Apple tree Dream is a high-yielding, winter-hardy variety . The plant was obtained at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture named after I.V. Michurin by crossing two popular apple trees Pepin saffron and Papirovka.
The fruit tree is often found in central Russia and Belarus on private plots and in collective farms.
The apple tree has the properties of periodic fruiting . To prevent this, you should study all the factors for caring for this plant.
Characteristics
Features and Disadvantages
This fruit crop is at a fairly high level among gardeners due to the following qualities:
- High winter hardiness;
- Resistance to diseases caused by microorganisms;
- Not affected by scab;
- High yield;
- Early fruiting.
The main disadvantages of the apple tree are the following indicators:
- Poor survival rate with clonal rootstocks;
- Deformation of fruits during drought;
- Short-term storage of fruits.
But despite these shortcomings, the tree has a very elegant appearance with its plump apples, which have excellent taste.
Semi-dwarf rootstock.
Tree height
The trunk of the apple tree is straight and strong, with medium vigor. In rare cases it reaches 3.5 - 4 meters. The color of the bark is red-gray, while young shoots are brown-green.
Crown width
The crown has a spreading, rather rounded-conical shape . In order for the tree to look compact, it is necessary to carefully maintain and trim the branches.
Productivity
Apples are medium to large in size . Weight averages from 110 to 250 grams. Larger apples were observed on the dwarf rootstock, smaller apples on the seed rootstock.
Average yields are 110 kg per apple tree. In exceptional cases, up to 150 kg of fruit can be collected.
Important! Soil depletion and unfavorable climatic conditions can lead the apple tree to fluctuations in fruiting.
Tasting assessment
The fruits have a regular round shape and are pale yellow or greenish in color.
If apples grow in open sunny areas, they turn bright red when ripe. The pulp of the fruit is loose, white with a pink transformation.
Dream apples are slightly aromatic, but very juicy and have a balanced sweet and sour taste. The tasting score is 4.5 points on a 5-point scale.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of fruits often depends on the care , fertilizers used and storage of the crop.
One of the main components of apples of this variety is water.
They also
- A large number of organic acids,
- Carbohydrates
- Zhirov,
- Belkov,
- Dietary fiber.
Sugar content in fruits
Dream apples are also rich in unrefined natural sugars :
- Fructose,
- Sucrose,
- Glucose.
The average calorie content of the fruit is 40 kcal per 100 g. , due to which this variety is often used in nutrition.
Self-fertility
The apple tree is not a self-fertile variety . For regular and abundant fruiting, the tree must be planted with other pollinated plants.
Winter hardiness
Apple tree with a rich harvest.
Thanks to selection, the Mechta apple tree is resistant to the climatic conditions of the northern regions .
This variety is considered one of the fairly winter-hardy crops, which is not afraid of severe frosts and sudden temperature changes.
Disease resistance
This culture has a high immunity rate.
It is not susceptible to attacks by pests and does not succumb to diseases caused by fungi. It is resistant to scab and powdery mildew.
Please note! In some regions of Russia it is attacked by the apple moth and fruit mites.
Description of the variety
Mechta is zoned for central Russia, but is also successfully grown in other regions. When growing in the Moscow region and the Urals, it is necessary to insulate the roots for the winter, as well as follow watering schedules. The semi-dwarf species is more suitable for the northwestern regions, and the creeping species is more suitable for Siberia.
The Mechta apple tree, the description of which promises a maximum tree height of 2.5 m, in some cases grows up to 4 m. The bark of an adult tree is red-gray, while that of young shoots is brown-green. The trunk is very strong and straight, the crown is rounded and branches strongly. At the same time, the crown is prone to severe overgrowth and therefore requires constant shaping and pruning. Otherwise, the harvest will be significantly smaller.
Attention! The dwarf apple tree rootstock of the Mechta variety is capable of producing a harvest already in the second year, and a plant grafted with seeds only in the fourth. Apples are the same size
The shape of the fruit is regular, round. The color at the stage of technical maturity is greenish-yellow, with a pink-red blush on the sunny side. The pulp is very sugary, loose, but juicy. Painted snow-white with a barely noticeable pink tint. The aroma is weak, but the taste characteristics deserve high praise. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, quite refreshing
Apples are the same size. The shape of the fruit is regular, round. The color at the stage of technical maturity is greenish-yellow, with a pink-red blush on the sunny side. The pulp is very sugary, loose, but juicy. Painted snow-white with a barely noticeable pink tint. The aroma is weak, but the taste characteristics deserve high praise. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, quite refreshing.
