Crabapple Jelly King Malus Jelly King = 'Mattfru'
![crab apple [Jelly King]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b55e280b4b.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
Malus Jelly King, commonly known as Crabapple 'Mattfru', is an ornamental tree known for its distinctive and attractive features. The appearance of this plant is marked by a lush foliage of green leaves that may have a glossy surface, creating a vibrant backdrop for its blossoms. During the blooming season, the Crabapple 'Mattfru' produces an abundance of flowers that are typically pink or white in color, offering a spectacular display that can add ornamental value to any garden. The flowers are often arranged in clusters, contributing to the tree's decorative appearance. As the flowering season ends, the Crabapple 'Mattfru' bears fruit that may be small in size and can vary in color from red to yellow, depending on the specific variety and maturity of the fruit. These fruits, known as crabapples, are a distinguishing feature of this type of tree and can persist on the branches, providing visual interest even after the leaves have fallen. Throughout the changing seasons, the appearance of the Crabapple 'Mattfru' can evolve, offering a range of visual interest from the fresh green leaves of spring to the vibrant blooms of early summer, followed by the colorful fruits that can last into late autumn. The color of the leaves may also change with the seasons, transitioning to shades of yellow, orange, or red before they fall off as winter approaches, completing the plant's annual cycle. The branching structure of the Crabapple 'Mattfru' can create an attractive silhouette in the winter landscape, even when the tree is devoid of leaves.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Jelly King Crabapple, Mattfru Crabapple
Common names
Malus domestica 'Mattfru'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Malus 'Jelly King' or more commonly known as the Crabapple, is not considered toxic to humans. The fruit is edible and is often used in making jellies and preserves. However, as with many fruit trees, the seeds, leaves, and stems of the crabapple contain cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when digested. Ingesting a large quantity of seeds could potentially lead to cyanide poisoning, with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and potentially more severe symptoms like seizures, coma, or even death in extreme cases. However, accidental poisoning is rare since a significant amount of seeds would need to be chewed and ingested to cause harm.
To pets
The Crabapple, which is the common name for Malus 'Jelly King', is also not typically toxic to pets. As with humans, the fruit itself is safe for animals to eat in moderation. However, the seeds, leaves, and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides and can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning in pets are similar to those in humans, including drooling, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and shock. In severe cases, ingestion of cyanogenic parts of the plant could be fatal. It is generally advised to prevent pets from eating large amounts of seeds or other parts of the tree to avoid the risk of toxicity.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
12-15 feet (3.6-4.6 meters)
Spread
12-15 feet (3.6-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its attractive blossoms and foliage.
- Fruit Production: Produces edible fruits that can be used in various culinary dishes.
- Pollinator Attraction: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Shade Provider: Can offer shade in garden spaces or patios once mature.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers visual interest throughout the seasons with changing foliage and fruit.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Provides shelter and food for birds and other wildlife.
- Privacy Screen: When planted in rows, can act as a natural privacy barrier.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Material: Branches from the Crabapple tree can be used in floral arrangements or wreath making, adding a natural and rustic touch to decor.
- Natural Dye: The fruit can be boiled to extract natural dyes for fabrics, yielding colors that range from yellow to pink, depending on the mordant used.
- Photography Subject: Crabapple trees are photogenic, especially when in full bloom or laden with fruit, and can serve as an inspiring subject for photographers.
- Wildlife Habitat: These trees provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and can also serve as a food source for various animals when other resources are scarce.
- Ink Production: Juice from the berries can be concentrated and mixed with other natural ingredients to create inks for writing or drawing.
- Education: Crabapple trees can be used in schools or educational programs to teach students about plant biology, lifecycle, and the importance of bees in pollination.
- Festive Decorations: Small crabapples can be strung together to make natural and biodegradable holiday decorations, such as garlands or Christmas tree ornaments.
- Erosion Control: Their root systems help stabilize the soil, making Crabapple trees useful in landscapes that are prone to erosion.
