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Apricot Viking fully lives up to its name, since the tree is low-growing, but quite spreading. Has a powerful crown. Flowering occurs in the spring months. Viking apricot fruits have a delicate taste, juicy, and high nutritional value. In addition, they are characterized by large sizes and a beautiful bright yellow color.
History of selection
Viking apricot fruits are slightly larger than other types
Common apricot is a fruit tree of the Plum genus, Rosaceae family. The exact origin of this deciduous tree has not yet been established. Many are inclined to favor the version in favor of the Tien Shan Valley in China.However, the French biologist de Perderle noted in his writings in the 18th century that Armenia can be considered the probable homeland of the apricot, since it was from there that the fruits were first brought to Greece, and then came to Italy and spread throughout Europe. For a long time it was called the “Armenian apple”.
The apricot tree has survived in its wild form only in the western Caucasus, Tien Shan and the Himalayas. At the moment, it is actively grown in countries with temperate climates. In Russia, apricot is common in the Caucasus and southern regions.
Selection work on apricots was started by Michurin in the 19th century. Then the work was continued by scientists from the Voronezh region. They worked in several directions: they sowed seeds from random fruits and Michurin varieties, and the resulting specimens were crossed with European and Central Asian species. This is how many famous varieties were obtained.
As for the Viking apricot variety, this is the result of the fruitful work of employees of the All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Fruit Plants named after Michurin. The authors of this variety were the breeders Kruzhkov. Through many years of experience, they obtained a new full-fledged variety with strong immunity and a high degree of frost resistance.
Description of the Viking apricot variety
Viking reaches a height of up to 5 m, the crown is quite spreading and round in shape. The leaf blades are green, elongated with a pointed end, about 5-6 cm. The bark of the tree is brown with longitudinal cracking. Young shoots are reddish in color with small lentils.
The Viking apricot blooms before the foliage appears.
Flowering occurs in April. After this, the fruits ripen, rich yellow in color, quite large, fleshy and juicy with a pleasant taste and smell. The flowers are solitary on short stalks, about 25 mm in diameter. Petals are white and pink with veins.
Characteristics
Apricot Viking was created for cultivation in the central regions of Russia. Therefore, its main properties and characteristics differ from other varieties. It is often planted in small areas, since it is not possible to grow a large number of shrubs and trees.
Drought resistance
The Viking apricot variety has high heat and drought resistance. In this regard, it is unpretentious and does without regular watering in dry summers. However, it is important to remember that for full flowering, fruiting, and a good harvest, timely watering is required. To retain moisture, a mulching procedure is necessary.
Frost resistance of Viking apricot variety
Among the important advantages of the Viking is its frost resistance. The tree easily tolerates low temperatures down to -35 °C. However, this does not mean that the crop does not need protection from frost with special covering materials. In addition, apricot does not tolerate sharp fluctuations in temperature.
Viking apricot pollinators
This apricot variety belongs to the category of self-pollinating fruit crops. This means that they do not require pollinators as neighbors to bear fruit well. Despite this, for a high degree of productivity, experienced gardeners prefer to play it safe by planting donor plants on their plot. They have special requirements:
- compliance with the timing of ripening and flowering;
- high pollination rates;
- belonging to those plants that are capable of growing in certain soil and climatic conditions.
Under such conditions, the tree will show high productivity in the future.
Flowering period and ripening time
Apricot flowers are white or soft pink.
Flowering and ripening period depend on the climatic conditions in which the tree grows. But if we take the indicators for central Russia, then flowering occurs at the end of April - beginning of May. In this case, inflorescences appear on the tree much earlier than the green mass. During this period, apricot exudes a delicate aroma. Flowering ends after 10 days, and the fruiting period begins. The fruits form and then gain mass. Harvest time is in August.
Productivity, fruiting
Taking into account the climatic and weather conditions and proper care of the Viking tree, you can expect a good harvest. On a large scale, up to 13 tons of fruits are collected from 1 hectare of planting. However, beginners in gardening should understand that the first fruiting will occur no earlier than 4 years after planting the seedling.
