Content
- 1 History of selection
- 2 Description of culture
- 3 Characteristics
- 4 Landing Features
- 5 Planting and caring for Red-cheeked apricot in the Moscow region in spring
- 6 How to grow Red-cheeked apricot in the Urals
- 7 Growing Red-cheeked apricot in the Middle Zone
- 8 Harvesting and processing
- 9 Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
- 10 Conclusion
- 11 Reviews
Red-cheeked apricot is one of the common varieties growing in the southern part of Russia. It is valued for its good taste, early fruiting and disease resistance.
History of selection
Accurate information about the origin of the variety has not been preserved. Specialists from the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, located in Crimea, worked on it.
It is believed that the Red-cheeked variety was obtained by cross-pollinating a wild form of apricot from Central Asia, which has reddish fruits. In 1947, tests were carried out, according to the results of which the variety was included in the State Register.
Many hybrids have been obtained on the basis of the Red-cheeked variety: apricot Son of Red-cheeked, Amur, Seraphim, Northern Triumph, Khabarovsk.
Description of culture
Red-cheeked is a vigorous variety with a round, spreading crown. The height of the tree reaches 4 m. The number of shoots is average, the crown is not prone to thickening. The lifespan of a tree is up to 50 years.
Characteristics of the Red-cheeked apricot variety:
- large sizes;
- average weight 50 g;
- rounded shape, laterally compressed;
- narrow ventral suture, deepening near the base;
- golden-orange surface with a reddish blush;
- the skin is thin and velvety, but quite dense;
- the pulp is dense, tender, light orange in color;
- average fruit juiciness;
- good sweet and sour taste;
- a large stone that is easily separated from the pulp.
Photo of the Red-cheeked apricot tree:
Apricot is recommended for growing in forest-steppe and steppe zones. In Russia, the variety is grown in the North Caucasus (Dagestan, Ingushetia, Krasnodar, Rostov, Stavropol) and in the Lower Volga region (Kalmykia, Astrakhan).
Characteristics
When choosing the Red-cheeked variety, take into account its winter hardiness, productivity and self-fertility.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Red-cheeked variety is resistant to drought and can withstand a long absence of watering. The tree requires moisture only when the ovaries are forming, so it is recommended to water during flowering.
The frost resistance of the Red-cheeked apricot is below average. When grown in the middle zone and colder regions, there is a high risk of the tree freezing.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The variety is highly self-fertile and does not require pollinator planting. The tree can become a pollinator for other varieties that bloom at similar times (Orlik Stavropol, Reklamny, Stavropol Youth).
Thanks to its late flowering, Red-cheeked apricot does not suffer from spring frosts. The fruits ripen in the middle period. The harvest is harvested in the third decade of July.
Productivity, fruiting
Apricot bears its first harvest 3-4 years after planting. Up to 10 buckets of fruit are removed from one tree.
The yield of the Red-cheeked variety is unstable. After a productive year, the tree needs rest.
Apricots are harvested in several stages. After ripening, the fruits do not stay on the branches for long and fall off.
Photo of red-cheeked apricot:
Area of application of fruits
The fruits of the Red-cheeked variety have universal use. Due to their sweet taste, they are consumed fresh, and also used to make compote, juice, preserves, marshmallows, and jam.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Krasnoshcheky variety is characterized by average resistance to diseases and pests. The risk of fungal diseases increases in high humidity conditions. Rainy weather and fogs can cause the development of moniliosis.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits of planting Red-cheeked apricot:
- precociousness;
- does not require a pollinator;
- high productivity;
- good taste of fruits;
- not subject to spring cold snaps.
The main disadvantages of the variety:
- frost resistance is below average;
- dependence of yield on climatic conditions;
- susceptibility to diseases when grown in lowlands.
Landing Features
Apricots are recommended to be planted at a certain time. For planting, prepare a hole and add useful substances to the soil.
Recommended timing
In southern latitudes, the crop is planted in the fall at the beginning of October. Before frost sets in, the plant will have time to take root.
Spring planting of Red-cheeked apricot is practiced in cold regions.Work is carried out after the snow melts, until the buds swell.
In the middle zone, both autumn and spring planting are performed. When choosing dates, weather conditions are taken into account. If a cold snap is predicted earlier, it is better to leave the work until spring.
Choosing a suitable location
The place for growing Red-cheeked apricot is chosen taking into account a number of characteristics:
- location on a plain or hill;
- light soil that allows moisture to pass through well;
- no stagnation of water;
- neutral or slightly alkaline soil reaction.
