Content
Apricot Tsarsky is one of the most successful results of hybridization of this fruit crop. Typically, breeding work lasts for decades, and its results in rare cases completely satisfy the wishes of the authors. No such problem arose with this variety; the main tasks - obtaining a tasty, early-ripening and frost-resistant variety were successfully completed.
History of selection
The Tsarsky variety was bred in 1986 by the famous breeder L.A. Kramarenko, in collaboration with the head of the department of the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.K. Skvortsov. For more than 50 years, two famous botanists have been breeding various varieties of apricots, adapted to the conditions of the Central region, and it is to this breeding work that gardeners owe the appearance of Tsar’s apricots in the Moscow region.
The Main Botanical Garden is where the variety was bred
The new variety was obtained through open pollination of seedlings, which was carried out over several generations.The final work on the hybrid was completed within 15 years, and in 2004 the Tsarsky apricot variety was included in the State Register for the Central Region. According to reviews of many summer residents, the best variety of apricot for the Moscow region is Tsarsky.
Description of culture
Tsarsky apricot trees grow no more than 3.5-4 meters in height. Growth rates in the Moscow region are low. The plant produces few shoots. The degree of their branching is considered average, however, the first 4-5 years of the tree’s life can be high due to the large amount of nitrogen fertilizers used during planting.
Starting from the age of five, the growth rate of shoots normalizes, and the crown of the tree takes on an oval shape, flattened in the horizontal direction. The crown density is low, so the time between pruning mature trees can be reduced by half compared to the standard.
The fruits of the hybrid are relatively small. Their size is about 3.5 cm in diameter, and their weight ranges from 20 to 22 g. The shape of the fruit is round or oval (slightly elongated lengthwise). The skin of the fruit is moderately thick, with clearly visible pubescence. Her color is yellow; red blush can occupy up to 30% of the fruit area. Below is a photo of the Tsarsky apricot.
The fruits have dense orange pulp. The separation of the skin from the pulp is easy, without tearing the latter. The apricot pit is small, its share in the mass of the fruit is about 10%. Just like the skin, it separates well from the pulp.
The pulp of the Tsarsky apricot variety contains many substances that have a positive effect on the human body. These include vitamins, organic acids, and microelements.In particular, among the plants in our climate, this apricot variety has the maximum concentration of potassium.
100 g of pulp contains:
- sugars – 7.9 g;
- titratable acids – 1.6 g;
- potassium – 0.315 g;
- other dry substances – 16.1 g.
Characteristics
The set of characteristics of the Tsarsky variety can be called successful. The crop combines acceptable yield, short ripening time and good winter hardiness.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The plant's drought tolerance is quite high. Theoretically, the Tsarsky variety can do without watering at all, and will only have enough moisture obtained from natural precipitation. In the event of a prolonged absence of precipitation, the hybrid is able to wait out a drought lasting up to 2.5 months without any problems.
The plant has high winter hardiness. The bark of the Tsarsky variety tolerates alternating thaws and frosts well, practically without cracking. The frost resistance of Tsarsky apricot is also excellent. The plant can withstand frosts down to -40°C.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The question of whether the Tsarsky apricot is self-fertile or not should not worry the summer resident. Kramarenko and Skvortsov, when breeding plants for the Central region, tried to obtain exclusively self-fertile varieties that did not require pollinators of another species. And the Tsarsky variety was no exception: it is self-fertile, that is, it is pollinated by pollen of its own variety.
The flowering period of the plant occurs at the beginning of April. Since this is very early in the flowering time, insects cannot be used as pollinators for the Royal apricot. Pollination occurs with the help of wind. Since the Royal apricot is a monoecious plant, one tree is enough for its pollination (so-called self-pollination).The size of the flowers of this variety is 4 cm. These are quite large flowers, one might say, the largest in Russia.
No matter how good the characteristics of the Tsarsky apricot are, a feature of plants of this variety is the vulnerability of the flowers to frost in early and mid-spring. Since flowering occurs early, a large percentage of the ovaries may die. To prevent this, it is recommended to cover the tree during flowering with film or even just thick fabric folded in half. Such protection will not interfere with pollination, but will help preserve most of the ovaries.
Fruit ripening occurs in early August. With fewer sunny days or colder summers, this period may shift by 1-2 weeks.
Productivity, fruiting
The description of the Tsarsky apricot, which is given in botanical reference books, indicates an average yield of 25-40 kg per tree. The reality may be more modest. In some areas, during the mass cultivation of apricots of this variety, there was a significant drop in yield to 7.5 kg per tree. True, we were talking about completely unfavorable growing conditions and the first or second years of fruiting.
On average, reaching the yield indicated in the “passport” is achieved by the 5-6th year of the plant’s life or by 2-3 years of fruiting. According to reviews of the Tsarsky apricot variety, the yield of an adult plant remains virtually unchanged from season to season and can be increased or decreased due to a more rational formation of the tree crown.