The apple variety Mechta is a summer species. Harvest occurs at the beginning of August. Flowering lasts from April to May. The flowers are pure white, without inclusions. If watering is uneven, the apples may fall off or crack. Mechta is not a self-fertile variety, therefore, to obtain a bountiful harvest, you need to plant a pollinator nearby, which is Melba or Striped Cinnamon. If the soil is severely depleted, frost or severe drought occurs, the Dream may go into a dormant period for one year. The yield from one mature tree ranges from 100 to 120 kg. One fruit can weigh up to 200 grams. Moreover, the largest apples grow on dwarf rootstocks.
Attention! Dream does not combine very well with clonal rootstocks. The chemical composition of fruits is greatly influenced by the fertilizers and care used.
In any case, Mechta apples are widely used in dietary nutrition. The variety adapts to the harsh climatic conditions of various regions. It is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature or cold winters, which is why it is considered one of the most frost-resistant. Mechta exhibits increased resistance to various diseases, including scab and powdery mildew. The fruits of this variety are stored very poorly, a maximum of a couple of months.
The chemical composition of the fruit is greatly influenced by the fertilizers and care used. In any case, Mechta apples are widely used in dietary nutrition. The variety adapts to the harsh climatic conditions of various regions. It is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature or cold winters, which is why it is considered one of the most frost-resistant. Mechta exhibits increased resistance to various diseases, including scab and powdery mildew. The fruits of this variety are stored very poorly, a maximum of a couple of months.
Reviews
Elena. Belarus. Vitebsk region. "Hello. I purchased a one-year-old Mechta apple tree seedling for my summer cottage at the nursery after I read the description, photos, and reviews.
I waited 4 years for fruiting. The tree is very spreading, it was necessary to do regular pruning of branches. I didn’t observe any diseases in the tree, but caterpillars and aphids regularly attacked the plant, so I had to constantly spray it with special products.
I was very pleased with the quality of the fruit . Although they do not last long, they have a very pleasant sweet and sour taste.
So far I am harvesting a small harvest, but this is only the first fruiting. In the future I hope for an abundance of apples, as I love all kinds of canning.”
Selivanova Tamara. Stavropol region. Zheleznovodsk. "Good afternoon. She suffered from obesity for many years. Having tried all the methods of losing weight and following all kinds of diets, I came to the conclusion that my body cannot overcome the feeling of hunger. After all the procedures, I began to eat with even greater appetite. Having already given up my hands and come to terms with my physique, I heard in one program about the beneficial properties of Dream apples .
It turns out that they not only contain vitamins and nutrients, but are also able to satisfy hunger with the low calories contained in apples. I decided to try this diet, but I wondered where I could buy this variety of apples in our city? After all the thinking, after weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to plant this variety at my parents’ place in the private sector.
Since I have no experience in gardening, I stocked up on the relevant literature. 7 years have passed since the seedling took root; now it is a beautiful ornamental tree with red plump apples.
Care consisted only of pruning ; there were no pests or diseases during this period. I harvested my first harvest in the third year of the apple tree’s life and immediately switched to an apple diet. The fruits are juicy, tasty with a predominance of sourness and perfectly satisfy the feeling of hunger. In 4 years, I lost 20 kg of excess weight without exhausting my body.”
Kutuzov Pavel Sergeevich. Astrakhan region. “I greet you, farmers growing cultivated trees and amateur gardeners. I decided to share with you my experience in growing and operating apple trees.
I live in a rural area and my family’s main income is the sale of fruits and berries from their plot. I started my activity several years ago. At that time, I owned a small plot of land and large quantities of apple tree seedlings were out of the question.
I came to the conclusion that dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks are the best option for solving this problem.
Having studied all the characteristics and qualities of all apple trees, photos and descriptions of the variety, I settled on the semi-dwarf rootstock of the Dream apple tree.
I'll explain why:
- First of all, it is a compact plant that does not take up much free space;
- Begins to bear fruit in the second year after planting;
- The most important thing is the abundant fruiting of fruits with consumer qualities.
One drawback of this variety is the short storage of fruits. There’s really nothing to store; apples are so in demand by buyers that they sell out with a bang.”
Landing
Planting an apple tree seedling.
Place
In order for apples to form well and have good taste, it is necessary to choose the right planting site.
The Dream apple tree prefers good lighting and loamy or slurry soil.
Advice! You should not plant an apple tree in places where water stagnates, as this variety does not tolerate high humidity.
Preparation
Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the area. To do this, you need to dig it up in the spring and fertilize it with humus.
Deadlines
The best time to plant is early spring.
