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Apricot Black Velvet - a variety of hybrid black apricot - is an unusual variety in appearance with good botanical characteristics. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of this crop will allow the gardener to decide whether it is worth growing it on his plot.
History of selection
The Black Velvet hybrid is actually not quite an apricot. It was obtained by crossing the American black apricot and cherry plum. The slow pace of development in spring and the late flowering period, inherited from the latter, contribute to stable yields, since they naturally protect the tree from spring frosts. From apricot, Black Velvet adopted the taste and aroma of the fruit.
The credit for the birth of this variety belongs to G.V. Eremin and A.V. Isachkin, research workers at the Crimean Experimental Breeding Station VNIIR named after. N. I. Vavilova (Russia, Krasnodar region).The Black Velvet apricot variety was isolated by them in 1994.
In 2005 it was included in the State Register.
Description of culture
The description and photo of the Black Velvet apricot clearly explain why people like to call this hybrid “apricot soalycha.” The tree is characterized by medium height (no higher than 4 m), a rounded, slightly flattened crown of medium density.
Its leaves are medium-sized, rich green in color, have an elongated shape and pointed ends. The flowers are large, white or pale pink.
The fruits of this variety are multiple, but smaller than those of most ordinary apricots. Their average weight is 25–35 g, their shape is oval, with a sharp “nose” visible near the stalk. The skin is medium thick, slightly pubescent. In unripe fruits, it is green in color, then acquires a rich brown or dark purple color.
An interesting characteristic of the Black Velvet apricot variety is its unusual, two-colored fruit pulp. Near the seed it is bright yellow, but closer to the skin it turns pinkish.
The taste of the fruit is pleasant, sweet with noticeable sourness, slightly tart, with a bright aroma inherent to apricot. The bone is small. It separates from the dense, juicy, slightly fibrous pulp without much effort.
Initially, the variety was zoned in the North Caucasus region, but it grows quite successfully in central Russia, which has a temperate climate.
This video will help you get a general idea of black apricot:
Characteristics
Thanks to the painstaking work of breeders, the Black Velvet variety managed to embody many of the strong qualities of both apricot and cherry plum.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The indicators of winter hardiness and resistance to low temperatures are high in Black Barakhat - in this it is not inferior to frost-resistant varieties of cherry plum. The flowers of this variety of black apricot are practically not afraid of returning spring frosts.
Black Velvet's resistance to summer drought is lower than that of ordinary apricots.
The ideal conditions for a stable, regular harvest from a tree of this variety are a warm, sunny and low-wind summer.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Black Velvet belongs to the partially self-fertile apricot varieties. In order for the yield to be higher, it is recommended to plant potential pollinators near the tree that bloom at the same time:
- common apricot;
- plum (Russian or Chinese);
- thorn;
- cherry plum
Black Velvet blooms later than other apricot varieties. Its fruits ripen by the end of July (in the south) and at the beginning of August (in the middle zone).
Productivity, fruiting
Black Velvet has an average early maturity. It usually takes 3–4 years from planting a grafted seedling in the ground to harvesting the first fruits.
This variety is recognized as high-yielding: one tree can produce 50–60 kg of fruit per season. It bears fruit regularly, almost every year.
The Black Velvet harvest is excellently transported and stored.Slightly unripe fruits, placed in boxes in 2-3 rows in a well-ventilated cellar, are quite capable of lying there for 3-4 months.
Area of application of fruits
The purpose of the Black Velvet fruit is universal. They are eaten fresh, frozen for future use, and used in the preparation of sweet desserts. Jam and jam made from the fruits of this variety are distinguished by their excellent taste with tart notes and bright, rich color.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Black Velvet, like most dark-fruited apricot hybrids, has increased resistance to moniliosis, clasterosporiosis and cytosporosis, which traditionally affect stone fruit crops.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of Black Velvet apricot can be briefly described as follows:
Advantages | Weaknesses |
Increased winter hardiness and tolerance to return frosts | The taste is sour, slightly tart |
Small, compact tree | Relatively weak resistance to drought |
High and regular yield | Not very large fruits |
Excellent transportability and long shelf life of fruits |
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Universal table use |
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Resistance to fungal diseases |
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Landing Features
Growing Black Velvet apricots on a personal plot basically follows the same rules as those developed for ordinary varieties of apricots.
Recommended timing
The timing of planting Black Velvet in the ground depends on the type of seedling:
- bare-rooted plants are advised to be planted with the onset of spring;
- container - from early spring to mid-autumn.
