth of 60–70 cm.
- Add organic fertilizers and plow the soil to a depth of 25–30 cm.
- It is recommended to prepare the land in late summer or early fall.
3. Dividing the Land:
- Divide the area based on the type of apple tree to be planted.
- Space the trees appropriately, considering whether one or multiple varieties will be planted.
4. Planting the Sapling:
- Apple saplings should be planted during the dormancy period, from late November to February.
- Steps to plant the sapling include:
- Coat the roots with mud before planting to ensure better contact with the soil.
- Trim any damaged or broken roots.
- Dig a hole 20–40 cm deep and place the sapling in it with the graft union 5–10 cm above the ground, opposite the wind direction.
- Fill the hole with soil without compacting it too much.
- Place 1.5-meter-long stakes in the wind direction and tie them to the sapling trunk at a 5 cm distance.
- Water the sapling with 5–10 liters of water. Avoid fertilizing for six months.
Growth Stages of Apple Trees
Apple trees go through several growth stages:
- Dormancy Stage: The tree remains inactive.
- Bud Swelling: Buds begin to swell and grow.
- Bud Opening: Buds open, revealing leaves.
- Flowering Stage: Flowers emerge, initially called “red caps,” then reach full bloom.
- Petal Fall: Petals drop, and the fruits start to form.
- Fruit Development: The fruit grows from 10 mm to 18 mm, then 3 cm, and eventually 5 cm until it matures.
Caring for Apple Trees
Proper care is essential once the tree begins to grow:
1. Fertilization:
- The tree requires nutrients that may not always be available in the soil.
- Use well-fermented organic fertilizers in November or January.
- Ensure the fertilizer is water-soluble, and avoid over-fertilization.
2. Pruning:
- Prune the tree to shape its structure.
- Remove overlapping branches that block sunlight or shorten overly long branches.
3. Weed Control:
- Remove weeds as they compete with the tree for nutrients and water.
- Use herbicides if weeds persist.
Harvesting Apples
Signs that apples are ready to harvest include:
- The fruit’s color changes from dark to light and becomes glossy.
- The seeds turn black or brown.
- The aroma becomes sweeter, and the taste shifts from starchy to sugary.
- Apples that detach easily from the branch are likely ripe.
Tools like a hand refractometer can measure sugar levels, and a color chart can determine the exact ripeness based on the variety.
Conditions for Growing Apples
Certain factors influence apple growth positively or negatively. Consider these conditions:
1. Temperature:
- Optimal temperatures for apple growth range from 17.7–20.5°C.
- Buds require exposure to cold temperatures (around 7°C) to break dormancy. Temperatures below this may lead to frost damage to flowers.
2. Light:
- Adequate light enhances tree growth.
- For red apples, plant in elevated areas to expose the tree to UV rays, responsible for red coloration. Regular pruning ensures sufficient light penetration.
3. Humidity:
- High humidity can cause diseases, while drought halts growth. Moderate humidity is ideal.
4. Soil:
- Apples grow best in deep, fertile, loamy-sandy soil with a pH of 6–7, rich in nutrients.
5. Land Slope:
- Sloped land prevents frost in winter and early spring by draining cold air. However, overly steep slopes can lead to soil erosion.
Diseases Affecting Apple Trees
Apple trees are susceptible to various diseases, including:
1. Apple Stem Borer:
- Creates tunnels in the tree, causing branch dryness and fruit damage.
- Controlled using pheromone traps and chemical treatments.
2. Rust Mite:
- Stunts tree growth, turns leaves brown, and causes bud death during winter.
- Managed by removing weeds and spraying trees with oil mixed with mite and sulfur pesticides.
3. Powdery Mildew:
- Causes white spots on the underside of leaves, leading to the death of leaves, buds, and fruit clusters.
- Treated by pruning infected branches and applying copper-based fungicides or winter oils.
Benefits of Apples
The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” highlights the health benefits of apples. They are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and B vitamins, which maintain red blood cells and nerve cells.
A 2006 study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine found that apples protect against neuronal inflammation. Another study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggests apple juice helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Apples also lower the risk of stroke, prevent spikes in bad cholesterol due to their dietary fiber, and provide essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Health Benefits:
- May reduce the risk of diabetes and breast cancer.
- Help manage obesity.