Area of application of fruits
The pulp of the fruit, despite its density, is quite juicy and tender. It is very tasty and aromatic. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour. The aroma is strong and pleasant.According to the tasting scale, the taste of this variety is rated as 4.5 out of 5 possible.
The fruits have universal uses. They are consumed both fresh, just picked from the plant, and in various canned foods: compotes, juices and preserves. The fruits can also be used for freezing.
The Tsarsky variety has good keeping quality and transportability. When stored in the refrigerator, the fruits retain their taste for two weeks.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to diseases and pests. Even in the absence of any preventive measures, fungal diseases occur only in very rainy years or in the absence of plant care at all.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the Royal Apricot:
- excellent taste of the fruit;
- the fruits are well preserved for a long time and have universal use;
- good resistance to diseases and pests;
- high frost resistance and winter hardiness;
- self-fertile and self-pollinating variety (only one tree is enough for growth and fruiting).
Disadvantages of the variety:
- relatively small fruit size;
- low yield in the first years of fruiting;
- Fruiting largely depends on the degree of preservation of flowers during late spring frosts.
Landing Features
As such, this variety does not have any special planting features. You should follow the usual methods for planting this crop in the middle zone.
Recommended timing
Planting of Tsarsky apricot in the Moscow region is carried out in the spring (the first ten days of April) or in the fall (no later than the second ten days of October).
Choosing a suitable location
The plant needs a flat, sunny area with protection from the wind.It is better not to plant apricots in the lowlands (danger of cold air) and on the southwestern slopes (high rates of vegetation interfere with normal fruiting). The soil should be fertile and loose. Groundwater is not higher than 1 m.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
Apricot does not get along well with most crops in the Central region. Normally, it tolerates proximity only to dogwood and some medium-sized vegetables. The proximity of apricots to the following crops is strictly unacceptable: cherries, walnuts, currants, raspberries, almost all Solanaceae and Roses.
Landing algorithm
The distance between trees when planting should be at least 4 m (both in a row and between rows). Planting is carried out in holes 50-70 cm deep. A peg is installed in the hole for gartering a young seedling. 10 kg of humus and 1 kg of superphosphate are placed at the bottom of the pit. The seedling is placed in a hole, sprinkled with soil, tied to a peg and watered with 20 liters of water. The grafting site is located 10-15 cm above the ground level.
Subsequent care of the crop
Growing Tsarsky apricot is quite standard. Regular watering (every 2-4 weeks, 20-30 liters per tree) followed by loosening the soil. Feed twice per season. In spring, per 1 sq. m is entered:
- 4 kg of humus;
- nitrogen fertilizers 6 g;
- phosphorus 5 g;
- potassium 8 g.
In autumn - 10 kg of humus per tree.
Preparation for winter involves pruning the tree and whitewashing the trunk. The latter will also help protect the tree from rodents. In case of cold winters, covering with a thin film is recommended. The soil within a radius of 1 m from the trunk is mulched with leaves, straw, peat or humus; mulch thickness – 20 cm.
The variety requires regular but infrequent pruning.The basic rule is simple: do not allow the crown to thicken excessively and do not allow the upper shoots to outstrip the lower shoots in growth.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Disease | Fighting methods | Prevention |
Moniliosis | After flowering, use a solution of Horus (3 g per 10 liters of water). When fruits are forming, use Bordeaux mixture 3%. Before harvesting - a solution of the drug Switch (5 g per 10 liters of water). | Spraying before flowering with 3% Bordeaux mixture. |
Clusterosporiasis | Destruction of the affected parts of the plant. Preparations: Horus (3 g per 10 liters of water) or Bordeaux mixture 4%; You can use copper sulfate 1%. | Spraying with the same preparations every 2 weeks. |
Vertical wilting | Bordeaux mixture 3%. | Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. |
Pest | Fighting methods | Prevention |
Plum aphid | Acaricides, for example, Fitoverm. Treat the affected areas with a 1% soap solution. | Destruction of fallen leaves and weeds around the tree. Fighting ants. Whitewashing the trunk. |
codling moth | Chlorophos 0.2% | Cleaning bark from cocoons and caterpillars. The use of adhesive belts. Butterfly traps made from sweet syrup and yeast. |
Sawfly | Insecticides of contact-intestinal type, for example, Decis. | Regular loosening of the soil. Destruction of the affected shoots. The use of adhesive belts. |
Conclusion
Apricot Tsarsky is one of the best varieties adapted for cultivation in the Central region. The crop has an average yield that is stable from season to season. The low, medium-sized crown makes it easier to process the tree and collect fruit.
Reviews
Below are reviews of Tsarsky apricot in the Moscow region.
