The ornamental apple impresses with its high decorative value, as the fruits are ideal for autumn arrangements or bouquets, for example. And even if the very small fruits are not generally suitable as table apples, some varieties can be used for making jelly and jam. Robust and easy to care for, the approximately 500 species of the ornamental apple, which grows as a tree or large shrub, can also be cultivated by beginners.
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Colorful biodiversity – overview
The crabapple impresses with its great biodiversity, which also includes numerous East Asian wild species. The main differences between the individual varieties are the color of the flowers, the size and color of the apple and the leaves, and the overall height of the tree or shrub.
- The plant size varies between 100cm and twelve meters
- Small fruits are 1cm, larger ones up to 4cm
- The apples are either red, yellow, blue or purple in color and are partially patterned
- The flower color ranges from white to pink to red
The species “Liset”, whose leaves are purple-red when they shoot, is particularly popular in domestic gardens. the blue-red fruits provide particularly decorative color elements in the autumn and winter garden. This cultivation is the sister variety of the also common “Profusion”, which, however, is much more susceptible to typical diseases such as apple scab. One of the wildly cultivated East Asian wild species is the multi-flowered apple (Malus floribunda), which grows on a four to ten meter high tree or shrub with dark red buds and pink flowers. In the autumn months, the tree bathes the garden in a warm light with its bright orange foliage and small red fruits. If you want to enjoy the colorful fruits even during winter, uses the “Malus sargentil” type; The crabapple, which grows as a shrub, only grows up to a maximum of three meters, but impresses with its yellow-red autumn color and dark red fruits, some of which stick into the next spring. The “Evereste” species also produces decorative fruits throughout the winter; These are particularly impressive because of their striped pattern, which consists of yellow and red parts.
In addition to the decorative aspect, the utilization of the fruit also plays a role. Depending on the type, most apples taste very bitter and tart, but certain varieties are quite suitable for consumption and further processing. These include above all “John Downie” and “Golden Honet”. Both types have a sweet taste and are popular for making jelly and jam. Because of the pectin contained in the fruit, the dishes made from the apples gel particularly well.
Optimal location conditions ensure good growth
So that the ornamental apple can develop properly, attention should be paid to the correct location conditions. Most species do best in the sun or light shade. Additional protection from heat is particularly important; if the crabapple is in a hot and dry place, the plant reacts by fading the flowers. The leaves are also bleached by intense rays of the sun. Ornamental apples thrive optimally if, in addition to sun protection, sufficient protection from the wind is also ensured. Otherwise, the branches will lose their flowers prematurely. Ornamental apples feel good in loose groups of trees and in spring beds.
Smaller species, for example “Malus Tina”, can be cultivated well in pots or buckets; the plant reaches a height of 60cm to 100cm. Even the smaller species need to be protected from intense heat and wind; a sufficient size of the pot is also important. Such varieties thrive particularly well on the balcony, whereby the plants should not be exposed to the hot midday sun.
In addition to the optimal location, the composition of the substrate in which the ornamental apple is planted is also important. Good garden soil that meets certain conditions is suitable:
- rich in nutrients
- neutral pH
- good ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus
- permeable and profound
- fumes
- sandy to loamy
Watering, fertilizing and wintering – optimal care
Ornamental apples always need enough water so that they can thrive optimally. A lack of water is usually noticeable in the form of brown leaves and loss of foliage. As soon as the top layer of soil begins to dry, it should be poured continuously. In the case of buckets, the water is supplied until some of the liquid runs out of the drainage holes in the bowl. However, pouring over the leaves should be avoided. – Mold can be the result.
In addition, the plant thrives particularly well in a substrate that contains many nutrients. The crabapple also reacts to a lack of phosphorus and nitrogen with discoloration and premature shedding of the leaves. For this reason, the plant should also be fertilized regularly. The first dose can be given before the flowers begin to form. Organic fertilizers are used, which have a high proportion of phosphorus and at the same time contain less nitrogen. Compost is also an excellent fertilizer; mulching the tree disc has also proven its worth. Caution is advised with mineral fertilizers: Ornamental apples are very sensitive to saline soil.
Overall, however, the crabapple requires little care. Since most of the species are absolutely hardy, the trees and bushes can easily remain outdoors during the cold season. Even frost can usually not harm the robust plant. Protected locations help potted plants survive the cold season well; drying winds could damage the plants.