The planting period depends on the climatic conditions of the region. As a rule, it occurs at the end of April, beginning of May.
Technology
A week before planting the seedling, dig a hole about 65 centimeters deep and at least one meter wide.
It should be taken into account that the distance between other planting crops should not be less than 4 meters.
A mixture of humus and eggshells is placed at the bottom and dug up. After time, the hole is watered and the seedling is laid, carefully distributing the roots.
They are then backfilled, eliminating all air from under the soil. During planting, you should ensure that the root collar is 5 cm above ground level .
Planting a seedling
Planting a seedling should be carried out in a spacious area, on the sunny side. There should be no drafts in the area chosen for planting an apple tree, because strong winds lead to the spread of insects and fungal spores, and also cause branches to break off. The occurrence of groundwater should be at a depth of 1.5–2 m so that the rhizome does not rot when in contact with water.
Did you know? A wild apple tree can have a trunk diameter of 40 cm and reach an age of 200 years.
Selection of seedlings
Planting material is selected in a specialized store or nursery, be sure to pay attention to the graft mark, which should guarantee the authenticity of the variety. Select 1–2 year old plants that have reached 50 cm in height and have 4–5 developed shoots
It is imperative to inspect the seedling for diaper rash. There should be no cracks, wounds or growths on the aboveground part of the plant. The roots should be elastic and flexible, not brittle and dry. The presence of blossoming leaves on the shoots is unacceptable.
Landing dates
You can plant apple trees in regions with harsh and temperate climates in the spring, when the snow has melted and the air temperature is stable at +15°C. Such planting dates are necessary so that the seedling has time to get stronger before winter frosts.
Read more about what to plant under an apple tree for beauty and maximum benefit.
In regions with a warm climate, planting can be done in the autumn. The optimal time for planting apple seedlings in the fall is the end of September - beginning of October. The planting process should take place 3 weeks before the upcoming frost.
Preparing the soil for planting
The soil for planting must be prepared 6 months before the planting process. The entire area must be dug up to a depth of 30 cm with humus, using 5 kg of fertilizer per 1 m².
The apple tree is planted in soil with a neutral pH. If the soils are acidic, they need to be limed. For the procedure, take dolomite flour, using 0.5 kg of the product per 1 m² for acidic soils and 0.4 g for medium acidity.
Planting scheme
The pit for planting is prepared 2 weeks before the process. It is necessary to dig a hole 60 cm deep and 70 cm wide. The layer of soil that was located on the top of the pit must be mixed with 15 kg of manure and 300 g of superphosphate. A mixture of soil and fertilizer is introduced into the hole to the middle and watered with 10 liters of water. The top of the pit is covered with plastic film and left in this position until the actual procedure of planting the seedling.
Technology for planting a seedling in a hole:
- Loosen the soil inside the hole and shape it into a hill.
- Drive a 2 m high peg into the middle of the hole.
- Insert the seedling into the hole, carefully leveling the roots along the mound of soil.
- Fill the hole to the top with soil and compact it tightly.
- Tie a stake to the seedling.
- Water the hole with 20 liters of water.
Proper planting of an apple tree: 1 - placing the seedling in a trench; 2 - seedling buried for the winter.
Care
Features of cultivation
The first time after planting, the seedling is watered abundantly, but stagnation of water is not allowed , since the rhizomes can decompose.
You also need to monitor the soil during the formation of apples, watering during this period is carried out 4 times a month.
Although the apple tree is immune to various diseases, do not forget about plant prevention. Treating wood with fungicides helps prevent various diseases.
Attention! The apple tree needs regular weeding and loosening of the soil.
Before the winter period, it is recommended to cover the trunk with polyethylene to avoid rodent attacks and hypothermia of the tree. We should not forget about insect pests.
Pruning and crown formation
In order for the crown to be established and formed, it is necessary to do pruning.
Pruning is carried out in early spring before the first buds bloom.
Caring for seedlings: crown formation.
In the first year, the branches of the seedlings are cut off by one third, then the crown is thinned out annually, removing all unnecessary areas. If it is necessary to remove the entire branch, it is recommended not to leave stumps and to prune at the base.
Pollinator varieties
The apple tree of the Mechta variety is self-sterile.
In order for it to bear fruit, it needs varieties of apple trees with seasonal flowering . Wild varieties of apple trees such as Melba or Brown Striped are considered excellent pollinators for this crop.
Top dressing
In the first year after planting the seedling, it is fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers for better survival.
In the future, for better development of the crown and abundant fruiting of the apple tree, fertilizing is carried out 2 times a year.
In the spring, root fertilizers are applied with urea and fertilized with nitroamophos.
