Malus Everest: main features and care
One apple tree variety used particularly in bonsai due to its decorative style is Malus Everest. This is an intriguing type of apple tree that can be had as a mini tree or as a normal tree. But what is it like? What care do you need?
If you want to learn more about Malus everest and the care it would require if you had one (whether as a bonsai, as a potted fruit tree, or in the garden), take a look at what we have prepared for you.
How’s Malus Everest?
Known as the false apple tree, Malus everest is one of the varieties of fruit trees whose purpose is not so much production, but decorative style. It is a tree that can easily reach six or eight meters in length. It has the shape of a flared fan or a wide pyramid that can reach six meters in width.
As for the leaves, they are murky green. It is a deciduous tree, each leaf can be from eight to twelve centimeters long. Indeed, Since they are deciduous plants, it is normal for them to turn orange-yellow in the fall before falling off..
Apart from the leaves, the flowers attract the most attention. They usually appear in mid-spring and are petite, white flowers, quite numerous, with red buds. After them will come the fruit, petite, slightly flattened apple balls that are usually red, but may be green or even yellow.. Of course, it is normal that these apples, which can be about two or two and a half centimeters in diameter, are used more for making jam than for direct consumption.
The thing is that these apples are quite piercing and tart, so only those who like such a powerful flavor would eat them.
We cannot say that this will ensure ample apple production, but you will have a few each year, and you will harvest them around the fall.
Malus Everest care
Now that you know Malus Everest a little better, it’s time to get into practice. That is, to give you advice so that you can take care of it at home. It doesn’t matter whether you have it in a pot, on a bonsai, or planted directly in the ground. Care, except for peculiarities, will be the same. And what are they? We’re telling you.
location and temperature
The first thing you need to know is where to place your Malus Everest. And that will depend on how you have it. If it is in a pot, it can be placed near a balcony, terrace, patio… We recommend partial exposure, i.e. partial shade, because it is a tree that does not tolerate sun (or heat) very well. This is why, To plant it in the garden, it is best to place it in a partially shaded place. If you make sure there is direct sunlight in the morning and evening, this will be more than enough.
Now, if the climate you are in is usually chilly and the sun doesn’t get too heated, you might encourage yourself to place it in full sun.
When it comes to temperature, the truth is that unlike other plants, it is very resistant to frost down to -20°C. But the heat doesn’t handle it very well, especially when it’s too heated (you can keep the tree and leave the fruit half-finished before throwing it away).
Subsoil
When it comes to soil, Malus Everest is a tree that needs soil that is affluent in nutrients and resistant to moisture. Therefore, we recommend making a mixture with peat, universal substrate, sand and other drainage, e.g. perlite or similar. Also, when planting or transplanting, add some mineral fertilizer to support it take root much faster.
You will need to replant it about every two years, whenever winter ends and summer begins. And if possible, before it starts germinating.
Irrigation
Irrigation is one of the most critical care activities for this plant. If taken into account, if you go too far you will make a puddle and there will be a greater chance of mushrooms appearing that can make you unwell or, worse, kill you. And if you water too little, the tree will stagnate and may die (besides, it will not bloom well or bear fruit).
For this reason and depending on the environment and climate… you will need to ensure adequate irrigation. But in general we can say that in summer it is usually watered two to three times a week (more if it is very heated) and once or twice in winter.
Of course, when it comes to doing this, If possible, avoid water falling on the flowers because the only thing that can be achieved is that they rot.
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Malus Everest is fertilized only from spring to autumn. Two types can be used: on the one hand, liquid with irrigation water; and on the other hand, long-lasting (at the beginning of spring and forgotten about until the following year).
Now everything will depend on what kind of tree you have, whether it is larger or smaller.
Plagues and diseases
Although this plant is quite resistant to pests that usually attack apple trees, you should not rest on your laurels, as they may attack it. First of all, what will affect you most is not pests, but diseases, especially scabies and mold. If they affect you, the best thing you can do is treat them as quickly as possible and prevent them if there are other people around you.
Multiplication
We end with the propagation of Malus Everest. You have two ways to do this:
- Through seeds. It will take some time to sprout and grow, but you will be able to see the evolution of the tree because it was born from one of them.
- Through seedlings. It is slightly faster, but not for everyone. You need to know how to do it and be patient so that it takes root and grows without dying along the way.
As you can see, having Malus Everest at home is not that complicated. You just need to follow the care needed. Do you have any doubts? Would you have it in your garden?