Content
Thanks to the efforts of breeders, apricot is no longer an exclusively heat-loving crop, suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions of Russia. Modern hybrids grow steadily and bear fruit in the regions of the middle zone, in Siberia and the Urals. The description of the New Jersey apricot variety, which combines unpretentiousness, hardiness and excellent fruit qualities, should arouse the interest of gardeners living in different climatic zones.
Description of the variety
Apricot "New Jersey" is the result of American selection, bred in 1971. The hybrid inherited the best varietal qualities of its parents: resistance to adverse weather conditions, early fruiting, large fragrant fruits with a dessert taste.
The early ripening variety "New Jersey" is a tree 4-5 m high with a slightly spreading, sparse crown.The leaf blades are painted bright green. The root system is strong, well branched, and not susceptible to root rot. Apricot is unpretentious to the soil, can grow on heavy, wet soils, and can withstand close groundwater. The photo shows a New Jersey apricot tree during the fruiting period.
The New Jersey variety can be grown in waterlogged soil
The fruits of the hybrid are large, round in shape, weighing 60-70 g, yellow, lightly pubescent, with a blurred blush on the sunny side. The stone is easily separated from the pulp, which has an average juiciness in composition. The taste of the fruit is sweet, aromatic, with a slight sourness. Fruits tolerate transportation well over long distances. The variety has a predisposition to premature fruit drop. An indicator of complete ripening of an apricot is the easy separation of the skin from the pulp.
The New Jersey tree, grown from seed, bears smaller fruit but is better adapted to the climatic growing conditions. Apricots grafted onto plums and cherry plums can be purchased in specialty stores and nurseries.
Characteristics
Apricot has large fruit (a rare quality for an early variety) and increased resistance to natural disasters. Thanks to the successful combination of varietal qualities, the New Jersey hybrid is suitable for cultivation in various regions of Russia, including the middle zone.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The variety is characterized by increased drought resistance at the genetic level.The New Jersey tree has sufficient frost resistance - the bark and shoots can withstand frosts down to -30 ˚С. Young plantings are prone to damping off during prolonged thaws.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Apricot "New Jersey" is a self-pollinating variety that can bear fruit even when planted alone. To increase productivity, it is recommended to plant 2-3 trees of different varieties within a radius of 10-15 m.
The hybrid blooms early - in early April. Blooming flowers and young ovaries often suffer from return frosts. Fruit ripening occurs depending on weather conditions: at the end of June or the first ten days of July.
Good fruit set ensures abundant fruiting
Productivity, fruiting
"New Jersey" is a fast-growing variety. The first apricots appear on a young tree in the second year. Sustained abundant fruiting begins at the age of 6-7 years. With good care, apricot has a high yield - one tree can produce up to 40-50 kg of fruit.
Area of application of fruits
The hybrid has versatility of use. It is perfect for fresh consumption. The dense pulp allows the New Jersey variety to be used in various methods of canning: preparing compotes and jam. Apricot is suitable for making jam, marmalade and making marshmallows.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The New Jersey hybrid has high immunity to many apricot diseases: bacterial spot, scab, root rot and viral pathologies. During rainy periods, apricot is often affected by moniliosis, which causes massive fruit drop, and clusterosporiasis. The tree's sweet fruit attracts codling moth and weevil caterpillars.In hot weather, aphids appear on young shoots.
Lightning-fast development of moniliosis can lead to the death of a tree
Advantages and disadvantages
The New Jersey hybrid has many positive characteristics:
- early onset of fruiting, self-pollinating;
- resistance to drought, high and low temperatures;
- excellent fruit set, high yield;
- large-fruited, excellent appearance and taste of fruits with a characteristic aroma;
- easy separation of the stone from the pulp;
- developed root system;
- unpretentiousness to growth on various soils, resistance to waterlogging;
- immunity to root rot disease;
- versatility of use, good transportability of fruits.
The negative qualities of the hybrid include high susceptibility to moniliosis, forcing gardeners to harvest before full maturity. In regions with a temperate climate, in cold weather, during early flowering, some flowers die.