The culture prefers sunny areas. If the soil is acidified, you need to add lime before planting.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
Apricot does not tolerate the proximity of fruit and berry crops:
- raspberries;
- currants;
- apple trees;
- pears;
- hazel;
- plums;
- cherries.
Several varieties of apricots are planted in one area. The crop is removed from trees and shrubs by at least 4-5 m. Shade-tolerant grasses are planted under the tree.
Selection and preparation of planting material
It is better to purchase seedlings of the Red-cheeked variety at a nursery. For planting, choose annual plants with a developed root system. The tree is first inspected for damage and cracks.
Before planting, the roots of the seedling are placed in a mash of water and clay. The optimal consistency is liquid sour cream.
Landing algorithm
How to plant Red-cheeked apricot is indicated in the instructions:
- First, a hole measuring 60x60 cm and 70 cm deep is dug.
- Fertile soil and compost are mixed in equal proportions, 400 g of superphosphate and 2 liters of wood ash are added.
- The resulting soil is poured into the hole.
- 3 weeks after the soil shrinks, they begin to prepare the seedling.
- The plant is placed in a hole and the roots are covered with soil.
- The soil in the tree trunk circle is compacted and watered abundantly.
Subsequent care of the crop
Caring for the Red-cheeked apricot includes fertilizing and pruning. In spring, trees are watered with infusion of mullein or chicken droppings. After flowering, phosphorus-potassium compounds are added to the soil.
Pruning of Red-cheeked apricot is carried out in autumn or spring. Dried and broken shoots must be eliminated. Be sure to prune branches older than 3 years, as they produce minimal yield.
To protect against freezing, the soil in the tree trunk circle is mulched with humus. The tree trunk is tied with mesh or roofing felt to protect it from rodents.
Planting and caring for Red-cheeked apricot in the Moscow region in spring
In the Moscow region, apricots are planted on the south side of a building or fence. This way the tree will receive more heat.
For planting, seedlings are selected on cherry plum or plum rootstock. Such plants have a stable root system. According to reviews of the Red-cheeked apricot in the Moscow region, the tree needs protection from freezing.
In spring, trees are watered with preparations containing nitrogen. When the fruits ripen, potassium must be added, which affects the taste.
How to grow Red-cheeked apricot in the Urals
Planting and caring for the Red-cheeked apricot in the Urals has its own characteristics. Typically, the taste qualities of Ural apricots differ from fruits grown in the south.
The Urals are characterized by low temperatures in winter, spring frosts, sharp temperature fluctuations, and frequent precipitation. Increased attention is paid to protecting trees from fungal diseases.
To prevent the buds from being damaged by spring cold snaps, they are fumigated the day before with smoke from burning straw. After the snow melts in the Urals, water remains in the soil for a long time.Therefore, before planting, a drainage layer of crushed stone is installed at the bottom of the pit.
Growing Red-cheeked apricot in the Middle Zone
The Red-cheeked variety is successfully grown in the Middle Zone. To obtain a high yield, it is important to choose the right place for planting, apply fertilizers and trim shoots.
The main problem for gardeners in the Middle Zone when growing apricots is spring frosts. To prevent the tree from freezing, special attention is paid to preparing for winter. The trunk is treated with lime and hilled, and the soil is mulched with humus.
Harvesting and processing
The late Red-cheeked apricot variety is harvested in dry weather in the morning from 10 to 11 o'clock. In the evening, fruits are removed after 17:00. Fruits picked in cold or hot weather lose their taste and aroma.
It is best to remove unripe fruits. In this case, they ripen without problems in room conditions and are suitable for transportation.
Fruits are consumed fresh or processed. The fruits are canned or dried to produce dried apricots.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The most serious crop diseases are shown in the table:
Type of disease | Signs | Control measures | Prevention |
Monilial burn | Flowers and shoots turn brown and dry out. Cracks appear on the branches. | The affected parts are removed. Trees are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. |
|
Fruit rot | Brown spots and gray coating on fruits. | Treating trees with Horus or Condifor. |
The most dangerous crop pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Control measures | Prevention |
Gallica | The larvae, 2 mm long, gnaw out the buds. | Removal of damaged kidneys.Spraying plantings with Kemifos. |
|
Aphid | The pest feeds on the sap of the leaves, which leads to deformation of the shoots. | Spraying with Actofit. |
Conclusion
Red-cheeked apricot is a proven, productive variety that is resistant to diseases. The fruits have a good taste and a wide range of uses.
Reviews
