Apple Tree Truskawkowe Nietschnera - Malus domestica

Choose a sunny spot for your 'Truskawkowe Nietschnera' Apple Tree. The soil can be slightly chalky or acidic, but not excessively so. Dig a wide planting hole at least 3 times the size of the root ball. Add organic matter (compost, potting mix...) and a base fertiliser such as ground horn at the same time. Do not bury the graft union. Stake if necessary. For apple trees planted in isolation and exposed to strong winds, it may be beneficial to stake them using a guy-wire system: plant 3 stakes in a triangle 50 cm around the trunk, connect them with pieces of wood. Protect the bark with a piece of rubber, for example, and attach the stakes to the trunk with metal wires. Water generously, even in winter, even if it rains. Fruit trees are best planted between October and March, outside of frost periods. Plants supplied in containers can be planted all year round, except during periods of extreme heat or frost.

In winter, at the base of the tree and lightly incorporated into the surface of the soil, you can add a small spadeful of wood ash, rich in potash, to improve fruiting. Apple trees can be susceptible to various diseases and pests. To minimise risks, space trees sufficiently, plant mixed-species hedges, install nest boxes or insect hotels to attract beneficial insects. In short: encourage diversity. The main diseases affecting apple trees are scab (brown spots on the leaves), brown rot (withering of flowers and rotting of fruit on the tree) and powdery mildew (white felting on the leaves). For these three cases, preventive action is preferable by spraying horsetail decoction; as a last resort and during severe attacks, a curative treatment with Bordeaux mixture can be applied. As for pests, the codling moth (or fruit worm) is a small caterpillar, hatched from a butterfly's eggs, which burrows into the fruit. To remedy this, it is best to act preventively by encouraging the presence of birds and bats through the installation of nest boxes. In case of aphid infestation, spray a solution based on black soap.

During the harvest in September-October, only keep picked fruit. For optimal storage, it is advisable to place the apples with their stalk facing downwards, in crates or trays. 
Apples should be stored in a cool, clean place, away from light, at a temperature of around 8 to 10°C, or in a cold room at 1 to 3°C. Apples release ethylene, a gas that promotes fruit ripening. To speed up the ripening of other fruits or vegetables, mix them with apples.