Choosing a suitable location
The garden plot where the Black Velvet apricot will grow must have the following features:
- good lighting (ideally south facing);
- It is desirable to have a wall of an outbuilding nearby that can serve as a shelter from the wind;
- groundwater must lie at a depth of at least 1.5–2 m from the surface;
- light sandy loam or loamy soil with acidity close to neutral.
This variety does not tolerate well:
- placement in the shade;
- stagnation of water at the roots;
- heavy soils with a predominance of clay and sand.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
It should be remembered that apricot has a reputation for being an individualist and is quite whimsical in choosing neighboring plants.
He will react positively to things growing nearby:
- apricots of the same or other varieties;
- potential pollinators (cherry plum, sloe, some types of plums);
- dogwood.
The apricot will not like the close proximity:
- cherries;
- walnut;
- cherries;
- red rowan;
- apple trees;
- pears.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The best option for growing Black Velvet apricot in your own garden is to purchase a seedling at the age of 1–2 years from a specialized nursery.
Signs of a quality seedling:
- the plant is healthy and has an attractive appearance;
- bark without visible damage, dried or peeling areas;
- the root system is living, developed and elastic.
Immediately before planting, the branches of the seedling can be pruned.
Landing algorithm
Proper planting of Black Velvet apricot occurs in several stages:
- if there are several seedlings, you should maintain a distance between them (at least 4–5 m);
- the dimensions of the planting hole are 0.8 by 1 m, it is prepared in the fall;
- drainage should be poured onto the bottom (gravel, broken brick, pieces of large branches), then fill the hole with a mixture of soil with humus, peat and sand;
- lower the seedling into the hole, carefully straightening the roots and making sure that the root collar is 5–7 cm above the surface;
- fill the hole with the prepared soil mixture, water the apricot with a bucket of water, mulch the soil with earth or sawdust.
Subsequent care of the crop
Caring for Black Velvet apricots does not require excessive effort.
Trim the tree as follows:
- up to 5 years of age, the crown is cut to give it a convenient shape (“bowl”);
- further pruning is carried out in autumn and spring; it is of a regulatory nature and serves to prevent the crown from becoming dense and to prevent diseases.
It is recommended to water the Black Velvet apricot 4-5 times a month from May to June. One adult tree will need 1-2 buckets of water at a time. It is recommended to stop watering from mid-summer to prevent a protracted period of shoot growth.
Black Velvet, like any apricot, needs moderate feeding. The general rules for applying fertilizers are:
- in early spring it is recommended to enrich the soil with nitrogen-containing complexes;
- at the beginning of autumn, the best feeding option is superphosphate along with potassium salt;
- In late autumn, organic matter is added to the soil.
Despite its high cold resistance, Black Velvet is still recommended to be covered for winter.Young seedlings can be hidden under a dome of coniferous branches. It is enough to wrap older tree trunks with spandex or paper.
In the fall, it is recommended to pollinate still green leaves with wood ash powder - this will speed up the leaf fall process to better prepare the tree for winter.
To avoid sunburn, the trunks are covered with a layer of garden whitewash enriched with copper sulfate. They do this twice a year: at the end of autumn and at the beginning of spring.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Although Black Velvet is highly resistant to many fungal diseases, you should know how to deal with the main ones:
Disease | Manifestations | Prevention and control |
Moniliosis | Shoots, leaves and flowers dry out in the spring and become brown, as if “burned.” Fruits rot in summer | Collection and destruction of affected fruits and leaves, destruction of diseased shoots. Treatment before and after flowering with Kaptan-50, Topsin-M. |
Clusterosporiasis | Round spots on reddish leaves | |
Cytosporosis | Fading shoot tips, brown streaks on the bark | Removing affected branches. Spraying for prevention in spring and autumn with Bordeaux mixture |
Insect pests can cause considerable damage to the apricot tree and fruits:
Pest | Appearance and activity | Prevention and control |
Gall midge | A gray-yellow six-legged “mosquito” whose larvae, gnawing into the buds, bore numerous passages in the wood | Preventive spraying with Fufanon, Karbofos. Timely destruction of affected parts |
Fruit moth | Brown caterpillars with yellow stripes on their sides.Damages buds, ovaries and leaves of stone fruit trees | Preventive spraying with the same preparations as against gall midges. Glue belts on trunks for catching butterflies and caterpillars |
Shy leaf roller | Brown warty caterpillars skeletonizing fruit peel and leaves | Preventive spraying with the same preparations as against gall midges |
Conclusion
Apricot Black Velvet is an interesting hybrid variety of black apricot, which has adopted the high winter hardiness and resistance to disease from the cherry plum. The unusual appearance of the fruit, along with simple care requirements, attracts the attention of farmers. However, not very large fruits and their tart and sour taste often push gardeners to opt for ordinary apricots.
