Carmine Crab Apple MALUS ATROSANGUINEA GORGEOUS

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Product Description

MALUS ATROSANGUINEA GORGEOUS – Carmine Crab Apple

Characteristics

Selected for its usefulness in producing crab apple jelly, as it has a high pectin level, Malus Gorgeous is a small round headed tree with white flowers and quite large 5cm (2 ins) diameter dark red long lasting fruits.

Thought to be closely related to Malus Floribunda, it is a cross between Malus hallina (an old garden tree from China and Japan) and Malus sieboldii.

Where to grow

Crab apples grow best in fertile moist deep loamy soils.  They will do best with a little protection from exposure and wind if they are to flower and fruit well as they depend upon insect pollination.  They will not tolerate very wet or waterlogged soils.  If the ground is stony or nutrient poor add some compost to the backfill when planting.

Did you know?

Here is a good recipe for crab apple jelly

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 80 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes  

Makes:  6 x 500ml jars

Ingredients

4 kg crab apples,1 kg caster sugar,1 lemon, juiced

Method

Wash the apples, remove the blossom heads and cut out any bruised bits. Put in a saucepan, fill with water to cover the apples and bring to the boil. Simmer for 25 minutes until the fruit is soft. Pour the pulp into a jelly bag or several layers of muslin and let drip overnight into a pan beneath. Don’t squeeze the bag, it will cloud the jelly.

The next day, measure the juice, and combine with sugar at the ratio of 10 parts juice to 7 sugar. Add the lemon, then bring to the boil to dissolve the sugar. Keep at a rolling boil for 35–40 minutes, skimming off the froth regularly. To test, chill a dessertspoon in the fridge. When the jelly is set, it will solidify on the back of the spoon. Pour into warm, sterilised preserving jars and tightly seal while still slightly warm. Store in a cool dark place.

Features

Mature Height

Small - 5-10 metres

Spread

0-5 metres

Shape / Habit

Round Headed

Growth Rate

Medium

Soil Type

All soil types

Sun Levels

Full sun

Difficulty / Hard to Grow

Medium

Evergreen / Deciduous

Deciduous

Autumn Colour

Orange
Yellow

Leaf Colour

Green

Foliage

Early to Leaf
Small leaves

Flower Colour

White

Flowering Type

Single

Flowering Month

April
May

Berries / Fruit Colour

Red

Uses

Parkland Tree
Garden Tree
Small garden Tree
City/Urban Sites
Encourages wildlife
Bird Food
Bee Friendly

Scent

Scented Flowers

Peeling Bark

No

Thorny

No

Season

Autumn
Spring

Fruit Size

Large

Aftercare

For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.

Watering

The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.

Weed Control

One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.

  1. Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
  2. Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
  3. Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.

Staking

If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.

Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.

  • 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
  • 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
  • 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.

Ties

Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.

Protection from Animal Damage

Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.

Are the delivery costs the same no matter how many plants I order?

Yes the delivery costs are the same no matter how many plants you have on your order. They are worked out based on your distance from our nursery and can be found here.

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