Crabapple (Malus spectabilis) Cultivation Techniques, Varieties and Propagation Methods
Crabapple, also known as Haitang or Pear-blossom Crabapple, is a deciduous small tree in the rose family (Rosaceae). It can reach 7-8 m in height. The flowers are usually clustered several together; the buds are red, turning pink when fully open, very showy, 4-5 cm in diameter. The flowering period is April to May.
Crabapple originates from China. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu and other provinces. It is cultivated even more widely in gardens everywhere. It prefers full sunlight, dislikes waterlogging, is drought-tolerant and cold-tolerant.
The varieties, forms and cultivars of crabapple are as follows:
[Xifu Crabapple] Also known as Red Crabapple. Leaves broad, flowers large, pink, double.
[White Crabapple] Also known as Double White Crabapple. Flowers double, white or with a pale pink blush.
[Weeping Crabapple] Flower colors include pink and red. Because the flower stalks are slender and drooping, it is named Weeping Crabapple. There are two varieties.
White-flowered Weeping Crabapple: flowers white.
Double-flowered Weeping Crabapple: flowers pink, double.
Commonly used propagation methods include sowing, grafting, layering, root cuttings and division. Grafting is the main method.
[Sowing] The sowing method is the same as for other tree species in the rose family. A large number of seedling plants can be obtained, but it is not easy to preserve the good characteristics of the mother plant, and flowering is relatively late, generally taking 7-8 years before flowering.
[Grafting] There are two methods: bud grafting and stem grafting. Rootstocks used include Malus baccata, seedling crabapple, Chinese pearleaf crabapple, Pyrus betulifolia, sand apple, apple, Malus prunifolia, wild crabapple, etc. Stem grafting (cut grafting, cleft grafting) is carried out within 10 days before and after Yushui (Rain Water, the second solar term). Bud grafting is carried out in August.
[Layering] Carried out in early spring before sprouting. Crabapple produces many suckers; bend the sprouted shoots from the root crown into the soil, cut the bark where it enters the soil, and roots will form after one year. Keep the soil moist at all times, and in the following spring remove them with some roots and transplant.
[Root Cuttings] Carried out in early spring, February to March. Done together with division and transplanting; select healthy roots 0.5-1.0 cm in diameter, cut into 10-15 cm cuttings, and insert them into the seedbed. Keep moist and shaded at all times. The survival rate is over 85%.
[Division] The same as the general division method.
The planting soil should be loose, fertile and well-drained. Every autumn, mound up soil and fertilizer around the base. In spring, prune dead and weak branches and diseased branches, and maintain a tree shape that is well-ventilated and well-lit, attractive, and that balances nutrition. Fertilize and water once in early spring, and water thoroughly before and after flowering. Watch out for damage from aphids, scarab beetles, red spider mites, carpenter moths, longhorn beetles, etc. Dimethoate 4096 diluted 1000-1500 times with water can be sprayed to kill aphids, scarab beetles and red spider mites. For carpenter moths and longhorn beetles, it is necessary to strictly prevent their larvae from boring into the branches and trunk; after finding wormholes, inject dichlorvos into the holes, then seal them with mud to fumigate the pests to death.
Crabapples have abundant blooms and brilliant flower colors; in spring the flowers cluster like brocade, glowing in the sunlight, and in autumn red fruits dot the branches, extraordinarily fresh and charming. They have a unique grace among garden trees and flowers. Therefore they are one of China's famous garden trees and flowers. They can be used as street trees along quiet paths, around pavilions and terraces, at the edges of groves and lawns, beside buildings, by rivers and ponds, and can be planted singly or in groups. As potted plants and cut flowers they are also very beautiful. They are sensitive to chlorine and hydrogen chloride, so they can be used as a pollution-monitoring tree species.
What kinds of crabapple are there? How should they be propagated?
Crabapple, also known as Haitang or Pear-blossom Crabapple, is a deciduous small tree in the rose family (Rosaceae). It can reach 7-8 m in height. The flowers are usually clustered several together; the buds are red, turning pink when fully open, very showy, 4-5 cm in diameter. The flowering period is April to May.
The varieties, forms and cultivars of crabapple are as follows:
[Xifu Crabapple] Also known as Red Crabapple. Leaves broad, flowers large, pink, double.
[White Crabapple] Also known as Double White Crabapple. Flowers double, white or with a pale pink blush.
[Weeping Crabapple] Flower colors include pink and red. Because the flower stalks are slender and drooping, it is named Weeping Crabapple. There are two varieties.
[White-flowered Weeping Crabapple] Flowers white.
[Double-flowered Weeping Crabapple] Flowers pink, double.
