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Apricot Black Prince got its name because of the color of the fruit - it is the result of crossing with garden cherry plum. This variety has many advantages, including flavor characteristics and resistance to some adverse conditions. The success of growing a crop depends on proper planting and subsequent care.
History of selection
The development of the “Black Prince” was carried out by the Artemovsk research station in Bakhmut (Donetsk region). The main goal of selection was to obtain a variety that would be resistant to frost, but at the same time not lose its taste. Biologist Ivan Michurin tried to achieve this result.
Being a hybrid of apricot and plum, “Black Prince” met the expectations of its creators.Previously, black varieties of the crop were suitable only for the southern regions, but now such fruit trees can be grown even in the Urals and Siberia.
Description of the apricot variety Black Prince
The hybrid, with its compactness, is more reminiscent of a shrub. Its height does not exceed 3.5-4 m. Main characteristics of the variety:
- the crown is small and slightly thickened;
- growth strength is average;
- the appearance of single spines on the branches, they are usually formed in the 6th year of life;
- dark green bark;
- the leaves are small and oval, with finely serrated serrations along the edges;
- short petioles;
- abundant flowering;
- flowers are white or pale pink, small in size;
- fruit weight is 55-65 g, in the southern regions it can reach 90 g;
- the flesh is firm but juicy;
- dark burgundy thin skin, when fully ripe it becomes almost black, slightly pubescent;
- the bone is small in size and difficult to separate;
- the taste is sweet and sour with light tart notes, it combines the qualities of both apricot and plum, many people also feel a peach tint;
- characteristic apricot aroma.
The photo shows “Black Prince” apricots, picked shortly before full ripeness. After a few days, their skin would become darker.
The taste of “Black Prince” is sweet and sour, with a slight tartness
Characteristics
The characteristics of the "Black Prince" differ from the classic yellow apricot varieties. This concerns its resistance to adverse conditions, timing of flowering and fruiting.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
"Black Prince" has a long dormant period, so winter hardiness is higher compared to many apricot varieties. The culture survives frosts well down to -30 °C. This hybrid is not afraid of spring frosts due to its later flowering period.
“Black Prince” is not resistant to drought. Seedlings and young trees are especially sensitive to it.
Pollinators of the Black Prince apricot
The hybrid is self-fertile. It is still recommended to plant several pollinators nearby to increase the number of ovaries. Neighbors of the culture for this can be:
- apricots of other varieties;
- cherry plum;
- Russian or Chinese plum.
Flowering period and ripening time
Apricot begins to bloom at the end of May, when the threat of frost has already passed. This allows you to safely grow the crop in the central and northern regions.
This hybrid is early bearing. Despite the late flowering, apricots begin to ripen at the end of July. Depending on the growing region, fruiting dates may shift until mid-August.
Productivity, fruiting
Productivity is good. From one tree you can get up to 23-30 kg per season. Apricots are harvested in August-September. They survive transportation well if slightly immature.
To prevent the fruits of the “Black Prince” from falling off, the crop should be harvested shortly before full ripeness
Area of application of fruits
Black Prince apricots are good fresh, but it is better to use them for preparations. You can make compotes and juices, preserves and jams, freeze whole or sliced fruits.
Resistance to diseases and pests
When creating the Black Prince hybrid, breeders did a good job on its resistance to disease. The culture is rarely affected by bacterial infections and has high immunity to the main fungal infections:
- Clusterosporiasis, also called perforated spot;
- cytosporiasis (drying);
- moniliosis, or monilial burn (fruit rot).
Advantages and disadvantages
Many of the benefits of the Black Prince are due to its hybrid origin. The advantages of the variety are:
- good yield;
- high winter hardiness;
- late flowering, eliminating damage from spring return frosts;
- excellent immunity to bacterial and fungal infections;
- small size, making it easier to care for trees;
- large fruits;
- excellent taste;
- the versatility of using apricots;
- self-pollination;
- decorative during flowering.
“The Black Prince” is not without its negative features. Some of them are not terrible if harvested on time.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- The skin of overripe fruits cracks.
- Fully ripe apricots cannot be transported without major losses.
- The tree trunk circle needs mulching for the winter so that the roots of the tree do not freeze out.
- Over time, thorns appear on the branches, interfering with harvesting.
Planting and caring for apricot Black Prince
To grow the Black Prince apricot without problems and reap a good harvest, you need to choose the right place for the crop, prepare the soil and find healthy seedlings. It is important to plant them correctly and provide proper care.
Recommended timing
The Black Prince apricot can be planted in spring or autumn. The optimal periods are March-May and August-October. Autumn planting of the crop is suitable for temperate and southern zones; it is recommended in Stavropol and the Krasnodar Territory. In the northern regions, work should be carried out only in the spring.