In the fall , fertilizer that does not contain nitrogen is applied.
Features of caring for a creeping variety
Caring for the creeping Mechta apple tree variety is more labor-intensive, since this species forms near the ground.
In order for buds to form on new branches, they should be exposed to regular sunlight.
So that the branches do not form a crown, but are fertile, they are pinched on a 4-5 m leaf.
To avoid new germination, this procedure is repeated regularly.
Before wintering, the branches of the apple tree are laid no more than 50 cm above the ground, otherwise the branches die during severe frosts.
Important! In spring, dead and weak areas of the apple tree are removed using pruners.
Description of the plant
The trees are medium-sized, about 4-5 m high (depending on the rootstock). In the first three years they grow intensively up to 3-3.5 m, then growth stops. Adult apple trees have a rounded pyramidal, spreading, dense crown. The skeletal branches are arranged compactly, extending from the trunk at an angle close to a straight line, with their ends directed upward. The shoots are round, geniculate, covered with brownish-brown bark with pubescence and numerous lentils. The branches are heavily leafy, strong, able to withstand the weight of a ripening crop without breaking. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green, matte, wrinkled, slightly pubescent, elliptical in shape with a long-pointed tip. The leaf blade is concave-convex, curved in the form of a keel, with jagged (serrate) edges.
The flowering period occurs in the first ten days of May. The inflorescences consist of small flat flowers with rounded white petals
The “Dream” apple tree is unpretentious in care and does not require any agrotechnical efforts beyond the standard. When growing, experts advise to correctly form the crown and preventively treat the tree against scab. Planting is permissible both in autumn and spring, but spring planting is more preferable, giving the tree the opportunity to get stronger and grow. The place for the seedling should be chosen in a well-lit place (eastern or southern side of the site), with a sufficiently deep groundwater table.
Practical recommendations for pruning an apple tree of this variety can be obtained from the following video:
Features of ripening and fruiting
Beginning of fruiting
The fruiting of a tree depends on its care and weather conditions.
Apple trees grafted onto a seed rootstock begin to bear fruit in the 4th year of growth.
The dwarf subspecies, with proper care, begins to bear fruit much earlier, in the 2nd year after planting.
Flowering time
Apple trees bloom from late April to mid-May. The inflorescences are pure white, without any shades.
Fruit
Ripening time
The Mechta apple tree is classified as a summer variety . Fruiting begins from late July to late August.
Collection time
It is necessary to monitor the ripening of the fruits, as they tend to crack and fall from the tree. Harvesting occurs at intervals of ripening.
Shelf life
Apples of the “Dream” variety.
The shelf life of apples is low. Fresh apples can be stored for no more than 2 months. When storing fruits, temperature and humidity play a big role. The fruit storage room should be at room temperature and average humidity.
General information
Apples contain a lot of useful vitamins and microelements. These fruits have been known to mankind since ancient times, they are described in fairy tales and epics, and are mentioned in books on folk medicine. This fruit is eaten not only fresh. It is used to prepare preserves, dishes and baked goods. The plant has the ability to bear fruit periodically, and for regular harvesting it must be provided with proper care.
The Mechta apple variety is the fruit of the labors of breeders at the Michurin Institute. They sought to breed a tree that could not only withstand cold weather, but also exhibit increased resistance to major diseases. The fruits, according to the authors’ idea, should have excellent taste. We decided to use time-tested varieties as the basis.
Apple variety Dream
Pepin Saffron is the best work of the famous breeder Michurin. This variety of apples became known to gardeners back in 1907. The variety has a lot of positive qualities, namely:
- excellent taste;
- excellent transportability;
- aesthetic appearance;
- ability to regenerate;
- self-fertility.
This variety became the basis for the development of more than twenty new varieties, zoned for different climatic zones.
The second mother variety for Mechta was Belyi Naliv. Its characteristics indicate that the tree is not only winter-hardy, but also requires minimal maintenance. True, its fruits are not suitable for transportation over long distances, and also do not have a pronounced color. As a result of crossing these two varieties, an apple tree of the Dream variety was obtained, which absorbed not only the best aspects, but also certain disadvantages.
Subspecies and options
Rootstocks
Dwarf
This variety appeared by rootstock for a dwarf type of apple tree. When choosing this type, keep in mind that it requires proper planting and careful maintenance.
This low-growing apple tree variety is valued for the following qualities:
- Small crown size;
- Early maturation;
- Good yield;
- Excellent consumer qualities;
- Changes in fruiting are extremely rare.