Crabapples have abundant blooms and brilliant flower colors; in spring the flowers cluster like brocade, glowing in the sunlight, and in autumn red fruits dot the branches, extraordinarily fresh and charming. They have a unique grace among garden trees and flowers. Therefore they are one of China's famous garden trees and flowers. They can be used as street trees along quiet paths, around pavilions and terraces, at the edges of groves and lawns, beside buildings, by rivers and ponds, and can be planted singly or in groups. As potted plants and cut flowers they are also very beautiful. They are sensitive to chlorine and hydrogen chloride, so they can be used as a pollution-monitoring tree species.
Commonly used propagation methods include sowing, grafting, layering, root cuttings and division. Grafting is the main method.
1. Sowing The sowing method is the same as for other tree species in the rose family. A large number of seedling plants can be obtained, but it is not easy to preserve the good characteristics of the mother plant, and flowering is relatively late, generally taking 7-8 years before flowering.
2. Grafting There are two methods: bud grafting and stem grafting. Rootstocks used include Malus baccata, seedling crabapple, Chinese pearleaf crabapple, Pyrus betulifolia, sand apple, apple, Malus prunifolia, wild crabapple, etc. Stem grafting (cut grafting, cleft grafting) is carried out within 10 days before and after Yushui (Rain Water, the second solar term). Bud grafting is carried out in August.
3. Layering Carried out in early spring before sprouting. Crabapple produces many suckers; bend the sprouted shoots from the root crown into the soil, cut the bark where it enters the soil, and roots will form after one year. Keep the soil moist at all times, and in the following spring remove them with some roots and transplant.
4. Root Cuttings Carried out in early spring, February to March. Done together with division and transplanting; select healthy roots 0.5-1.0 cm in diameter, cut into 10-15 cm cuttings, and insert them into the seedbed. Keep moist and shaded at all times. The survival rate is over 85%.
5. Division The same as the general division method.
The planting soil should be loose, fertile and well-drained. Every autumn, mound up soil and fertilizer around the base. In spring, prune dead and weak branches and diseased branches, and maintain a tree shape that is well-ventilated and well-lit, attractive, and that balances nutrition. Fertilize and water once in early spring, and water thoroughly before and after flowering. Watch out for damage from aphids, scarab beetles, red spider mites, carpenter moths, longhorn beetles, etc. Dimethoate 4096 diluted 1000-1500 times with water can be sprayed to kill aphids, scarab beetles and red spider mites. For carpenter moths and longhorn beetles, it is necessary to strictly prevent their larvae from boring into the branches and trunk; after finding wormholes, inject dichlorvos into the holes, then seal them with mud to fumigate the pests to death.
What kinds of crabapple are there? An introduction to crabapple cultivation methods
Since ancient times, crabapple has been a favorite subject of scholars and writers, and it appears in many literary works and poems. The great writer Su Dongpo was captivated by it, with the famous line "I only fear that in the deep of night the flower will fall asleep, so I burn a tall candle to light her red makeup." Thus crabapple has the elegant name "Jieyuhua" (the flower that understands speech). Crabapple also has high ornamental value; it has long enjoyed the reputation of "national beauty." Below, let us take a closer look at the types of crabapple and an introduction to cultivation methods!
Types of Crabapple
The genus Malus has 35 species in total, mostly native to warm temperate to cold temperate zones. China has about 20 or more species and is the distribution center of the genus Malus.
What people usually call crabapple refers to a flowering tree of the genus Malus in the rose family, up to 8 m tall, a tree with an oval crown, often shrubby. Leaves elliptical to long elliptical, 5 to 8 cm long, with fine, closely appressed marginal teeth, petiole 1.5-2 cm long. The inflorescence is nearly umbel-like, with 4-6 flowers, pedicels 2-3 cm long, petals ovate, pink in bud, white after opening. The fruit is nearly spherical and slightly flattened, yellow when ripe, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, stalk 3-4 cm long, both the stalk cavity and calyx cavity raised, calyx often persistent. Crabapple has two varieties: white-flowered double crabapple, with white double flowers; red-flowered double crabapple, with deep pink double flowers.
Types of Crabapple
For cultivating crabapple, it can be propagated and raised by sowing, division and grafting. Generally the sowing season for crabapple is autumn sowing, though spring sowing is also possible. Crabapple grows very slowly, and it takes about 5 years from planting to flowering. Crabapple is a very cold-tolerant plant, because when grown in the south, crabapple can be placed outdoors entirely. Crabapple generally flowers once a year, in spring.
Crabapple Cultivation Methods
In planting crabapple, another thing to note is water control. The soil for growing crabapple should be kept moist at all times. In dry seasons, sprinkling water can be used for irrigation to increase air humidity. Be careful that potted crabapple does not accumulate too much water, otherwise it will cause the roots of the crabapple to rot. For fertilizing crabapple, note that fertilizer should not splash onto the leaves, and also note that crabapple should not be fertilized during its flowering period or in summer.
Some people call crabapple the "heartbreak flower," expressing the sorrow of parting. Crabapple also expresses the homesickness of travelers and the sadness of separation, and thus the flower language of crabapple carries a sense of "bitter love."