Apple 'Michaelmas Red' Malus domestica 'Michaelmas Red' (D)

Water

The common name for Malus domestica 'Michaelmas Red' is an apple tree, and it should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root growth. Young apple trees need watering once a week with about 5 gallons of water, while established trees may require watering every two weeks during dry spells. It's important not to waterlog the soil, so let it dry out somewhat between waterings. In the growing season, especially during fruit development, you may need to increase the frequency to ensure the soil stays consistently moist but never soggy. Reduce watering in the late autumn to prepare the tree for winter.

Light

Apple trees, including the 'Michaelmas Red' variety, thrive in full sunlight. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. The best spot for planting an apple tree is in a location where it is not shadowed by taller structures or trees, ensuring it gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day for optimal growth and fruit production.

Temperature

Apple trees like 'Michaelmas Red' prefer moderate temperatures and can survive a range of conditions. They can withstand winter temperatures as low as -20°F and summer temperatures up to 90°F. The ideal temperature range for promoting growth and fruiting is between 60°F and 75°F. Apple trees require a certain number of chill hours, below 45°F, in the winter to break dormancy and stimulate spring flowering.

Pruning

Pruning apple trees, such as the 'Michaelmas Red', should be conducted to remove dead or diseased wood, to shape the tree, and to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy which helps in fruit ripening. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Apple trees should be pruned annually to maintain tree health and to encourage the production of high-quality fruit.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Apple trees like 'Michaelmas Red' prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. For optimal growth, use a mix of garden soil, compost, and peat moss to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Apple trees such as 'Michaelmas Red' are typically not repotted as they are grown outdoors; instead, they are transplanted when young and then left to grow in the ground.

Humidity & Misting

Apple trees, including the 'Michaelmas Red' variety, are adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions to thrive outdoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Growing 'Michaelmas Red' indoors is not practical due to size.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, water regularly, and prune.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of the 'Michaelmas Red' apple tree (Malus domestica 'Michaelmas Red') begins with seed germination, when the seeds of the mature fruit find a suitable environment and start to sprout. The sprouted seedling then grows into a juvenile sapling, establishing its root system and beginning to form its initial branches and leaves. As it matures, the sapling enters the vegetative stage, where it continues to grow in size and strength, developing a sturdy trunk and extensive branch structure. The tree eventually reaches the reproductive stage, where it produces blossoms that, if pollinated, will set fruit. After the blossoms are pollinated, usually by bees or other insects, they develop into apples, which mature over the summer and are typically harvested in the early fall when they're ripe. Finally, during the dormant stage in winter, the tree's growth slows down, conserving energy for the next growing season, completing a full cycle with the potential for further seed production and the continuation of the species.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late winter - early spring

• Malus domestica 'Michaelmas Red', commonly known as the apple tree, is typically propagated by grafting, which is by far the most popular method for this type of fruit tree. This technique involves taking a piece of stem with leaf buds from the 'Michaelmas Red' apple tree, called a scion, and attaching it to the rootstock of another apple variety that provides desirable characteristics like disease resistance or hardiness. The best time to graft apple trees is in late winter or early spring before the sap starts to flow. The scion is usually grafted onto the rootstock using a method such as the whip-and-tongue graft, which involves making matching cuts on both the scion and the rootstock to unite them snugly, ensuring that the cambium layers of both are in contact. The graft union is then securely wrapped and sealed to prevent drying out and to promote successful healing and fusion of the two pieces.