Description of the columnar apple tree of the early summer variety Dialogue

Description of the variety

The description of the fruit of this apple variety deserves special attention: they are small (70–100 g), flat apples with bright yellow skin, sweet and juicy. The flesh is white and firm. The skin on the Dialog variety is thin but strong enough to reliably protect the flesh. Trees of this variety grow to a medium size and compact size. If properly cared for, they can produce a rewarding harvest in the first year after planting.

The root system of this variety of apple trees is close to the soil surface, so when caring for them, it is strictly recommended not to loosen or compact the soil around them. Dialog prefers organic fertilizers – use urea, compost, or diluted chicken manure. The Dialog columnar apple tree thrives on water: it needs regular drip irrigation, not just watering. If you care for these apple trees properly, they don't require pruning. However, to ensure the tree develops a strong trunk, a side branch should be pruned back to two buds in the first year after planting.

When planting such trees, you can adhere to the standard scheme: the distance between rows is maintained at about 1 m, and between seedlings at about 50 cm.

When it comes to planting hole depth, it should be determined based on the development and spread of the root system in each specific case. Given the record-breaking onset of fruiting and regular, abundant harvests, such trees quickly become depleted: after fifteen years, they need to be replaced with young seedlings.

Main characteristics

• the fruits are small, of an original flat shape, with thin yellow skin and white juicy pulp;
• the taste is sweet, with a pronounced sourness;
• trees of this variety bear fruit early – already in the second half of July;
• Apples do not have a long shelf life – as a rule, they should be used within 1 month of harvesting;
• The yield characteristics are enviable – each small tree can produce up to 15 kg of apples;
• the variety is frost-resistant and immune to a number of diseases;
• the taste rating of the fruits is high – 4.8 points on a 5-point scale;
• Pollinators are required on the site: the variety is self-sterile, so other apple trees must be growing near the Dialog to obtain a harvest.

Pros and cons

Those who have once tried their hand at growing columnar apple trees will undoubtedly appreciate the advantages of Dialogue:

• the compactness of the trees, which means there is no need to use additional equipment for harvesting;
• unpretentiousness of apple trees - the variety is considered frost-resistant;
• the trees are immune to most diseases and are rarely attacked by pests;
• early maturity – apples are ready for harvesting already in mid-summer;
• early fruit bearing – most trees bear fruit in the second year of life, and sometimes even in the first.

But these fruit trees also have their drawbacks. The first and foremost is the high cost of seedlings for all columnar apple trees, including the Dialog variety. Furthermore, these trees don't live long, only about 15 years, so if you want to rejuvenate your garden, you'll have to spend more. Another consideration is watering: Dialogs can't be watered at the roots due to their shallow location; sprinkler irrigation is used exclusively.

And lastly, the shelf life of the harvested crop: it is very, very modest. These delicious and unusual apples will only last about a month, and it's unlikely they'll last much longer. Of course, you won't be able to reap a huge harvest from a small columnar apple tree, but you can easily get fifteen kilograms, enough for yourself and your friends to enjoy. Be sure to try growing this little apple tree in your own garden; we're sure you'll be pleased with the results.

Video "Columnar Apple Trees"

In this video you will hear useful tips on caring for canopy apple trees.