Content
New varieties of apricot are becoming widespread in central Russia and beyond. One of them is the Saratov Rubin variety, bred by a domestic breeder.
History of selection
Apricot Saratov Rubin is a new industrial variety. The author of the variety is Alexander Mikhailovich Golubev, founder of a private breeding nursery in Saratov.
A.M. Golubev has been breeding stone fruit and nut crops for over 30 years. The main task of the breeder was to adapt southern plants to the conditions of the middle zone. In addition to apricots, the nursery grows peach, almond, pear, plum, apple, honeysuckle, lemon, and pomegranate. Particular attention is paid to the frost resistance of varieties, yield, taste and presentation of fruits.
In 2010 A.M. Golubev submitted an application to include the Saratov Ruby in the state register.Since 2015, the variety has been listed in the State Register under number 8952988.
Description of culture
Saratov apricot is a medium-sized tree with a spherical spreading crown. The tree grows quickly after planting. It reaches a height of 4-5 m. The bark is rough and brown.
The shoots are medium long, straight, brown in color. The leaves are rich green in color, wide, rounded, pointed at the ends, with a smooth shiny surface. The leaf blade is concave. In spring, apricot produces white, single, medium-sized flowers.
Characteristics of apricots of the Saratov Rubin variety:
- medium sizes;
- weight 40-45 g;
- elliptical shape;
- light orange color;
- rough skin with pubescence;
- orange pulp of medium juiciness;
- juice without pronounced color.
Photo of apricot Saratov Rubin:
The fruits of Saratov Ruby have a sweet and sour taste. Taste rating: 4.3 points. The seeds are small, elongated, and easily separated from the pulp. The fruits contain 14.2% dry matter, 8.5% sugar, 1.5% acid, 1.33% pectin, 12.3 mg vitamin C.
The best regions for growing the Saratov Rubin apricot are: Lower Volga (Saratov, Astrakhan, Kalmykia, Volgograd) and the North Caucasus.
Characteristics
When choosing an apricot variety, take into account its frost resistance, the timing of fruit ripening, and resistance to frost and disease.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Saratov Rubin variety tolerates drought and lack of watering well. The tree is characterized by high frost resistance of wood: about -42 ° C. Fruit buds can withstand frosts down to -36 °C.
Apricot is resistant to heating. The variety has a long dormant period. The tree does not freeze even after the February thaw.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
For gardeners, it matters whether the Saratov ruby apricot is self-fertile or not. The variety is partially self-fertile. To obtain a high yield, it is recommended to plant Dessertny Golubeva and Lakomka varieties next to each other, which have good taste.
For the northern regions, the originator recommends using frost-resistant pollinators for apricot Saratov ruby: Manitoba 604, Zhigulevsky souvenir, Northern Triumph. Selection work is underway at the Golubev nursery, which in a few years will make it possible to obtain reliable pollinators for the variety.
The fruits ripen early. The harvest is harvested from mid-July. The fruits have a high shelf life. At a temperature of +5 °C, fruits are stored for a month.
Productivity, fruiting
If you follow the rules for planting and caring for the Saratov Ruby apricot, from 95 to 115 kg of fruit are removed from one tree. The variety begins to bear fruit early (3-4 years after planting). Productivity is high and stable.
Area of application of fruits
Fruits of the Saratov variety of universal use. They are consumed fresh and used to make preserves, jam, compote, marshmallows and dried apricots.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to moniliosis. Flowering branches are not susceptible to monilial blight, and fruits are not susceptible to fruit rot. No signs of cleasterosporia blight were found on the fruits, so they always have a good presentation.
Due to its high resistance to diseases, numerous treatments of wood with chemicals are not required. Therefore, apricot is suitable for growing on an industrial scale to obtain environmentally friendly products.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of Saratov apricot:
- high frost resistance;
- self-fertility;
- early maturation;
- resistance to diseases.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- mediocre taste of fruits;
- a tall spreading tree that takes up a lot of space on the site.
Landing Features
Apricots are planted in a timely manner. Be sure to prepare a planting hole and improve the quality of the soil.
Recommended timing
In cold regions, apricot is planted in the spring after the snow melts. Work is carried out until the buds open.
In warm climates, planting begins in late autumn after leaf fall. The seedling will have time to take root before cold weather. In the middle zone, both spring and autumn planting are allowed.
Choosing a suitable location
The place for the apricot must meet a number of conditions:
- lack of strong wind;
- good natural light;
- light loamy soil;
- neutral or slightly alkaline soil reaction.
The crop does not like acidic soil, so liming is done before planting. Apricots are not planted in lowlands where cold air and moisture accumulate.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
It is not recommended to plant Saratov apricot next to certain crops:
- cherry;
- peach;
- Apple tree;
- pear;
- Walnut;
- raspberries, currants.
Apricots are removed from apple trees and other tall trees at a distance of more than 4 m.
You can plant spring flowers under the tree: primrose, tulips or daffodils. Perennial herbs grow well in the shade of trees.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For planting, annual seedlings of the Saratov Rubin variety are used. Before purchasing, evaluate the condition of the root system and shoots. Choose plants without mold, cracks or other defects.Before planting, the roots of the tree are shortened slightly and placed in a mash made of clay and mullein.
Landing algorithm
How to plant Saratov Rubin apricot:
- In autumn you need to dig a hole measuring 70x70 cm and 80 cm deep.
- A drainage layer of fine crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the pit.
- Fertile soil is mixed with humus in a 2:1 ratio, then 2 kg of ash and 0.5 kg of superphosphate are added.
- A part of the earth is transferred into the hole and a seedling is placed on top.
- The roots of the plant are covered with the remaining soil.
- The tree is watered with warm water.
Subsequent care of the crop
Apricots are fed several times a season. In spring, the soil is watered with a solution of mullein or urea. When the fruits ripen, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are added to the soil.
If there is a drought in May or June, then the apricot is watered with warm water. The tree needs moisture during the flowering period for the formation of ovaries.
The Saratov Rubin apricot is pruned in late autumn after leaf fall. Dry, broken and weak branches must be eliminated. Shoots older than 3 years are also cut out, as they lose their ability to produce crops.
To protect the tree from pests, its trunk is tied with roofing felt or mesh for the winter. Young seedlings are insulated with lutrasil, which acts as insulation.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The most dangerous diseases of apricots are given in the table:
Type of disease | Symptoms | Ways to fight | Preventive measures |
Brown spot | Small yellow spots on leaves that grow quickly and turn brown. | Treating wood with copper sulfate solution. |
|
Curly | Yellow and orange blisters appear on the leaves, and over time the leaves fall off. | Spraying with copper-based products. |
Apricot pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Ways to fight | Preventive measures |
Aphid | The leaves on the apricot are curled, and black small insects accumulate on the leaves. | Treatment of trees with Fitoverm or Karbofos |
|
codling moth | The caterpillars bite into the fruits, which begin to crumble. | Spraying with Chlorophos. |
Conclusion
Saratov Rubin is a worthy productive apricot variety. It can be grown in private gardens and on an industrial scale, and the fruits are suitable for processing.
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