The disadvantage of this subspecies is the weak root system, since it is located close to the surface of the earth. To avoid freezing, the soil around the plant should be properly insulated.
You should know! The fruiting period of this subspecies is no more than 15 years.
Semi-dwarf
The semi-dwarf apple tree Mechta gained its popularity for its compact appearance, small stature and neat crown.
The advantages of this apple tree are:
- Decorative look;
- Winter hardiness;
- Abundant fruiting;
- Easy to care for.
This type of apple not only decorates garden plots, but is also a source of tasty and healthy apples.
Due to its ease of care, it is valued among novice amateur gardeners.
Varieties
Summer
The summer variety of apple tree Mechta is characterized by a medium-sized tree that begins to bear fruit in the early stages.
Fruit:
- Elongated,
- Oval,
- Average size 170 gr.
This species is valued for its fruit's taste and resistance to scab and other plant diseases.
Belarusian selection
The Dream variety has gained popularity in Belarus due to the frost resistance and early fruiting of the apple tree.
Apple tree "Dream".
This species is resistant to pests and many diseases.
The tree is of medium height with a rounded crown. The fruits have a rounded-asymmetrical shape, measuring 150 g. Tasting score for apples: 4.1 points.
creeping
In creeping apple trees (slates), as the crown grows and develops, the branches remain squat and do not grow upward.
As a rule, gardeners themselves form the crown of the tree using bending and pruning. It will take 5-6 years to achieve the desired result.
Advice! Although caring for this species is easy, timely pruning should be carried out regularly.
Sverdlovsk selection
Several decades ago, cultivated apple trees, including wild ones, rarely coexisted in the Sverdlovsk region.
Thanks to selection for these climatic conditions with infertile soil, varieties with good survival rate and regular fruiting were bred.
One of these varieties is Apple Tree Dream.
The variety is ideal for this region because:
- Has absolute resistance to 5 scab races,
- Tolerates frost in winter and drought in summer.
Origin story
This variety was bred in the middle of the last century by breeders of the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture named after. Michurin by crossing popular varieties of the crop: “Papirovka” and “Pepina saffron”, which are recognized donors of valuable properties.
Apple trees "Papirovka" (pictured left) and "Pepin saffron" (right), which served as parent forms
Low indicators of transportability and keeping quality of fruits led to the fact that “Dream” never received official registration in the State Register of the Russian Federation. But decent winter hardiness, attractive appearance, and most importantly, the unforgettable taste of apples won the hearts of summer residents and owners of small gardens in many regions of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, where the variety was zoned in all regions and included in the State Register of the country in 2005.
Over the past decades, tests of this apple tree have been regularly carried out in field conditions in the Belgorod region and high mountainous regions of Dagestan.
Features of cultivation in the regions
In outskirts of Moscow
For the regions of the Moscow region, you should take into account all the parameters of the apple tree, which has abundant fruiting and a long life in these climatic conditions.
The weather in the Moscow region, both in winter and in summer, has a difference in temperature. Not every apple tree variety can cope with such weather conditions. The Dream variety was bred for these regions.
This species, with proper watering in dry summers and insulation of the rhizomes for the winter, is able to bear fruit regularly.
In the Urals
In total, several thousand varieties of apple trees have been bred using the selection method, but no more than 100 of them are suitable for the Urals.
The most popular is the Dream apple tree.
This is an early ripening plant that begins to bear fruit in late summer.
In Siberia
In Siberia, with severe frosts and rather infertile soil, small-fruited varieties of apple trees and semi-cultivars are usually grown.
The selection variety Mechta takes root and bears fruit abundantly as a creeping variety .
This variety, if properly cared for, does not freeze out during prolonged frosts, and although there is a periodicity in fruiting, the fruits have their own beneficial properties.
In North-West Russia
For the North-Western regions, the dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstock of the Mechta apple tree is most suitable .
As a rule, these are resistant crops for cold and little snow winters . They begin to bear fruit in the 2nd year of life.
This species is valued in these regions for its ease of care and the taste of the fruit.
Important to note! These crops begin to bear fruit only in the 8th year of life.
Apple tree pruning
Proper pruning will allow the tree to develop well and bear fruit abundantly. In addition, such a procedure significantly increases immunity. The first pruning is carried out on annual trees. The branches and trunk are shortened by 1/3. This is done in the spring, just before the buds open.
If you decide to completely remove the branch, then you need to trim it near the trunk itself.
The crown must be thinned annually. You should not remove many branches in one approach. This can have a negative impact on the apple tree. Also in the spring, all deformed and new shoots that thicken the crown are removed. This should not be allowed, since too many branches reduces the yield.