Area of application of fruits
The Viking apricot fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals and is considered a dietary product because its calorie content is low. Homemade preparations are made from the fruits: preserves, jams, compotes, liqueurs and wines. In addition, apricot tastes good as a filling in pies and dumplings. The fruits are actively dried - in this form the product does not lose its value. Marzipan is made from the kernels located inside the seed.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Viking variety has good immunity and is very resistant to diseases and pests. But this is provided that the tree is properly cared for and that the basic rules were followed when planting. The occurrence of diseases and pest attacks can be prevented by carrying out preventive measures.
Advantages and disadvantages
Viking has long gained popularity among many gardeners, thanks to a number of positive qualities of this variety:
- frost resistance, drought resistance;
- high productivity;
- large fruits;
- self-pollinating;
- good taste and product quality;
- early fruiting.
Delicious pies are made from apricot, but more often jam and compotes are made from it
Like any other crop, the Viking variety has a number of disadvantages. Among them, fruits fall off when overripe, and regular pruning is noted, since the crown is large and dense. In addition, wood is demanding in terms of lighting.
Landing Features
The planting procedure must be approached carefully, since subsequent productivity, resistance to diseases and pests largely depend on it. Therefore, it is necessary to follow a number of rules that gardeners use.
Recommended timing
Viking is one of those fruit trees whose seedlings do not need to be planted in the fall. The culture is thermophilic, and it will be difficult for it to adapt to a cold environment. The best period for planting is the second half of April. At this time, there is no need to worry about night frosts, and the soil is already sufficiently warmed up. In southern Russia, planting can be done much earlier.
Choosing a suitable location
Viking requires a lot of light and does not tolerate drafts.Therefore, you need a site on a small hill with a groundwater depth of at least 2.5 m. Otherwise, the root system may suffer from excessive moisture.
Viking prefers loamy soil, black soil. It reacts extremely poorly to acidic soil, so the soil must be limed before planting.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?
In terms of neighborhood, apricot is a rather capricious crop. He will not tolerate an apple or pear tree next to him. It is believed that apricot will compete with stone fruit crops for moisture and nutritional components. Apple and pear trees can be negatively affected by toxic substances released by apricot roots. The tree will be negatively affected by conifers, black currants, and walnuts. Of all the fruit and berry plants, apricot can exist peacefully with raspberries and plums, of course, with proper care.
Selection and preparation of planting material
When choosing a Viking seedling, you need to pay attention to its quality. It is quite possible to determine this visually:
- bark without signs of damage;
- the color of the trunk and shoots is uniform, without spots;
- whole shoots, with buds;
- the base of the trunk at the roots is at least 10 mm;
- developed root system without signs of rotting and dry areas.
The presence of a graft at the root collar will indicate a varietal seedling.
The root collar of the apricot seedling should protrude 4 cm from the ground
No special preparation of the seedling is required. It is advisable to plant it immediately after purchase. Before planting, you need to immerse the roots in a solution of a root formation stimulator for several hours.
Landing algorithm
The Viking apricot planting algorithm is simple and looks like this:
- Dig a hole of the required size.
- Mix the soil from it with humus and add wood ash and superphosphate.
- Place drainage at the bottom.
- Next is a layer of nutrient mixture.
- Drive a wooden peg into the middle, which will serve as a support for the seedling.
- Place the seedling in the hole and carefully straighten the roots.
- Cover with soil, leaving 3-4 cm of the root collar on the surface.
- Compact the soil, then mulch.
- Tie the seedling to a stake.
Next, you can make a convenient ditch for watering the young tree.
Subsequent care of the crop
During the first years, the Viking seedling will require close attention and proper care. The gardener must provide the young apricot with watering, especially the first year, timely pruning to form the correct crown, and application of fertilizers. It is important to provide the crop with reliable protection from frost when cold weather sets in.
Diseases and pests
Despite the good resistance of the Viking variety to diseases and parasites, you should know the potential enemies of apricot. Among the pests that can annoy him are:
- aphid;
- leaf roller;
- codling moth.
Apricot moniliosis responds well to treatment with special drugs
Among the diseases, apricot is susceptible to leaf spot, fruit rot, and bacterial cancer. Diseases and parasites can be combated with the help of special medications.
Conclusion
Apricot Viking is a relatively new variety of fruit tree, but has quickly gained popularity. Recommended for cultivation in central Russia, as it is resistant to frost and drought.Viking has good immunity, which allows the plant to withstand attacks from parasites and resist diseases.
