Content
Apricot plum is a fast-growing hybrid of apricot and plum. A variety with a rich history has become a favorite of many summer residents and commercial gardeners. Unpretentiousness in care, excellent taste of fruits, high frost resistance - these are significant advantages of the Apricot plum over other fruit crops.
History of variety selection
The history of the variety begins in the last century. For 30 years, US breeder Floyd Zeiger conducted experiments to obtain a new variety. Crossing a plum with an apricot gave the result in the form of a hybrid - apricot plum.
Description of Apricot plum
Apricot plum has several subspecies:
- Pluot;
- Plumcat;
- Aprium.
Each variety is resistant to harsh winters. Their cultivation area extends to the northern and southern regions.
The trees of the hybrid are not tall - no more than 2.5 m. The crown is in many ways similar to a plum tree.Very often it has a drooping shape with medium-density foliage. The plant blooms with white flowers in early April. The fruits ripen by July-August.
Each variety of Apricot plum has common features in the description of the fruit:
- Large size. One fruit weighs from 30 to 70 g.
- Oval shaped plums.
- Green-pink, yellow or purple skin with a waxy coating.
- The fruit pulp is particularly juicy and dense.
Characteristics of the variety
The characteristics of the Apricot plum variety affect the abundance of the harvest and the health of the hybrid. They must be taken into account when choosing a planting site, care procedures, and preventive measures.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety is characterized by a high level of frost resistance. The hybrid can withstand significant temperature drops. It also tolerates warm climates and hot summers well.
Plum pollinators
Apricot hybrid is self-fertile. To improve the harvest, you can plant pollinators nearby - trees of similar varieties:
- Altanta;
- Renklod Kolkhozny;
- Plum Michurinskaya, others.
Productivity and fruiting
Apricot plum is a fast-growing hybrid. Fruiting occurs 2-3 years after planting. The yield increases as the variety matures. Blooms in April. Ripe fruits are picked in August-September. Up to 50 kg of fruits are collected from one tree.
Scope of drains
The sweet taste of plums makes them an excellent dessert. Jams, preserves, compotes, and juice are made from them.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The hybrid of plum and apricot is practically not susceptible to disease and is not affected by insects. It is necessary to carry out preventive measures to completely avoid harmful effects.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Numerous advantages of the variety make the Apricot diploid hybrid popular among other garden crops:
- High level of frost resistance. This allows the variety to be planted in the northern regions.
- Precociousness. The plum bears its first harvest a couple of years after planting. The fruits ripen in mid-summer.
- Large fruits. The weight of one plum is up to 70 g. The taste is dessert. This makes the variety attractive for private and commercial gardening.
- Fruits are sources of many useful substances and vitamins.
Apricot plum has distinctive features:
- The pulp of the fruit contains a special enzyme. It provokes the development of stomach ulcers. You should not overuse plums on an empty stomach.
- Fruits do not retain their presentation during transportation.
- Plums cannot be stored for long periods of time. The picked ripe fruit must be consumed as soon as possible.
Landing Features
Planting a plum hybrid is not a labor-intensive process. It is enough to choose the right place in the garden plot and follow the steps of planting a young seedling.
Recommended timing
Work with Apricot plum seedlings is carried out in early spring. Planting during this period ensures maximum rooting of the plant. Before the onset of cold weather, the young tree will have time to get stronger and get used to the local climate. In regions with mild, warm weather conditions, planting can be done in the fall.
Choosing a suitable location
Choosing a place for a hybrid seedling is a responsible task. It must meet certain criteria:
- Plentiful lighting throughout the day.
- No drafts or wind blown.
- The soil for planting must be nutritious and airtight.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
Tall plants with spreading crowns should not be planted nearby. They will create additional shade for a short tree, which can affect the quality of the fruit. Similar varieties, apple trees, and evergreen shrubs will have a beneficial effect on planting.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The choice of planting materials should be approached responsibly and in advance. A set of gardening tools must include:
- A shovel for holes.
- Rake for loosening.
- Wooden stake, rope for fastening and fixing the seedling.
- Drainage.
- Fertilizers.
- Water for irrigation.
Landing algorithm
Planting the Apricot plum takes place in several stages. Each of them must be performed in accordance with the recommendations presented:
- Preparing the holes. Using a shovel, holes are formed. Depth – 80 cm, diameter – 80 cm.
- Drainage layer. A layer of brick and stone is laid out at the bottom of the planting hole.
- Feeding. After drainage, organic fertilizers, potash fertilizers, and superphosphate are poured into the pit.
- Planting a seedling. Its roots spread freely inside the hole. The cuttings are covered with earth, watered, and compacted.
- Additional reinforcement. The trunk of a young tree is tied with a soft rope to a wooden peg.
- An earthen roller is formed around the plum trunk. It will prevent the accumulation of liquid in the roots of the plant.
Aftercare for plums
When caring for the Apricot plum, it is necessary to take into account some nuances. They affect the health of the planting and a bountiful harvest:
- Watering. The hybrid does not like stagnant liquid. It is important to monitor the groundwater level. After each watering, the soil under the plant is thoroughly loosened.
- Formative pruning. To create a neat crown, the cutting of branches begins at the young tree.
- Feeding. It is carried out in three stages. Before flowering, nitrogen fertilizers are applied. Before fruit ripening, micro-feeding is carried out. In the fall, organic matter is added.
- Disease prevention. Regularly carry out preventive measures against diseases and pests. Cutting dry branches, destroying root shoots, and regularly cleaning the garden plot are mandatory procedures for maintaining plum immunity.
- Shelter for the winter. For a frost-resistant variety, it is enough to whiten the trunk with a solution of lime, cover the roots with pine needles and sawdust. In autumn, the soil under the plum tree is dug up.
Diseases and pests, control methods and prevention
Disease/pest | Description | Control method/Prevention |
Hole spot | Spots form on leaves, branches, and fruits. Subsequently they turn into holes. Leaves and fruits fall off. The branches are drying up | Before flowering, 2 weeks after it, the tree is treated with Bordeaux mixture. Affected areas must be completely destroyed |
Coccomycosis | Red spots appear on the upper side of the leaf. The inside is covered with a white coating. Leaves fall, fruits dry up | Mandatory destruction of fallen leaves, branches, and fruits. The plum is sprayed with “Hom”, Bordeaux solution |
Fruit mite | The foliage turns brown and falls off. The tree doesn't bloom | As a preventive measure, you should get rid of the old bark.In case of massive pest infestation, the plum is treated with chemical insecticides |
Conclusion
Apricot plum is a unique hybrid of two popular fruit varieties. He inherited the distinctive features of the two species. The variety is popular in the garden environment. Its large, sweet fruits are widely used in the preparation of delicious desserts. The unpretentious tree is grown by amateur summer residents and commercial gardeners.
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