Apfel

WO  liegen die WURZELN unseres KULTURAPFELS, den wir kurz einfach als  APFEL  bezeichnen?

Wie neueste Gen-Untersuchungen belegen, ist der europäische Holzapfel nicht die Stammform unseres Kulturapfels. Man geht heute davon aus, dass der Kulturapfel direkt vom Asiatischen Wildapfel (Malus sieversii)  – gegebenenfalls mit Einkreuzung des Kaukasusapfels (Malus orientalis) abstammt. Alle diese Apfelarten hybridisieren (kreuzen sich) untereinander, so wie sich der Holzapfel in grauer Vorzeit sogar mit einer anderen Gattung der Rosengewächse, mit der Elsbeere, gekreuzt hat und den „Weißdornblättrigen Apfel“ (× Malosorbus florentina, Syn. Malus florentina) hervorbrachte.  (Quelle)

Mit den Römern kam der Kulturapfel in die Länder nördlich der Alpen und blieb bis in die Neuzeit ein Luxusobjekt der Oberschicht. Er stand in dem Ruf, lebensverlängernd zu wirken.

Nannte der römische Offizier,  Wissenschaftler, Schriftsteller Plinius der Ältere in seiner Naturalis historis 36 Apfelsorten, gibt es heute ca. 25.000 !

 

SORTEN  FÜR  DEN  HAUSGARTEN

Aus der Fülle der Apfelsorten hat WILDFIND einige herausgegriffen, die sich für einen Anbau im Hausgarten besonders bewährt haben und immer noch bewähren. Sie finden Sie weiter unten aufgelistet!

 

INHALTSSTOFFE  VON  ÄPFELN

Äpfel enthalten Mineralstoffe (vor allem Kalium, Calcium, Magnesium), Vitamin C, Ballaststoffe, Fruchtzucker, Fruchtsäure, weitere gesunde sekundäre Pflanzenstoffe und Wasser, aus dem sie zu 85% bestehen. Letzteres beschert ihnen zu ihrem Genusswert und gesundheitlichen Wert einen geringen Kaloriengehalt!

 

FRUCHTAUSDÜNNUNG

Es ist ratsam, bei zu dichtem Fruchtansatz eine Fruchtausdünnung durchzuführen. Zu viele Früchte am Baum führen zu kleinen, schwach aromatischen Früchten und zu Astbruch! Wie bei einer Fruchtausdünnung vorgegangen wird, ist  h i e r  beschrieben.

 

APFELERNTE  und  LAGERUNG  DER  ÄPFEL

Wissenswertes zur Ernte und Lagerung der Äpfel finden Sie hier!

 

SCHNITT  DER  APFELBÄUME  

Der Schnitt der Apfelbäume wird auf WILDFIND kurz und treffend erklärt. Für kleine und große Bäume werden neben Schnitt-Basiswissen Schnitttechniken vermittelt für:

• Pyramidenkrone
• Hohlkrone
• Spindel
• Säulenobst (Zwergobst), Obsthecke
• Wandspalier, freistehendes Spalier, Obsthecke

Jeder gepflegte Apfelbaum, gleich in welcher Baumform er gezogen wird und welche Krone er hat, erhält, seinem Alter entsprechend, einen Spezialschnitt:

• Pflanzschnitt
• Aufbauschnitt (= Erziehungsschnitt)
• Erhaltungsschnitt
• Verjüngungsschnitt.

 

Der Einstieg zu allen Schnittangaben erfolgt hier!

 

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils, though if these are poorly drained there could be problems with diseases such as canker. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation. Tolerates a pH range from 6 to 7, preferring a range of 6.5 to 6.8. The apple is one of the most commonly cultivated fruit crops in the temperate zone. The primary climatic requirements for the production of good quality fruit are warm summer temperatures, relative freedom from spring frosts, reasonable protection from the wind (especially cold north and east winds) and an evenly distributed rainfall of about 600 - 800mm per annum. Good apple production has been achieved as far north as 65°, whilst about 1000 hours of winter temperatures below 7°c are necessary to initiate flower production. However good quality apples can still be produced in other areas with careful management and choice of cultivars. Even in tropical latitudes, the plant has succeeded at high elevations, producing fruit at elevations over 3000 metres in Ecuador for example. Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, apples can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall, an east facing wall will suit many of the tougher cultivars and even a north facing wall can be used for early culinary cultivars. A hybrid of mixed origins, including M. dasyphylla, M. praecox, M. pumila, M. sieversii and M. sylvestris, this species is very commonly cultivated in temperate areas for its edible fruit. There are very many named varieties and with careful choice of these varieties it is possible to provide freshly harvested fruit from July to December and stored fruit for the rest of the year. When chives (Allium schoenoprasum) or other alliums are grown under apple trees it can prevent or cure scab. A spray of the infused leaves of Equisetum spp can also be used against scab. If climbing nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are grown into the tree they can repel woolly aphis. Apples lose their flavour if they are stored with potatoes. They will also impart a bitter flavour to carrots or potatoes if they are stored in the same area. Growing apples near potatoes makes the potatoes more susceptible to blight. Wrapping maple leaves (Acer spp) around apples in store helps to preserve the apples. Apples store better if they are grown in a sward that contains a high percentage of clover. Apple trees grow better and produce better quality fruit when foxgloves (Digitalis spp) and wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri) are growing in the orchard. Dandelions (Taraxacum spp) produce ethylene gas and this can cause earlier ripening of fruit if plants are growing in an orchard. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Some Malus species are self-fertile, while others may require cross-pollination with another variety for a better fruit set. Apples generally have a moderate growth rate, often reaching maturity in 3 to 5 years, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Oil Edible Uses: Oil Oil Pectin Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use. Apples are one of the most common and widely grown fruits of the temperate zone. There are a great many named varieties with differing flavours ranging from sour to sweet and textures from dry and mealy to crisp and juicy. There is also a wide range in the seasons of ripening with the first fruits being ready in late July whilst other cultivars are not picked until late autumn and will store for 12 months or sometimes more. See individual records for more details. The fruit of some cultivars is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation. An edible oil can be obtained from the seed. It would only really be viable to use these seeds as an oil source if the fruit was being used for some purpose such as making cider and then the seeds could be extracted from the remaining pulp[K].

Lighting Oil Oil Pectin Teeth Wood Apples can be used as part of an agroforestry system. They provide fruit and shade, can serve as windbreaks, and attract beneficial insects. They can also be used as hedgerows. The fruit is a source of pectin. Pectin is used as a thickener in jams etc and as a culture medium in laboratories. The apple is also an excellent dentifrice, the mechanical action of eating a fruit serving to clean both the teeth and the gums. The oil from the seed has been used as an illuminant. Wood - hard, compact, fine-grained. Used for turnery, tool handles, canes etc. It makes an excellent fuel. Espalier: tree or other plants that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall). 1. Nectary - flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes. 2. Wildlife - Food. Fruit and seeds. Leaf litter and detritus (for beneficial insects). Shelter - Dense foliage. Nesting and roosting - dense trees and shrubs: Yes. 3. Invertebrate Shelter. Overwintering sites (rough bark, hollow stems). Leaf litter. Groundcover: Yes. 4. Pest Confuser (smell): No.

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