Apple Tree Złotka Kwidzyńska - Malus domestica

Choose a sunny spot for your 'Złotka Kwidzyńska' Apple tree. The soil can be slightly chalky or acidic, but not excessively so. Dig a wide planting hole at least 3 times the volume of the root ball. Simultaneously add organic matter (compost, potting mix...) and a base fertiliser like ground horn. Do not bury the graft union. Stake if necessary. For apple trees planted in isolation and exposed to wind, 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 frost periods. Container-grown plants 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 and install nest boxes or insect hotels to attract beneficial wildlife. In short: prioritise diversity. The main diseases affecting Apple trees are scab (brown spots on leaves), brown rot (withering of flowers and fruit rot on the tree) and powdery mildew (white felting on 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. Regarding pests, the codling moth (or fruit worm), a small caterpillar from a moth’s eggs, burrows into the fruit. To combat this, preventive action is best by encouraging blue tits and bats with nest boxes. For aphid infestations, spray a solution based on black soap.

During harvest in September-October, only keep picked fruits. For optimal storage, place apples with their stalk end downwards in crates or boxes. Choose a preferably completely dark, dry, and cool location, but frost-free.