Maintenance cut and thinning
Ornamental apples can be cut regularly using different methods:
- Young trees are regularly pruned
- Occasional thinning is sufficient for older plants
- The summer pruning takes place at the beginning of June
- A targeted pruning takes place in February March before the leaves form
- Radical cuts are also tolerated
Numerous species of the ornamental apple exist as a shrub. In the case of older plants, it is sufficient to thinning out at larger intervals, whereby older shoots are cut out just above the ground and dead branches are removed. If certain shoots present themselves as particularly disturbing – for example because they are too close together or because they cross strongly – they can be redirected to cheaper shoots. If the remaining shoots do not interfere due to their excess length, shortening is usually not necessary. Young shrubs, on the other hand, should be cut back regularly to improve side shoots. The shrub can then branch out much better. When pruning, the scissors are placed over an outward-facing bud. In doing so, you should adopt a sloping position. The distance from the cut surface to the bud should be between half a centimeter and one centimeter. Thicker branches are then removed with a small saw.
Ornamental apples that watch as a tree can also tolerate a targeted pruning. If the plant has been planted free-standing and the formation of a beautiful trunk is desired, the plant can be attached in summer. This means removing the lower branches from the crown. In a first step, the lowest side branches are first sawed off. If the selected branches are too large in diameter, they can be sawn off at a distance of 10 cm from the trunk. For the optimal separation of the branch, it is first sawed in a few centimeters on the underside. The saw is then applied from above before the branch is finally completely severed. Finally, the stump is touched up. However, a sufficient distance from the trunk must be maintained so that the branch collar remains intact.
In order to repair the crown of the ornamental apple, it can be thinned out specifically in autumn or winter. This procedure is particularly recommended if there is dead wood in the crown; then the leaf cover is often too thin on the outside. When thinning, some thick branches of the ornamental apple are removed. The branches concerned are sawn in a few centimeters on the underside. Only then is the saw attached to the top. This will prevent the branches from tearing off. Care should be taken not to place the saw too close to the trunk. After the branch has been severed, the wound surfaces should again be treated with a wound medication.
Planting and propagation
Autumn is the best season to plant ornamental apples. At this time, both root ball and root products are available in stores, which can then be planted until April. If the planting is to take place after autumn, however, it must be ensured that the soil is free from frost. Container goods, on the other hand, are available all year round; these trees have a well-rooted ball and can therefore be planted at any time. However, the planting works best when no foliage is formed.
Propagation works particularly well with cuttings cut in June. Each copy should have six or seven leaves. The shoot tip is completely removed directly behind the second leaf from the top; Before the cutting is inserted, the two lower leaves are also cut off, which would otherwise rot in the earth. After the treatment with little root hormone, the cutting is then placed in a mixture of peat culture substrate and gardener sand. In order for the roots to run optimally, the plant needs a uniformly moist substrate and high humidity at temperatures around 20 ° C. These ratios are best achieved when the pot is covered with foil and placed in partial shade. Leaves falling from the cutting must always be removed immediately. After six weeks the beginning budding can be seen; now the cover can be removed by the hour at first and then completely. After a few weeks, the cuttings are planted in plastic pots, where they will remain until spring.
In addition to propagating the ornamental apple using cuttings, this can also be done by sowing; however, this form proves to be unpromising. On the one hand, pure daughter generations cannot be obtained in this case, and on the other hand, the germination of the apple core is difficult and often hopeless.
Treating pests and diseases successfully
The crabapple is often attacked by apple scab, which is caused by a harmful fungus. Brown-gray to brown-green spots appear as damage, which increase in size over the course of the vegetation period. Sunken brown-gray and scabbed spots can be seen on the fruits, which tear open and cork. Various measures are suitable for prevention:
- Choose a slightly airy location as the leaves dry off faster
- Remove fall leaves in autumn
- Provide active soil life that quickly removes the leaves
- Keep the crown airy by carefully cutting
The chemical treatment is often very complex; the use of pesticides is often not worthwhile.
In addition to the harmful fungus, apple powdery mildew is also often found on the plants, which manifests itself as brown rusty spots on the fruits and floury white coatings on the leaves. In addition to targeted spraying, solutions made from soft soaps and the targeted introduction of beneficial organisms also help.
Conclusion
The crabapple is suitable for beginners as well as for passionate hobby gardeners. The maintenance effort remains very low, and less suitable locations are tolerated by most species. Robust and resilient, the plant provides decorative splashes of color in the home garden and, depending on the variety, provides tasty fruit that can be processed into jelly and jam.