- Culinary Experiments: Although not a common practice, crabapple pectin can be used in molecular gastronomy as a gelling agent for creating innovative dishes.
- Woodworking: The wood from Crabapple trees can be used for small woodworking projects, such as carving utensils, due to its fine grain and workability.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crabapple is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crabapple is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: Malus, commonly known as crabapple, often symbolizes beauty due to its attractive blossoms that adorn the trees in spring.
- Love: The crabapple tree's fragrant flowers, especially pink ones, are sometimes associated with love and affection.
- Renewal: As a tree that blooms extensively in spring, crabapples are emblematic of renewal and the start of new beginnings.
- Peace: The crabapple tree can represent peace, as its gentle blossoms bring a calming effect to any environment.
- Good fortune: In some cultures, crabapple blossoms are believed to bring good fortune and are a sign of prosperity.
WaterThe Jelly King Crabapple should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for younger trees and 2 to 3 gallons for established ones. During the growing season, you may need to water more frequently, especially if the weather is particularly hot and dry. It's essential to ensure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. In winter, reduce watering, but do not allow the soil to become completely dry. Adjust the amount of water according to the weather conditions, more in hot, dry periods, and less during rainy seasons or cooler weather.
LightThe Jelly King Crabapple thrives in full sun, so it should be planted in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The more sunshine it gets, the better it will flower and produce fruit. Avoid planting it in a spot that is shaded for most of the day, as this can affect its growth and fruiting potential.
TemperatureThe Jelly King Crabapple is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, surviving minimum temperatures down to around -20°F. The ideal temperature for this tree is between 60°F and 75°F. It is quite adaptable but may struggle with temperature extremes on either side, especially heat above 90°F for prolonged periods.
PruningPrune the Jelly King Crabapple to remove any dead, diseased, or crossed branches and to shape the tree, ideally during the dormant season in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning helps maintain an open canopy, which encourages healthy growth and better fruit production. Depending on the tree's growth rate, a light pruning might be needed every year, with a more thorough prune every 2 to 3 years to maintain shape and health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCrabapple 'Jelly King' thrives in well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix containing garden soil, compost, and peat moss will provide the necessary nutrients and structure for healthy growth.
RepottingCrabapple 'Jelly King' trees planted in containers may need repotting every 2 to 3 years to ensure they have enough room to grow and sufficient nutrients, but in-ground trees do not need repotting.
Humidity & MistingCrabapple 'Jelly King' is adaptable to a wide range of outdoor humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions to thrive.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal for indoor growing; requires full sun.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensure well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Crabapple Jelly King ('Mattfru') starts its life cycle from a stratified seed or a grafted cutting. After germination or successful grafting, the plant enters a juvenile vegetative stage, where it focuses on leaf and root development. As it matures, it transitions into the adult stage, exhibiting vigorous growth and the development of a sturdy trunk and branching structure. It then reaches the flowering stage, where blossoms appear in spring, typically followed by pollination and fruit set if appropriate pollinating partners are available. The fruiting stage sees the development of the characteristic small crabapples which, once ripe, can be harvested in late summer to autumn. Finally, the tree enters a period of dormancy during the cold winter months, shedding leaves and preserving energy for the next growth cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
The Malus Jelly King, also known as 'Mattfru', is commonly propagated using grafting techniques, with the most popular method being bench grafting. This method is typically done in late winter or early spring before the rootstock and scion wood break dormancy. In bench grafting, a suitable rootstock is selected, which will determine the size and vigor of the resulting Jelly King apple tree. The rootstock is carefully cut to create a fresh, smooth surface. A scion, which is a short piece of last year's growth from a healthy Jelly King apple tree, is then selected and shaped to match the cut on the rootstock. Both the rootstock and the scion are then joined by aligning the cambium layers, which is the layer of cells between the wood and bark. The graft is then secured with grafting tape or a similar material and placed in a suitable environment to heal and grow, which may include a grafting bed with controlled temperature and humidity.