Landing Features
Cultivating an apricot tree requires certain skills. The main condition for an excellent harvest is the choice of a good seedling and proper planting of the crop.
The fruit tree bears fruit annually if the rules of agricultural technology are observed.
Recommended timing
The “New Jersey” variety is planted in the southern regions mainly in the fall. In the middle zone, planting is possible in spring and autumn. In the Urals and Siberia, autumn frosts begin early; apricots are planted in the spring.
Spring planting is carried out when the average daily temperature reaches +5 ˚С (in different regions April or early May).In autumn, apricot is planted a month before the onset of persistent cold weather, so that the tree has time to take root.
Choosing a suitable location
Apricots are planted in a place where there is maximum light. The tree grows well near a wall or fence that protects the crop from winter winds and drafts. South-western slopes and hills are suitable for planting. Despite the undemanding nature of the New Jersey hybrid when it comes to soil, the plant develops well in fertile, air- and water-permeable soils with low acidity.
New Jersey fruits need to be harvested a little earlier than full ripening.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
The apricot root system releases toxic substances. Neighborhood with a tree negatively affects the growth of apple and pear trees, stone fruits, berries and vegetable crops. It is recommended to plant fruit trees at a distance of at least 4 m from the apricot. Bulbous primroses look good in the tree trunk: galanthus, crocuses, scylla. Marigolds planted in summer protect the fruit tree from insect pests.
Selection and preparation of planting material
2-3 year old trees less than one and a half meters high take root well in a new location. Seedlings are selected with the correct crown, a long central conductor and a strong root system.
Before planting, the roots of the seedling are immersed in a clay mash for 4-5 hours. Damaged twigs and roots are cut off from trees, and wound surfaces are treated with garden varnish.
Landing algorithm
The planting hole is prepared at least a month before planting so that the soil is well compacted.
Step-by-step instruction:
- The top fertile soil is removed and set aside. Dig a planting hole measuring 80 cm wide and deep.
- On clay soils, lowlands and places with groundwater, drainage is constructed from crushed stone or expanded clay 10-15 cm thick.
- Prepare a planting mixture consisting of the top layer of fertile soil, compost and sand in equal proportions. Mineral fertilizers are added to the substrate and mixed thoroughly. Fill the planting hole and wait a period of time for the voids in the soil to disappear.
- The seedling is placed in the center, the root system is evenly distributed, a stake is inserted and the plant is tied up. Add soil until the root collar is 5 cm above the ground.
The trunk circle is slightly deepened for convenient watering
Subsequent care of the crop
Sanitary pruning of apricots is carried out in the spring, before the sap begins to flow. At this time, the trees are fed with urea, in summer and autumn - with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Watering is carried out during dry periods, and the last time is moistened at the end of August. After the end of leaf fall, plant debris is removed and the tree trunk circle is dug up. Young seedlings are covered with spruce branches or lutrasil for the winter, and the lower part of the trunk is hilled.
Diseases and pests
"New Jersey" has low immunity to moniliosis - the most dangerous fungal pathology of apricot, affecting the above-ground part of the tree and the root system.The disease may develop at lightning speed - molinic burn.
Characteristic features:
- darkening and wilting of foliage;
- cracking of the bark, gum bleeding;
- wrinkling and dropping of fruits.
With the development of clasterosporia blight, brown spots with a crimson border appear on the leaves of New Jersey. Leaf blades become holey. The disease does not lead to the death of the tree, but weakens the plant and reduces the yield and marketability of the fruit.
Main tree pests:
- codling moth;
- black aphid;
- fruit weevil Goose;
- fruit striped moth.
The presence of diseases weakens the New Jersey tree, causing the fruit to fall off
Conclusion
The description of the New Jersey apricot variety indicates that the hybrid has many positive qualities and minor disadvantages. An unpretentious, drought-resistant and frost-resistant variety deserves the attention of experienced amateur gardeners and beginners, thanks to its high yield, early fruiting and excellent quality of fruits, and the ability to grow in different soils.
Reviews of New Jersey apricot varieties