Planting is best done on cloudy days; drizzling rain is welcome
Choosing a suitable location
To successfully grow the “Black Prince” you need to choose a place that meets the following requirements:
- Sunny and windless side, south if possible.
- It is better to choose a place protected by a fence, a building, or a natural hill.
- Fertile, light and well-drained soil.
- Upland without close groundwater.
- Soil acidity 6.5-7 pH.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
“Black Prince” is effectively placed next to cherry plum or plum. They promote cross-pollination, increasing yields. Apricot gets along well with various flowers.
Undesirable neighbors for the Black Prince hybrid are:
- pear;
- cherry;
- any nut trees;
- raspberries;
- peach;
- Rowan;
- currant;
- cherries;
- Apple tree.
The proximity of such trees and shrubs increases the risk of disease and pests. Another disadvantage of this neighborhood is the depletion of the soil, since crops need the same elements.
Selection and preparation of planting material
You can find apricot seedlings of different ages on sale, but it is better to choose 1-2 year old specimens. They must meet a number of requirements:
- height up to 1 m;
- an even and smooth trunk without damage or signs of disease;
- the presence of several branches with buds;
- a healthy root system is fibrous; fused specimens are unacceptable.
In the fall, when purchasing a cutting for the winter, it should be put in a cool place, the temperature should not exceed 5 °C. To preserve the roots, place them in a clay pot, dry them and wrap them in cloth or burlap.Seedlings should be stored in a dry box, the root system should be sprinkled with damp sand.
Landing algorithm
The planting hole for the “Black Prince” must be prepared at least a month in advance. If the work is planned for spring, then it is better to start preparations in the fall:
- Make a hole at least 0.5 m wide and deep.
- Pour a layer of expanded clay or river pebbles.
- Fill the remaining space with soil mixture - replace a third of the excavated soil with peat, add 1.5 kg of wood ash and 0.4 kg of superphosphate.
- Organize a film shelter for the winter.
The size of the planting hole should be larger than the root system
In the spring, dig up the chosen place, loosen it and make a hole again.
Apricot planting process:
- Inspect the seedling; it should not be damaged or diseased.
- Shorten the stalk. If there are leaves, remove them and cut the branches by a third. This measure delays the evaporation of moisture and protects during frosts.
- Carefully place the seedling in the hole and cover it with soil, compacting it.
- Drive a peg 20 cm from the cutting and tie the apricot to it.
- Create a mound around the perimeter of the hole to retain water.
- Water generously (2-3 buckets).
- Mulch the tree trunk circle. You can use compost instead.
Subsequent care of the crop
"Black Prince" requires comprehensive care. Its main measures are:
- Water regularly and moderately, preferably in the evening. As the crop matures, it needs less and less additional moisture. Watering is especially important in hot weather and drought, during the formation of ovaries, after harvesting and before wintering before frost.
- Loosen and weed the soil after rains and watering.
- Feed apricots with organic matter and mineral fertilizers for fruit and berry crops.Dosage and composition should be based on the age of the tree and the stage of vegetation. With active growth and ripening of fruits, potassium-phosphorus supplements are needed.
- Formative pruning should be done for the first 3-4 years.
- Regular preventive pruning with the removal of branches growing inside.
- Mulching the tree trunk circle after watering and for the winter.
- Treating a trunk 0.5 m high with a mixture of slaked lime, PVA glue and copper sulfate. This repels insects and rodents.
- In regions with cold winters or little snow cover, cover the tree with burlap or other breathable material.
You can look at the tree and learn about the experience of growing the Black Prince apricot in the video:
Diseases and pests
If agricultural practices are followed, the tree rarely gets sick. To prevent fungal diseases, it is recommended to spray the “Black Prince” with fungicides three times a season:
- Fitosporin-M also prevents bacterial infections.
- Fundazol.
- Vectra.
- Topaz.
- Speed
- Bordeaux mixture.
- Copper sulfate.
- Colloidal sulfur.
To prevent pest damage, insecticides must be systematically used. One of the enemies of apricot is aphid. You can fight it with the drugs “Akarin”, “Biotlin”, “Tanrek”, “Fitoverm”. Among the folk remedies, soap solution, infusion of zest, pine needles, garlic and chamomile are effective.
Aphids feed on the sap of young leaves, branches and buds and can destroy a tree
Conclusion
Apricot Black Prince is easy to care for, is not susceptible to disease, and bears large fruits of unusual color. The variety is a hybrid, and therefore has an original taste.The crop can bear fruit already in the 2nd year; it blooms and yields late.
